The Rhode-Island Republican. [volume] (Newport, R.I.) 1809-1841, 1810-07-04
VERNON
MONTPELIER, JUNE 20.
WON ADER EYJ/. : -

Won DERFUL 4! :!
On the 9th inst. the large pond in the n.
T.. part of 'Greensborough, in this State,
which formed the head of the river Lamoii -
burst It's bounds, and, carrying ruin and de-
truction in its course, emptied itself into Lake
Memphrelnagog, distance of about IS ml's
The particulars are as follows -
The pond, which was about l-2 miles in
length, mile in breadth, and 100 feet in
depth, was situated on the Green Mountain,
considerably higher than the surrounding
country. About forty rods distant was snoth-
er smaller pond, OH the outlet Of which stood
a number Of mills. The perpendicular
height of the former above the latter was a.
bout 100 feet. 1t had long been contempla-
ted to make communication between them,
in the expectation that it would greatly benc-
fit the mills below the small pond. On the
day abovementioS cd, number Of the inhabi-
tants of Wheelock, Sheffield, Glover, and
Barton, met for the purpose Of digging a
channel, and commenced their operations on
the brow of a descent, few rods from the
large pond. They soon finished achannel S
or feet in depth. AS the channell filed,
the ground, which was composed Of kind Of
quick sand, began to sink, and the increasing
pressure, soon produced vast chasm of up
wards of 100 feet In debth, and l8 or 20
rods In width ; the water issued from the
pond with such dreadful impctuosity that it
was completely drained in one hour The
sinking of the ground was SO sudden, that the
workmen, who precipItately reireated, had
scarce time to save the ,nselves one sunk five
or six feet, but was fortunate enough to ex-
tricate himself by catching hold of the root
of tree. The water rushed into the lower
pond, and thence proceeded through forest
of heavy timber, six miles, to Barton river,
carrying off every thing it met, and tearing
up the soil. 1t then took the course of Bar
ton river, when it proceeded with the same
devastation till it arrived at Lake Memphre-
magog. Although the country through
which itpassed is but thinly settled, yet the
dam.,.e sustained is immense. Farms which
lay on the banks of Barton river, were cover
ec, IL or | feet, with stone, timber and earth
and their owners left in a state OF consterna.
ton and despair. Two saw mills,a grist
mill, blacksmith's shop, FIVE bridges, horse
and large numberof sheep, sc. were swept
into the Lake.
The scene 1t presented was awful. What
must have been the sensations, produced by
the sight of a column OF water, Of number
of miles in length, and 80 rods in width, fill
ed with trees and earth, and rushing with
horrid crash and laundering sou.d filing
up the valles and levelling the hills in its
course The earth for many miles around
trembled beneath tho load. The noise was
heard at great distance the inhabitants re.
siding on Barton river, in the first mon ents
of surprise, supposed it to be distant thunder
but the oloudiess sky soon convinced them of
their errour, and the increasing sound pre-
sented to their atfrighted imaginations the j.
dea of an earthquake, but nearer approach
OF the water discovered the reality, but then,
alike ignorant Of the cause and extent of so
uncommon an appearance, they knew not
where to fly for safety. Perhaps the history
OF America does not record a more extraor-
dinary event. No lives were lost.
BANKs-.We learn that Mr.. Blodget, of
Washington City, recently obtained a COM
plete and accurate return of all the banks i'm
the United States. On the lst of April last,
the number Of Banks was lo3, and of the
branches so, making in all ls3. The nomi-
nal capital Of the whole of these banks ex-
ceeds FIFTY EIGHT MILLIONS dolls.
C.7arora.1
DECLARATION Of AMERICA n INDEPENDENCE