Richmond enquirer. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1815-1867, 1839-02-02
DOM ES'A'kC.
ruE sTORM-DEsTRUCTIvEF FLOOD

THE STORM-DESTRUCTlVE FLOOD
P1uADyLYHIA JAN 2S-After cad spell oil unu
sual severity, which closed h"'h rivers warm 'a,"
commenced on Friday night between nine and cIock
which SOON increased 10 violent tempest Inc ralr
poured down in until about three clock on ga
turday afternoon. when the wind shird 10 Inc N'fh'
west the weather again becoming cold ne WORST ap
entertained account oil the sudden break
ing I'd nf the ice. and the immense quantity ot vale
which fell in so short time, were fully realised In
Schuy!kill front Of the city yesterday displayed sce'
of unexampled devastation
The Schuyikill commenced rising about one ocl"r'
on Saturday afternoon the flood continuing 10 swell unit
after midnight. when it estimated to be at least TEL
feet or two tides above its ordinary level which is sat
to be two feet higher than the great ireshes OF feo'us
2lst, 1922
Among the other heavy injuries caused BY this cali
nifty is the destruction Of the two bridges al Gray
Ferry The old Floating Bridge was carried away "'
Saturday afternoon. and N the course o' inc h'Sh Ia
new and costly Railroad Bridge al the same place torn
ing an important link in the connection between tn
city snd Baltimore fell under the united force OF the l."
and the current. This edtice was just completed an
its loss will be severely felt by the community at lar!
ohec communication with the western shore OF H.
Schuylkill being left except the Bridge al Markt
street.
We visited Farmnunt Yesterday morning. and traced
the progress of along the bank ct The vrr
The dam itself appears to have sustained no ma'efai
injury, but q, the time we saw 1t The scene was
OF strange wiidness and We m ght say OF subllmiy
as swolen torrent roacd and dashed along it's cours
its hospm. The works which supply The city. rr-
stopped for the moment thu fteshei having covered IRE
wheels and pumps and al one tune the esPanaoe IN lie
rear Of the whesi-IGuSe foot under water ! r"
canal on the western side Of the dam "as c"inPe'fy
overlooked and setors injury appears TO lave ceen con"
10 the locks and the bridges crossing h'm
In the transported store houses. Of which there are
many along The river SIDE. the damage 10 merchandz'
must be immense ss The water rose tie second s'"ry
Of number Of these buildings, and IN various INSTANCES
the lower frozen The coal YARDS p'tSS ~
the appearance Of plains Of ice. TIE ups o. l'
coal heaps which have stood against The current, pro
.cuny at intervals The Offices used counting rooms.
in many places far below the Accommodations ~
the ,cd have the appearance OF being partially
sunk almost in thu channel Of the river.
singular spectacle offers itself between Race and Gal
oyhiIl streets Beach street which connects them near
the river completely choaked with large masses Of
ice and Vine up to Ashton strsea distance ~
about eight hundred feet from the line OF the
is in the same condition, the waves having reached is
point the whole flooded ground being closely bull ard
itckly Inhabited. The families were obliged IN IN"
Of the evening 10 retire IN the SECOND Story 81
their houses and finally so much apprehension was -
crtaiDed that near midnight boats were rnwed ob"u'
the streets 10 those who we're most exposed ms
TO convey them place Of safety. The ground from
this place Market street is very Hat and whole III ID
are covered with overwhe gardens stables and
out.houses nf every kind. The City Gas Works were
in considerable danger end the cellars were hiied VII"
water; bot il is believed maieria! damage was d'nr
The canal bridge The wts, SIDE Of the ftTniant"'
this vicinity grca; losses have been sustained by the d.
siruc,on of ime and the floating away oil bodies CT Inn
Der and Of hrewood.
Canal boats are living the wharves and in the streets
at great distance from the rivera schooner IS on h
wharf AT Locus, street. and several slools 10 BE- seen
in the same situation
The destruction of property has been great that it
is impossible do al present Than TO make general
notice of the appearance Of the Of ruin y" ca
amy of similar extent probably occurred before
In pbiladephia Various tumnrs are IN circulation "a
TO the loss of lives, which We trust are un'ound"c
though there is probability that may have perish
ed in the Of the night attempting to rescue their
boats But nothing de Sne known IN relation TO 'hs
1t said however ta, boa, with three men swept
away.
There is a rumcr that the Flat Rock Dam has been
destroyed, and serious are entertained a.
TO the extent OF damage up the county
Although the Delaware wse much sweHed by 'h''
freshel, damage we believe, was done on that from
OF the city
other obstuctions caused by the storm The mails from
the North and South, due yesterday had not been 'r
ceived post Office al the time OF our going e"
press.
P S.-We have since learned that hen the frsshe
the highest il stood seventeen feet some inches
above low wafer mark The eastern pier Of the railroad
bridge at Gray's Ferry is completely demolished lhs
destruction supposed 10 have been caused by the cfg
ing in the piers Of the fragments Of the floating bridge
which, for time formed complete dam, which al
length burst with irresistible fury carrying all before
The iIeshet seemed down the Schuyk all j.
once like an enormous wave, roaring and boiling as
rushed apparently about ten feet high Fsirmoun'
Dam, The whirlpool below shooting immense pieces @
timber high into the air, as il army Of giants
amusing the mselves with sve!ns.
We are informed that. on the line OF the Bal,imor.
Railroad bridges have been DESTROYED south Of IN.
Scbuylkh II is reported, that a; Smboy large par
Of the rulroad has been swep, away and lba
the cspacious depot Of the Company has beeo bow,
down Pawiiogs Mill. a, NoIrs,own, is said be de
sroyed but the toned above about Fla, Rock
Dam is probably erroneous -Psnnsycaninn.
THE STORM IN NEW YORK.
tSuxpAIioS ASD DEsTErcTIoS OF PROPERTY
[Fro Philadelphia Exchange Booksjournsl Of Commerce
NEw.YoRx. Jan &c, III T NJ.
One Of the severest gales have ever had visited
this city Saturday afternoon The day previous, the
weather mild with moderate breeze from the east
ward and no indications Of storm In the course Of
the night rain commenced falling and the wind The
time was quite fresh, inclining to gale This de-
scription of weather continued until P. n when
there was q dreadful uproar Of the elements
By3P NJ. regular gale vas upon US from The S S |
E. For an hocr and half. there was constant rush
of wind and times ragged with terrific violence Up
Maiden Lane, Broad, Sutton and Beekmsn streets, Peck
Slip, &C. saw boats plying and cotton bales Hoasing