The Sun.
London, England, 1866-11-19 00:00:00

HIE suN, LONLON, MONDAY EVEMING, NOVEMBER 19, 1866.

Great Floods in Yorkshire and Lancashire.

The two great industrial counties of the north,
Lancashire and Yorkshire, have been visited by a
series of floods much more extensive in character,
and having results more calamitous, than any which
have occurred for many years past. Even the
" oldest inhabitant" is puzzled to name the time
when anything happened at all like what was seen
on Friday at Leeds, at Manchester, at Preston, and
at many intermediate places. Heavy rains have at
odd times caused rivers to overflow, and occasioned
some little excitement to people livingon their banks.
There have been floods which have done great
damage too, but those who can look back for thirty
years do not remember anything so disastrous as
the flood from which the people of the two great
counties are suffering now. There seems to have
been an almost incessant downfall of rain through-
out the whole district for nearly three days, and
this, swelling the many rivulets and streams, which
run down the sides of the moorlands and hills which
separate the two counties, swiftly filled the rivers in
the valleys where the manufacturing towns are
built. It is, of course, impossible to state what
amount of damage is done, but it must be great in-
deed. Besides the loss from actual destruction of
property, there will also be great loss to the opera-
rative population from enforced idleness ; for great
numbers of mills have been so damaged by water
that some time must elapse before labour can be
resumed in them.

In the Leeds district the rain, which had come
down without intermission for four-and-twenty
hours, had swollen the Aire and its tributaries to
a greater extent than had been known for several
years past, and, as a consequence, the cellars in the
streets near the river, and in many cases the streets
themselves, were flooded with water, the
damage done to property being very serious,
and many people being for a time rendered
homeless. The appearance of the streets adjoining
the river was very remarkable. Adventurous pas-
sengers seeking to advance along them were stopped
by policemen carrying flaming torches, from whom
they received an intimation that their further pro-
gress was arrested by the water. Then, when they
peered out into the darkness beyond they saw broad
sheets of water, smooth and black, in the place of
the uneven payment. Occasionally a resident in
the neighbourhood might be seen seeking his home,
wading barefooted through the flood until he reached
his door. At the junction of Hunslet-lane and
Meadow-lane the water was about 2 feet deep, and
a system of ferries was consequently established,
the ferries consisting of carts and omnibuses, which
plied to and fro across Leeds Bridge and through
the lake which lay beyond. It was a singular sight
to see the crowd of working men hanging about the
bridge and waiting for their turn to cross to their
homes in this novel manner. What the scenes to
be witnessed in the interior of the houses in these
streets was may be better imagined than described.
The flood began shortly after mid-day on Friday,
and from that time until a late hour in the evening
the water slowly but steadily encroached upon the
streets in the lower part of the town, in some of
them reaching a depth of several feet. There was
a great overflow at the Waterloo'Ford, near to the
Wellington Station, after passing which the stream
flooded the works connected with the new station,
carried away the foot-bridge beyond the railway
arches, and rose half-way up Sandford-street. It
then swept with great force through the School-close
Bridge into the King's Mill-dam, carrying with it
large pieces of wood and other materials used in the
railway works. An accident of a serious nature, no
doubt in great part attributable to the flood, occurred
at one of the buildings erected by the side of the
dam, a large chimney connected with the corn mill
occupied by the executors of the late Mr. Hudson
suddenly falling. The cope-stone, a huge piece of
masonry, was projected across the darn, and, striking
the roof of one of the buildings in School-close, com-
pletely demolished it. The building was at the time
occupied by the wife and son of Mr. Thompson, one
of the eJntractors for the new railway works.
They were both buried in the ruins of the house,
and when rescued were conveyed to the infirmary.
Another accident was caused by an empty barge
being swept away from Howard's Wharf. The
barge dashed against another partially laden with
coals—the first was broken to pieces and sank, and
the other was carried down with great force until
brought to a stop by the abutments of the Leeds
Bridge, where part of it remained fixed, consider-
ably obstructing the current, and causing the river
to rush with terrific speed through the other arches.
On the north bank of the river at this point is a
palisaded terrace belonging to a leather merchant,
and this was washed by the flood. On Saturday
morning, at seven o'clock, some persons had as-
sembled on this terrace to see the wreck, when all
at once the earthwork gave way, and 30 perons were
precipitated into the rushing stream. Six females,
who had in despair clustered together, fastening to
each other's garments, were rescued by the captains
of two vessels, by means of boat-hooks. One corpse,
that of a man resembling a commercial traveller,
was fished out by a brave fellow, who saw the last
convulsive struggles of the man, and brought him to
land, but he was then dead. There is no doubt that
at least 23 lives have been lost by this sad accident.
A great number of streets were so flooded that the
cottagers had to leave their homes and find some
other place of abode for a time. Mills and
shops
were partially filled with water, and a considerable
amount of property was saved by the prompt action
of those interested. The water entered the lower
part of the parish church burial ground, but not in
sufficient quantity to do much damage. The roads
and fields in the neighbourhood of Sheepscar Bar,
of Knostrop, and of Thorpe Hall pastures were
covered to the depth of several feet.
At Bradford, the immense fall of rain during
Thursday night and Friday morning filled the
brook which runs through Bradford to overflow-
ing, and the consequence was that for a distance of
more than a mile many of the principal thoroughfares
were converted into deep floods and rapid-flowing
watercourses, and the rooms of many mills, ware-
houses, dyehouses, and workshops adjoining the
banks of the " beck" were inundated, as were also
all the cellars connected with warehouses, shops, and
other places of business in the centre of the town
and near the course of the stream. At 0 o'clock
many of the inhabitants had warning that a flood
was inevitable, and removed the property from their
cellars, but there were numbers of places occupied
as piece-rooms by spinners and manufacturers resi-
dent in distant towns, and these places, where
goods remain, are filled with water. The neighbour-
ing valley towards Shipley and the Aire was one
broad sheet of water, and at five o'clock on Friday
night the principal streets presented the appearance
of rivers. The damage cannot be less than £40,000
or £50,000. The line of the Lancashire and York-
shire Company at Walsden was inundated, and for
some time there was no railway communication be-
tween Bradford and Manchester. At half-past six
the rain had ceased, and the water in the streets be-
gan rapidly to subside. A man, it is said, was
drowned in trying to ford a street. Railway com-
munication was cut off with Leeds by the Midland
line, a bridge having been washed down.
The Calder at Wakefield rose to a great height,
and in many places overflowed and caused the dis-
tricts around- tobecome like reservoirs. Early on
Friday morning, keel, named the Peace, from
Beverley, was beingal a
lowered down to Mr. Fawcett's
flour mill for the purpose of being unloaded, the
rope broke, and it was drifted down to the weir
close by. Capt. Armstrong and the mate (who is
also from Beverley), did their utmost to prevent it
going over the dam stakes ;
and twoplonrctne—r—Awrnennst
Bates, miller, and W. Hepworth, corn
to their assistance. While these two men were etaperko--
pro-
ceeding from the shore to the vessel with so
ling their boat capsized, and Bates was drifted down
the stream and drowned. his companion managed
to swim to the banks and was rescued. The mate
of the vessel, while endeavouring to reach the
shore, was also washed away. During the
clay another vessel, laden with wheat, was also
drifted down to the weir, and went over. The
telegraph wires belonging to the United Kingdom
Telegraph Company were broken, and communica-
tion stopped. It was reported that several vessels
were stranded higher up the river, and that a tunnel

about ten miles along the Ribble banks was very
great. Many of the cottages were so flooded that
the inhabitants had to take refuge in the upper
rooms, and were then subject to many inconve-
niences. Boats plied in the street-ways, and it was
found necessary to supply some of the imprisoned
people with food and fuel through the bedroom win-
dows. The water getting to the gas meters stopped
the supply of gas. In one house a young woman
was trying to get the gas meter in order when it
exploded and blew her right out of the room. Her
arms and face were badly burned. Cattle, sheep,
and pigs were washed down the river in great num-
bers. On Friday evening a lurry, with three horses
and driver and several other men, were nearly
washed away at Walton. Just after they had passed
the bridge there the water swept lurry, horses, and
men right off the road against a hedge. A man
named Fox went with a horse and drag to endea-
vour to rescue the men. He got pretty near, but
before he could reach the spot pis conveyance and
horse were washed right over the road. The horse
was drowned. Fox got hold of a fruit tree in a nur-
sery garden, and it was midnight before he was
rescued. By noon on Saturday the waters of the
Ribble had receded considerably, and enabled people
to form some notion of the immense damage which
had been done. About twenty pleasure boats were
washed away from the premises of a well-known
boating hotel, and the water laid bare the founda-
tions of the hotel itself. At Walton one mill has
been damaged to the extent of about £4,000, and
in the village the losses sustained cannot be esti-
mated at less than £20,000. Ori Saturday morning
the dead body of a man named Whittaker, employed
by a tinplate-worker at Preston, was found in one
of the rooms of Messrs. Calvert's mill. He bad
been working at the place, and was last seen alive at
five o'clock on Friday evening.
In and about Wigan there was considerable
damage done to property, and great inconvenience
was experieu&d from the stoppage of roads and
railways. In some cases the railway traffic was
continued by sending the trains to their destination
in a roundabout way, and so causing hours' delay.
The river Tawd, which runs through Skelmersdale,
near Ormskirk, burst its banks about eight o'clock
on Friday morning, and rushed rapidly into the
Tawd Vale Coal Mine. Fortunately the men em-
ployed at this colliery had not commenced work, and
only four tunnellers, who were engaged at a point
600 yards from the shaft, were down at the time.
The news of the catastrophe spread quickly, and 200
or 300 men were soon employed in dammingup the
river and breaking down a bridge, which impeded
its flow materially. When at last the mine was
entered, the four men were found working away,
totally ignorant of the danger which had threatened
them.

In Manchester and Salford many of the inhabi-
tants were put to odd shifts to continue their ordi-
nary daily occupations. The whole of Lower
Broughton-road was flooded, the water rushing
along the road like another rapid river. The resi-
dents in the Polygon, in order to get to business in
town, had to take boats to the Griffin Hotel; but it
soon became impossible for the omnibuses to reach
the hotel. Over the greater part of Broughton-lane
the water was from two to three feet deep. At the
end of the lane, in Strangeways, some men were
moving about on rafts. Business in the flooded part
of Strangeways and the adjoining street was entirely
suspended; most of the shops were closed, except the
docrs, in which the proprietors and their assistants
stood, many of them bared to the knee. During the
forenoon a man was seen in Duke-street, opposite
Grosvenor-terrace, trying to make his way through
the water ; but he missed his footing, fell, and was
drowned, and the body floated about a neighbouring
field, until it was possible to get at it. In several
instances great risks were run by individuals de-
sirous of getting to their houses. The railings in
Victoria-street, and Salford, Victoria and Black-
friars Bridges, were crowded all day by excited
sight-seers. During the afternoon numerous casks
of oil, soap, and dye-stuffs were washed rapidly
down the river. They remained intact till they ap-
proached Salford Bridge, where the violent dashing
which they encountered in forcing a passage under
the bridge generally resulted in their wreck and the
loss of their contents. So great was the danger felt
to be that the Mayor of Salford and the whole staff
of officials and the police under him were engaged
in taking preventive measures all day on SatUrday.
The Mayor of Manchester was communicated with,
and an engineer was consulted as to the safety of
the bridges over the river. The Salford police force
and fire brigade were organised and placed under
the direction of the assistant chief constable, who
was instructed to render every assistance to the occu-
pants of the dwelling-houses in the flooded streets.
All the carts and horses belonging to the Salford
Corporation, and such others as were procurable,
were brought into requisition for the purpose. Two
boats were procured from the Mayor's residence, and
a messenger was despatched to Belle Vue to obtain
all the boats which Messrs. Jennison could spare.
The boats were quickly conveyed to the place where
they were required, and by these means nearly all
the people from the houses on the south side of the
river were removed. A large number of persons
from the Broughton side of the river were also taken
away from their dwellings, but it was feared that,
owing to the more extended space, and other oppos-
ing circumstances, many persons in Broughton would
have to remain in their houses during the night. The
head gardener of Peel Park and his family had to
be carried from their residence in a boat. The water
was so high that they could only get to the boat
through the upper windows. The hotbeds in the
park are entirely destroyed, and the greenhouses are
much injured. Several persons applied at the police-
station for assistance, stating that their families,
living in the houses in the neighbourhood of Union-
street and Great Clowes-street, were unable to get
out, and they were afraid the houses would not
bear
the pressure of the water, and would give way.
A. portion of the landing-stage for barges and boats,
near Albert-bridge, was
con-
siderable number of barrels
andcarried
otheraw a away
tai
onlde s afi
atd
down the stream. Though the damage done in the
valley of the Medlock was by no means so serious as
the injury done by the Irwell, yet it was greater than
has been known for many years. At the Mayfield
brewery the cellars, in which there wasaantity of
stagesst
beer, measuring 150 or 200 barrels, in
various
of brewing, were flooded, and the whole of the ook
spoiled. Barrels were washed out of the yard into
Stove-street, and the works were brought to a stand-
still. A large amount of damage was also done at
Messrs. Tennant's chemical works. It would be
difficult to form any estimate of the pecuniary loss
to that firm, but it will, doubtless, be little less
than £5OO. At a great number of other works
much damage was done. A block of wretched tene-
ments, adjoining the lower part of Great Marl-
,
borough-street, were submerged as high as the first
storey ; but the inhabitants have been so frequently
washed out that they regarded their troubles with
comparative nonchalance. Much damage was also
done lower down the stream as far as its junction
with the Irwell. The extensive removals of men,
women, and children from the flooded districts
ne-
cessitated the making of arrangements of consider-
able magnitude for their shelter and relief. Up to
ten o'clock on Friday evening about 700 persons
had been provided for by the corporation officials.
On being removed from their homes, families and
women were sent to the cellars at the Salford Town-
hall—which were specially lighted and warmed for
their reception—while men were sent to the Gas-
works, and others were accommodated in the work-
house and in St. John's Catholic schools. A large
number, not included in the foregoing figures,
were sheltered in the scavenging-houses, and
others were provided for at Mr. Bury's works
in Cannon-street, Adelphi. A few were received
at the Dispensary, whither some of them had to
be sent owing to illness, which was probably caused
by fright. The feeding of this large houseless and
destitute multitude was another matter which re-
ceived prompt attention. Unfortunately, the soup
in New Bailey-street was so flooded as to
be unable to work, but the manager organised his
staff and removed them to the Town-hall, where
there were sufficient appliances to enable them to
make soup in large quantities. The soup thus pre-
pared and a large supply of bread were rapidly dis-
tributed to the various places in which the rescued

on the Lancashire and Yorkshire Railway was so
flooded as to impede the traffic.
In the neighbourhood of Halifax the overflow from
the Calder and Ribble laid large tracts of country
under water. Many mills and warehouses were
flooded, and a great quantity of property destroyed.
At Ripponden a sad fatality occurred. A married
woman, named Elizabeth Bottomley, and three
children, named Kershaw, were crossing a small
bridge on their way to work, when the bridge was
carried away by the flood, and the woman and three
children perished. The traffic on the Lancashire
and Yorkshire Railway near Todmorden was
stopped.
The overflowing of the Don at Sheffield did great
damage. During the early part of the morning the
river rose very rapidly, and towards eleven o'clock
the pumps connected with the engines at the works
of Messrs. Dixon, Cornish-place, became choked,
and the engines were stopped. Several other works
were also stopped, and great numbers of workmen
made idle for a time. At several points the flood
was so great as to cause considerable commotion
amongst the occupants of cottages. The water
flowed into the lower rooms, and various articles of
furniture were seen floating about. At Brightside
the women got so frightened that they inasted upon
their husbands carrying them to a place of greater
safety. This was done, the wives being borne
upon the shoulders of the men. The water had
risen to such a height that it reached the armpits of
the men as they carried their precious burdens.
The waters of the rivers Holme and Colne rose
to a great height, and a large amount of damage
was done at Huddersfield. The river Holme flooded
the lands above Lockwood, and below Lockwood
Bridge flooded the lower storeys of the mills of Messrs.
H. Crowther and Sons, Messrs. Roberts and
Sons, Messrs. Turner and Berrys, Mr. Shaw, Mr.
B. Taylor, and Messrs. Marsdens. Queen Mill
was surrounded with water some feet deep,
and several of the workpeople who were in the place
early on Friday night could not get out. At the
juction of the Holme and Colne, a few hundred
yards below Folly Hall, a large extent of land was
submerged. At Dusk the river had risen so high as
occasionally to wash over the flat bridge at King's
Hall, and the cellars-in that locality were flooded.
The whole of the low land between Mirfield, Thorn-
bill, and Dewsbury, through which the river Calder
winds it way, was flooded. In the afternoon the
river had risen about two feet above the level it
reached when the Bilberry reservoir burst in Feb.,
1852. Mills in the valley were completely sur-
rounded with water, and the tall chimneys stood
out like lighthouses. The Dewsbury market-place
was covered to a depth of four or five feet. The
consequonce was that the shops were flooded to the
height of the counters, and had to be closed, and
such a thing as passenger traffic was impossible.
Soon after the market place was submerged, omni-
buses, cabs, and other vehicles were in great request
to convey people across, but ultimately even this
mode of meeting the difficulty could not be con-
tinued. About four o'clock in the afternoon two
boats were launched in the market place, and thus
communication between the two sides of the town
was kept up, to the intense amusement of hundreds
of spectators, who had never before known of navi-
gation in such a place. At eight p.m. the waters
were rapidly rising, and the parish church was
flooded to the extent of three feet, and Ebenezer
Chapel and schools were about a foot deep in water.
The Post-office was inaccessible for several hours,
except by conveyance, and business in the heart of
the town was suspended nearly all day. Immense
damage has been done to goods stored in cellar
warehouses, also in mill property and agricultural
produce. Most of the mills in the vicinity of the
Calder will be stopped working for at least several
days. About half-past seven o'clock six persons
got upon a waggon to go to Thornhill, and after
passing the new bridge over the Calder, the driver
found the water so deep that he unyoked his horses
and returned, leaving the six persons on the wag-
gon surrounded by the water. There were eight or
ten lives lost at and near Dewsbury. A cabman
was one of the first victims of the flood. At a late
hour on Friday evening he was drivingalong Saville-
road towards Thornhill, when the cab and its occu-
pants, four in number, were swept away by the tor-
rent. The cabman was drowned, and the people in
the vehicle were only saved by remaining in it until
the waters bad subsided. A man named Oldroyd,
a mill operative, was drowned whilst attempting to
rescue the people in the cab. In the neighbourhood
of Thornhill Lees and Dewsbury Mills the flood has
made great havoc, and several lives have been sac-
rificed. On Friday night a cart belonging to Mr.
Charleswortb, maltster, and driven by a man named
John Thorpe, was coming in the direction of Dews-
bury, when the vehicle was swept into the water, and
several persons who were riding upon it perished.
A youth named Higg has also been lost, and a boy
named Hirst, from Thornhill Lees, was drowned at
Highbury Bridge. At Heckmondwike the flood
came on so suddenly that the people who were work-
ing in the mills near the " beck" had to be removed
in carts.
The flood did immense damage in all the villages
and minor towns which skirt the rivers in York-
shire, and at several points the lines of railway were
so injured that traffic was either stopped or its con-
tinuance was made dangerous. The flood caught a
flock of sheep in a field of Mr. Joseph Robinson's,
Skipton ; nineteen were drowned, and a number
more only just escaped. A bullock and other sheep
were seen floating down the river. The road was
not passable in Carleton from Skipton, and the river
overflowed the whole valley.
In Lancashire the floods were as disastrous as those
in Yorkshire. The rapid rising of the Calder and
the Brun at Burnley caused considerable excitement
in the inhabitants. Great numbers of houses were
flooded ; but there seemed to be a subsidence of the
waters about noon. Later in the day still greater
alarm prevailed, as it was found that the water was
again rising, and to a much higher point than in
the morning. The footbridge over the river from
the Old Brewery to the market-place was washed
down. A large portion of a wall on the market-
side of the river was also washed away. The low-
lying portions of Townley Park and the lands and
garden at Fulledge looked like a lake. Many of the
mills which stood by the river-side were so damaged
by the water that work cannot be resumed in them
for some time.
At Blackburn, the Blakewater overflowed its
banks in the lowest part of the borough, called
Wrangling ; and on Friday, when the factory ope-
ratives got up to begin their daily occupation, many
found their dwellings partly flooded, and the street
nearly a yard deep in water. Several mills abutting
on the river were got to work, but the water con-
tinued to rise, and put out the fires. This was the
wtown
case at seven mills bordering on the stream. Several
tradesmeno
nw
amount of property damaged or destroyed, and a
d
streamManyat
families another
onpartfind-
ing of
the oow rbridgeslivinga near thea river had a considerable
washed
their houses flooded made efforts to escape, car-
rying away part of their property, and storing the
across
a thew y
rest in their upper rooms. Some obtained the aid
of horses and carts, and others enlisted the sympa-
thies of neighbours to carry them out of the course
of the flood. At Accrington it was found necessary
fltooesdtoepd tbhyretehemNivlalsteorns aecfcotuhnetrier il
ovftheyrnsdhbeudr. A
sheds being
Church several houses were flooded, and a lodge
connected with the collieries worked by the trustees
of the late Joseph Barnes burst its embankment
about six o'clock in the morning. The water of the
Oswaldtwistle Brook was dammed up for the pur-
pose of supplying a water wheel used to pump
water out of the Park pit, and it seems that the ma-
chinery used for lifting the " cloud" in case of flood
was out of order, and the water began to overflow
the embankment. The night watchman, apprehend-
ing danger, awoke the inmates of two houses near,
and they made a hasty retreat. Two hours after-
wards the houses were entirely swept away. A large
quantity of water rushed into the coal pit, and it is
apprehended that all the lower workings are filled.
Two firemen in the pit were got out safely. Con-
siderable damage has been sustainedby the Accring-
ton Gas and Waterworks Company at their new
works at Oakeushaw.
Later news from Preston shows that the damage
for
done in the town, and in a district, extending

persons were sheltered. The flood had subsided on
Saturday morning, and most of the families driven
from their homes have returned. The low ground
opposite the Crescent, Salford, still retained large
sheets of water, but these in many instances were
covered with thin ice, the frost during the night
having been very keen. The river Irwell itself is
from four to five yards lower than at the height of
the flood. The line of the flood is marked in all
directions. In addition to the loss of life reported
above two more fatal casualties have occurred. On
Friday afternoon a horse and cart, driven by a man
named Samuel Hall, were swept away near Spring-
field-lane, in attempting to cross the bridge. The
horse and cart were recovered, but not the man.
The other occurred at Lockett's works, Strange-
ways. One of the men, named James Radcliffe, GO
years of age, remained in the joiners' shop. About
eleven o'clock the flood freshened, and the other
workmen left, but he would remain. The water
soon reached the crown of the arch of the gate-
way, and it was impossible to reach him. About
three o'clock the joiners' shop, which had been
sapped by an offshoot behind, fell, carrying him
with it. His body was recovered at Great Ducie
Bridge. Whilst the flood was at its height several
persons narrowly escaped drowning. They were in
a cart in Saudon-street, Broughton-road. The cart
had been engaged to take them away from their
house, but when they got to Sandon-street the pony
which was drawing the cart could not proceed fur-
ther, being then up to his mouth in water. Quick,
a sergeant of the Salford police, and a man named
Bashford, went to their assistance, and by means
of rope they dragged the pony, cart, and passengers
out of the flood.

In the Rochdale district nearly all the mills on
the banks of the river Roach were flooded. Some
of the lower rooms were four or five feet deep in
water, and work had to be suspended. A great
deal of damage has been done to the machinery and
manufactured goods in the various mills. During
the day carcases of sheep, pigs, and horses, flannel
pieces, planks of timber, and barrels were washed
down the river.

In the neighbourhood of Oldham the low-lying
lands have been completely submerged and dwell-
ing-houses flooded. In Hollinwood several houses
and mills have been inundated, the water lodging in
the lower rooms to the depth of a foot and upwards.
Some portions of the valley of Saddleworth pre-
sented a scene not unlike what is to be witnessed in
Holland. The fields were completely submerged,
nothing appearing above water but houses and
trees. The river Tame was greatly swollen, and,
overflowing its banks, it inundated the lower rooms
of several mills i❑ the neighbourhood of Mossley,
doing damage, it is feared, to a considerable
amount. A carter, named James Whitworth, fell
into the water near Scout Mill, and was carried
down the stream, whilst attempting to get hold of
some pieces of wreck.
At Ashton-under-Lyne, at Stockport, and at
Bury the floods have done great damage, especially
to the mills standing by river banks.

For some days the river at Derby had been very
light, but on Friday it rose still higher at a rapid
rate, and the water overflowing the banks flooded
great portions of the town. In North Derbyshire
the flood was very great. In South Derbyshire the
Trent overflowed its banks at Willingten, Swarke-
stone, Shardlow, King's Mills, and other places,
and the damage done was considerable. A portion
ofillull has also been flooded. At Alessrs. Reckett
and Sons' starch manufactory considerable damage
was done, and in great numbers of houses occupied
by poor people the water reached a height of three
feet.

tor of the fog trumpet, died at New London, Con-
necticut, on the 13th October, aged forty-eight
years. He was the son of Nathan Daboll, the
maker of " Daboll's Arithmetic."

Governor Fenton, of New York, has issued his
proclamation appointing the 29th of November as a
day of thanksgiving in that state.

TWO NOBLE LADIES FINED FOR POACHING.—
The journals of Namur state that the Marchioness
de Molins and the Duchess del Pilar Osorio de los
Rios have been each fined 30f. by the correctional
tribunal of that town, and had their fowling-pieces
confiscated for shooting without a licence in the
commune of Dave.

Among the patents issued at Washington for the
week ending October 16, is one to James C. Barlow,
of Brimfield, for improved lid supporters.

FREIGHT FOR BOSTON.—TIIE CAPACITY OF THE
WESTERN RAILROAD.—The members of the Boston
Corn Exchange held a meeting on Tuesday, Oct.
23, to consider the best means of increasing the
facilities of the foreign and local grain trade at that
city. J. B. Brigham stated that it was very diffi-
cult to get cars from the railroad companies sufficient
for the grain transportation, because they were kept
so long at Boston before they were unloaded, and
the railroad directors were unwilling that they
should be used as storehouses. George A. Shaw,
state director of the Western Railroad, explained
the condition of affairs on that road, and why its
freighting facilities had been so exceedingly insuffi-
cient for several years past. During the war the Go-
vernment demanded many of the cars, and since the
return of peace the directors have not been able to
increase their rolling stock in proportion to the
growth of their freighting business. A letter was
read from the president of the road, Chester W.
Chapin of this city, saying that 198 cars have been
added to the equipment this year, and 246 more have
been ordered, which they are receiving at the rate
of fifty per month. They have also added seven
new first-class locomotives, and will receive three
more within a few weeks. The company will con-
tinue further additions of cars and engines till they
are able to transport all freight accumulating at
Albany, provided that the Boston grain dealers will
promptly remove it from the cars on its arrival. Mr.
Shaw said that if the facilities were furnished the
trade between Albany and Boston would be almost
unlimited, and that other lines of transportation
might also find ample employment. A committee
of five—J. B. Brigham, Avery Plainer, S. G. Bon-
dicar, Summer Crosby, and C. H. Winch—was ap-
pointed to consult with the directors of the Boston
and Worcester, Fitchburg and Western railroads,
and urge upon them the necessity of speedily erect-
ing storehouses and grain elevators at Boston.
The officers of nearly all the large British colo-
nies in America and Australia have published offi-
cial statements concerning the large demand for
skilled and unskilled labour. But all the efforts to
turn away the tide of British emigration from the
United States are in vain. Labour under British
rule is not so profitable as in the United States.
The following is from the Springfield Republican
of November 3 :—The trial of the Baltimore police
commissioners before Gov. Swann dragged along
till Wednesday night, and on Thursday the com-
missioners were removed by the Governor, as it
was expected they would be, whether the evidence
against them amounted to anything or not, and
indeed it amounted to very little. There was much
excitement at Baltimore in consequence of the re-
moval, but there has been and will be no
fighting about it, as it was feared at one time
there might be. The commissioners do not ac-
knowledge the authority of the Governor to re-
move them, but they will submit to being turned
out by those appointed in their places, and then
test their rights before the Courts, which is
much better than to submit the matter to the ar-
bitrament of arms, with the pleasure of giving some
hard knocks perhaps, but the certainty of being de-
feated in the end. Official returns from the Penn-
sylvania election make Gen. Geary's majority
17,178, in an aggregate vote of 597,370. The
Legislature has a Republican majority of 36 on
joint ballot, insuring the election of a Radical
Senator to succeed Mr. Cowan. In Indiana the
official returns foot up 14,516 Republican majority,
against 20,883 in 1864. The returns from lowa
so far indicate a Republican majority of about
35,000. In West Virginia, where the election was
held last week (Thursday), the entire Republican
ticket was elected by over 7,000 majority, showing
a Republican gain since the vote on the amendment of
the State Constitution. Gov. Boreman is re-elected,
and so is C. D. Hubbard, member of Congress in
the first district, while B. M. Kitchen in the second
district, and Daniel Palsey in the third, though
both new members, are also Republicans. Official
returns from Nebraska elect John Taffe, Repub-
lican territorial delegate, to Congress by 748 ma-
jority ; and the Republican majority in the Legis-
lature, elected in anticipation of the admission of
Nebraska as a State, is nine on joint ballot.—The
remainder of the important fall elections, including
that in our own State, come next week ('Tuesday).
The important nominations have all been made
some time ago, and the finishing up of the local
,nominations and the making of the final appeals of
the canvass is now the order of the day. The De-
mocrats have worked hard in some of the States,
especially New York, to make some show for " my
policy," but the prospect is for a still more sweep-
ing Republican victory than in the October elec-
tions, if anything.
A new kind of hemp has been discovered in Cali-
fornia, in some respects superior to any textile
material now in use. The fibre is longer, finer, and
stronger than common hemp, longer than flax, and
more abundant in proportion to the wood, and
more easily separated from the wood than either.
These two fibres can be obtained for practical use
only by soaking and rotting the plants ; whereas
the silver hemp fibre can be stripped clean from the
stalk without any preparation. A number of gen-
tlemen familiar with hemp and flax have examined
the new material, and expressed their confident be-
lief that it is destined to be of great value.
The Newburyport (Massachusetts) Herald says
the late storm which swept the Atlantic, moving
the waters to the greatest depths and throwing the
surf upon our shores as not before seen for 50 years,
wrought a change at the mouth of the Merrimac.
Where before was the deepest water a sand bar has
been formed, nearly stopping the passage. A pilot
boat, runnigg out on Wednesday, October 24,
stopped on that bar, in so heavy a sea that they
feared she would go to pieces. The men got off
their boots and made other preparations for a swim
for life before the boat could be relieved from her
perilous condition.
A letter from Buenos Ayres says the wool clip in
that country will probably exceed that of last year.
It seems estimated at four million arrobas, 260,000
pounds, and will be worth twelve million of silver
dollars.
If the message by the Atlantic cable be true, the
sentence of death passed on the Fenian prisoners
in Canada will be commuted.
TRADE BETWEEN AUSTRALIA AND THE UNITED
STATES.—The successful laying of a telegraph wire
beneath the Atlantic Ocean, wonderful as it really
is, may be, as regards consequences to our mercan-
tile interests, eclipsed by the establishment of a line
of ocean steamships between Panama, New Zealand,
and Australia. The immense advantages which
such a line would confer upon us bavo, one would
suppose, been entirely misunderstood or the attempt
to establish it would have been earlier made. Of
course the long sea voyage between Panama and

New Zealand, over 6,000 miles, rendered steam navi-
tion apparently almost impossible. But the difficul-
ties are found to be only apparent. It is found
that steamers can, contrary to expectation, carry
enough coal for the voyage, and thus the problem is
at once solved. What it involves is just this : That
with proper enterprise American merchants can
almost monopolise the trade of New Zealand and
Australia. In other words, a cargo can be run be-
tween the extreme ends of the route in somewhere
about six weeks, whereas the same cargo takes three
months to reach England. The trade of New Zea-
land has hitherto been with England and Australia.
To the former she has exported chiefly agricultural
produce, and to the latter wool, flax, tallow, gums,
and copper ore, receiving in return manufactured
and other commodities. To the United States she

has been almost a terra incognita. The impression
with most of us, in fact, has chiefly been that the
island was characterised by the existence of a num-
ber of isolated towns, certainly with a central go-
vernment delegated by the British Crown and
backed by British military, but constantly harassed
by the aborigines, who killed and eat the captives
of their bow and spear. All this was an error of
course, and we are now to awaken to the fact not
so much that New Zealand is a region whence
we can expect much importation, as• that it
is so far undeveloped as that American manu-
factures and machinery and breadstuffs can
be exported from hence. But the great field opened
by the new enterprise is that involving the vast and
increasing trade of Australia. At present the benefits
we receive from that trade are comparatively of
small importance. But what the commerce between
those colonies and ourselves may ultimately become
is beyond estimate. Two great staples are produced
by the two countries—cotton and wool. Of one
we have had, and shall have again, a superabund-
ance ; but of wool we are sadly deficient. A great
proportion of that used is imported ; in fact of the
long-fleeced wool we have very little. Australia,
on the other hand, produces a fine article, and just
of the kind we require. There are very many other
articles which might be interchanged with mutual
advantage, and no doubt will be. There will be
seen before long American ploughs in Australian
cornfields, and American notions of all sorts in
Australian homes. And the American bonds will
follow, so that we shall have to quote the rates of
5-20 s and other good things of like import as sold
at Adelaide and Melbourne. Surely all this betokens a
great future of material prosperity for us, if, that
is, our political extremists will let the people labour
in peace.—New York Times, Oct. 21.

COMMERCIAL INTELLIGENCE.

NEW YORK, Saturday, Nov. 3.

Last Thursday Secretary M'Culloch began the pay-
ment of the November gold interest on the 5-20 Bonds,
and he is expected to disburse $3,000,000 a day for a short
time. The whole sum which will thus pass into the
hands of the public is $24,000,000, and of this $18,000,000
will be paid in New York. The Secretary holds about
one hundred millions. It is not expected that these large
sums paid in gold will have much effect on the market, as
the demand for export is reviving, and the duties on
customs continue steady amounting to about $400,000
daily. There is no material change in the Money
Market. The supply is abundant. At Chicago there
is greater stringency ; the supply is now flowing
East. Good names even have to give from 12 to 15 per
cent., and ordinary are run up to 18 per cent. Stocks have
been moderately active at New York, but the strong up-
land movement predicted by the bulls has not yet taken
place. There was, however, a very strong market on
Wednesday and Thursday, and all classes of stocks were
buoyant at advancingprices. Good stocks have remained
firm during the week, and participated fully in the rise of
Wednesday and Thursday. There is a revived demand
for 5-20's for shipment to Europe, and these bonds have in
consequence been especially active. These securities are
daily being absorbed by bona fide investors, and will be
largely taken off the market ere long.
Grain is rising rapidly in New York. Tho quantity in
stole is now known to be smaller than supposed, and the
canal and river navigation will soon be closed. The pros-
pect of a strong demand from Europe adds to the buoyancy
and helps to raise prices.
It is reported that the monthly statement of the public
debt will be very favourable, but you will get the totals by
the Atlantic cable. Though receipts have slightly dimi-
nished, so also have disbursements.
Trade generally is dull, especially in dry goods, and per-
haps will remain so till after the elections. Stocks are in-
creasing, buyers diminishing, and prices consequently de-
clining. To this I may quote cotton prints, ginghams,
and delaines as exceptions.

(From E. F. Satterthwaite and Co.'s Weekly Circular,

November 14.)
The " Scotia" brought us advices from New York to
the 30th ult.
A large amount of business was again reported in all
classes of good securities. Government Bonds remained
steady and in request. For Railroad Stocks there was a fair
inquiry ; Erie, Michigan Southern, and Chicago and North
Western being most in demand ; the latest quotation show
but little variation from th 3 previous week. State Stocks
and Railway Mortgages were steady, all bonds of leading
lines being readily taken at the quotations.
Money was a little easier, notwithstanding the continued
demand from the West for moving the crops and produce.
Gold showed a steady but slow downward tendency.
We have to note increased activity in the London mar-
ket for American securities during the past week. The
recent importation of United States 5-20's appear to have
been well taken on both home and Continental demand,
and the closing price for the next settlement, 70 to 70i,
show an advance of nearly two per cent. on the week.
The 1865 issue of these Bonds has recently been in-
troduced on this market. They aro identical in every re-
spect with the 1862 issue, excepting that they have three
more years to run. The first quotations gave a profit of
$2 per cont. by exchanging the earlier for the more recent
dates, so that many holders for permanent investment
made the exchange; the stock imported, however, having
been absorbed, quotations have more nearly approximated,
and now not much more than one per cent. difference
exists.

Illinois Central Shares have been taken in small lots,
and have improNed to 774 to 784. Eries have not been
so much inquired for as they were ten days ago, and on
the recent settlement about one shilling per share was
paid for the loan of Stock. Atlantic and Great Western De-
bentures and Consolidated Bonds have declinad one per
cent. on the week.
OFFICIAL TRANSACTIONS FOR THE WEEK.—United States
.6 per Cent. 5.20 Bonds, 1882: Thursday, 68 44 4 2 ; Friday,
69 84 ; Saturday, 684 9 ; Monday, 694 ; Tuesday,
6914 ; Wednesday, 694 70. Virginia 5 per Gent. Sterling
Bonds : Thursday, —. Virginia 6 per Cont. Dollar
Bonds: Thursday, 414; Friday, 41; Monday, 414 ; Tuesday,
42; Wednesday, 43. Atlan. and Gt. Westn. (N. V. Sect.) Ist
Mrt. Bonds, 188( : Friday, —; Monday, 70 4 ; Wednesday,
.Atlan. and Gt. Westn. 2nd Mrt. Bonds, 1881:
Friday, —; Monday, —. Atlan. and Gt. Westn. (Penns.
Sect.) Ist Mort Bonds, 1877: Thursday, —; Friday, —;
Wednesday, Atlantic and Great Western (Pennsyl-
vanian Section) 2nd Mrt. Bonds, 1882: Thursday, 67 ;
Saturday, —; Wednesday, —. Atlan. and Great
Western Consolidated Bonds, 1895; Thursday, 394 401 394;
Friday, 40 394 ; Saturday, 394 9 ; Monday, 404 39 4 ; Tues-
day, 394 9 4 ; Wednesday, 394 1 4 9. Erie Shares,
$lOO, all paid: Thursday, 51; Friday, 52 1; Satur-
day, 52 21-; Monday, 524 ; Tuesday, 51 4 4; Wednesday,
51i- 504. Erie Shares, 6 per cent. Convertible Bonds : Friday,
69t ; Monday, 69 ; Tuesday, 69 ; Wednesday, 684. Illinois
Central 6 per Cent. Bonds of 1875: Thursday, ;
Tuesday, 81 24. Illinois Central 7 per Cent. Bonds
of 1875 : Thursday, ; Saturday, 65 ; Tues-
day, —. Illinois Central Shares, all paid : Thursday,
764 7 ; Friday, 77 ; Saturday, ; Monday
Tuesday, 774 4; Wednesday, 774. Michigan Central 8
per cent. Convertible, 1869: Thursday, —. Philadelphia
and Erie First Mortgage, 1881: Thursday, —; Satur-
day, ; Monday, —; Wednesday, Philadelphia
and Erie First Mortgage, 1881, with option to be paid in
Philadelphia: Thursday, —; Monday, —. Pennsylvania
Second Mortgage Sterling Bonds, 1875: Monday, —.