The Sun.
London, England, 1841-01-21 00:00:00

THE WEATHER.

The lowest point of temperature in or near the metro-
polis was yesterday morning, at four o'clock, at the ZJolo-
gical Gardens, where the thermometer stood at 32 F. The
mildness of the weather singularly contrasted with the
severity of the few previous weeks. Yeiterday evening
the wind veered round to the north, and the thermometer
sunk several degrees. Some snow fell in the course of the
night and this morning, with a sharp north-cast wind.

DREADFUL DISASTERS AT SUN-

DERLAND BY THE FLOODS.

SUNDERLAND, JAN. IS. —Neva'. within the memory of
the oldest inhabitant has the shipping interest of this part
sustained, by river floods, damage and loss so extensive as
that which has this day ban occasioned by the breaking
up of the ice in the river Wear.
The thaw and the heavy rains to the westward,
which prevailed for two or three days, had led the
crews of the respective vessels to use every pre-
caution in securing them, so as to withstand the
pressure of the vast body of ice which would
inevitably, on its breaking up be borne along with
the ebb-tide ; but notwithstanding the utmost vigilance on
the part of the crews and the river authorities, the harbour
from the entrance to the Hetton Coal Staiths, (a mile
and a half in length), presents one vast scene of wreck
and confusion.

The main body of the ice, borne down with increased
rapidity by the floods, swollen by a continuance of rainy
weather, reached the harbour at about half-past four
o'clock this morning, bearing away with sweeping
and irresistible sway all before it—driving from their
moorings (and, in some instances, with their
moooi ings) upwards of 100 sail of ships, several steam-
boats, besides innumerable keels and other small craft, to-
gether with rafts of timber, all huddled together in the
most distressing confusion.
The scene which presented itself at day-break was truly
terrific, and is beyond description. Vessels entangled
with their broken masts, bowsprits, rudders, bulwarks,
stanchions, stems, sterns, bows, and gigging,
so as
in many instances to render it impossible to identify
the respective properties. The ice is so compactly
formed into one solid and extended sheet that
it has remained immoveable during the whole of the
day, undisturbed by the flux and reflux of the tide, inter-
spersed, as we have stated, with detached pieces of tim-
ber, broken spars, wrecked boats, and damaged keels, and
men and boys, walking without trepidation, from side tl
side, in pursuit of what they might find of value.
In the present confused scene, it is difficult to furnish
any thing like a correct estimate of the damage done to
property, or of the number of lives lost, as several vessels
have drifted out of the harbour, and it is hoped some are
on board.
The following is a partial list cf the vessels, which have
been driven from their moorings and are laying about the
harbour in great confusion :—Tho fine brig Pilgrim, of
Lynn, sunk and almost a com
Henry,lete wreck in the middle
belonging to Sunder-
of the harbour ; William
land, sunk, stern-post and rudder given way, bulwarks and
stanchions stove in, and foremast carried ;way ; Kirton,
seriously damaged and sunk ; Resourse, dismasted, broad-
! side swain, and decks partly carried away, supposed to bo

SlR,—Allow me to correct an error in the article in
your Journal cl Saturday last, relative to Manchester
b:coming a port, wherein it is stated that the project
for eutt:n; a h hip-cit. a' from here to the River Dee was
submitted to the public (about sixleen years ago by the
" late Mr. W. W. Tait."

As this gentleman is alive, and in good • health, the
mistake your Correspond nt has unintentionally fallen
into, may inflict unnecessary pain to absent connections
and friends, have the goodness, therefore, to give this
an early insertion.—l am, Sir, your obedient servant,
Manchester, Jan. 19, 1841. E. M. JONES.