All the major newspapers reported that a very heavy westerly gale had swept across the south of England on Thursday (23rd) with terrific storms being experienced in the English Channel, the most severe for years. "The railway bridge connecting Hayling with the mainland was submerged and when the tide went down it was found that [...]
Railway Viaduct
Railway communication with Hayling Island, South Hants, has been temporarily interrupted. During Thursday night the railway bridge connecting Hayling with the mainland caught fire. So much damage was done that trains are unable to run over it. The fire is believed to have been caused accidentally.

The concrete piers on which the wooden viaduct was built can be seen here. The metal structure to the left of this image is all that remains of the southern pier of the swing bridge.