The Sun.
London, England, 1835-11-03 00:00:00

GREAT FLOOD AND STORM AT

BANFF.

On Monday Banff was visited by a storm and a flood in
the river, which exceeded in magnitude any thing ever be-
fore witnessed. The Preventive Service rescued several
persons from death. Whilst this was going on, the scene
in the town was becoming most interesting ; and danger
was apprehended, not from the river, but from the sea.
These apprehensions were well founded, for long after the
hour of tide the water continued to flow from the sea, over ,
all the bulwarks into the lower parts of the town. The old
market-place was speedily filled, and the houses surrounding
it were flooded in their lower apartments ; and by three
o'clock P.m. the whole area of the old market-place was
covered to the depth of several feet, and the water ex-
tended up the streets leading front this to a considerable
distance. Shortly before four o'clock the pressure of the
water was so great as to force down the wall of Lord Fife's
garden, and vent being thus given, the water flowed with
great rapidity into his Lordship's park. This relieved the
town for a short time, but before five o'clock it was ascer-
tained that the river had overtopped its bulwarks, and that
the water would soon rush through the park upon the lower
parts of the town. Accordingly, in a very short time the
water began again to flow, and very soon reached a height
beyond that of 1829. At this time the scene was terrific,
and great fears were entertained for the safety of lives and
property. Boats were, however, soon procured, and all in
jeopardy were soon rescued ; and we have the satisfaction
to say no lives were lost. The destruction of property
has, however, been immense ; and one poor widow has had
her house (her sole property) completely swept away. She
suffered to a less extent in 1829, and the damage was then
repaired by subscription. We recommend a subscription
in this instance, but not to repair the house, as we should
think any sum to be raised would be much better applied
in purchasing property removed from the risk of similar
accidents. The water still is the sole tenant of the greater
part of the cellars and low apartments in the lower parts
of the town ; and although the pumps have been actively
at work, it will be days yet before it be completely ejected.
On the whole, this visitation has been greater than that of
1829 ; but, unlike it, it has flowed from the sea instead of
the river, and has served to demonstrate that, subject to
both, property in the parts of the town liable to be over-
flowed is not worth, by one-half, what it would be were it
situated where the water could not reach it. From the
sea, the accounts, in addition to what we have stated, are
very afflicting, and still more are expected. Two vessels
are on shore at Sandend, between Cullen and Portsoy—
the crews of both luckily saved. One is the Francis Wil-
liam of Cullen, not much damaged, and the other a north
country trader, about 90 tons, considerably damaged. Four
Davis' Straits men were seen off Whitehills, and had the
wind not shifted they must have come on shore. Luckily,
however, the wind changed about five o'clock to the north-
west, when these vessels bore up ; and there can be no doubt
that they succeeded in clearing all the headlands on their
voyage southwards.
From the country, the accounts arc not very bad ; and
although the turnpike roads have been damaged in several
places, the loss, on the whole, is much less than could have
been expected.—Aberdeen Observer.