The Sun.
London, England, 1862-06-12 00:00:00

THE FLOOD IN THE FENS.

LYNN, WEDNESDAY.
Whatever grounds there may have been in the,
past for the many complaints that have been made
of the tardy manner in which it is said the works
for the stoppage of the tidal waters have been car-
ried out, one thing is certain, that the most ener-
getic efforts have been made during the last four
days, under the direction of Messrs.Hawkshaw and
Lynn, the engineers. SiEce Saturday, from 800 to
1,000 men have been employed, and since Monday-
morning down to Tuesday there had been dropped
no less than about 75 panels into their places, or
more than 24 feet in height of panelling. On that
afternoon it was determined that the attempt
should be made to complete the coffer-dam suffi
ciently to stop the water. The fourth row of
panels were dropped on the flood tide, and the tidal
waters were actually stopped. Of course the
stoppage caused an accumulation of water on the
outer or sea side of the dam, on which side alone
there were 24 feet of panels above the soil. The
"head" of waters, as it is called, was very small
there being only a difference of about seven feet in
the height of the water on the two sides of the dam,
whilst from the inside of the dam the loose earth.
had been washed away by the force of the scour,
The greatest satisfaction was experienced at the
apparent victory which had been achieved by the
art of men over their powerful antagonist, and
messengers were at once dispatched to Lynn with
the welcome intelligence. Alas, that the gratifi-
cation which was felt should be so short-lived. The
panels were dropped in at about half-past four
o'clock, and by half-past five o'clock it became pain-
fully apparent to all that the dam had burst, from
the boiling seething waters on the upper side of the
dam. The full force of the facts suggested them-
selves at once to the engineers, viz., that the panels
had been undermined, and the water was scouring
beneath; and the transition from cheerfulness to
gloom was rapidly apparent in the countenances of
the managing men, who, without doubt, realised
the disastrous results of this failure just at the
moment when success was being rejoiced at. It was
quite a study to look at the long faces which the en-
gineers pulled, as the dam has gone just at the point
the weakness of which we have previously called
attention to. It was found to be necessary to take up
three rows of the panels, otherwise it was feared that
the whole dam would be carried away. As soon at;
this was done, the water again rushed up the cut with
considerable force. A portion of the gallows frame
was broken down by the lifting of the panels. As
soon as the water got at the highest point, at flood.
time, some divers were sent down to ascertain the
extent of the damage, which was variously esti-
mated. The divers found that one of the panels was
completely shattered, whilst a number of others
were doubled up into strange fantastic shapes. Two
or three of the principal piles were also broken, and
the bottom of the cut was scoured to a great depth.
For the last few days there has been about 2,000
sacks of earth per day thrown into the drain on the
upper side of the dam, but the divers found that on
one side of it, they were all washed away. Of all
that had been deposited none remained.
It is greatly to be feared that the chapter of ca-
tastrophes in connexion with the unfortunate imin
dation is not over. The tides will be at their highest
on Friday morning.

COUN7BY MfIRAL2S.

- 4).-- -
LYNN-TUESDAY.

A moderate show of wheat to-day, for which the demand
was pretty fair, and taken at fully last week's rates. The
barley season is nearly over, and the few samples offered
were at no more money. Oats scarce, and little changed in
value. Beans ruled at late rates.
New white 57s to 58s 1 Barley. . 30s to 32g
ItGd, .
Beans .40s to 44s I Peas 44s to 480