The Caledonian. [volume] (St. Johnsbury, Vt.) 1837-1867, 1840-03-03
From the Northampton Courier.

GREAT FRESHET !-DEsTRUcTIoN OF THE
SUNDERLAND AND NORTHAMPTON BRIDGES +!
The warm rains and the mild weather OF
The past week have carried off the snow in great
quantities, and raised the Connecticut 10 one of
lis highest points. The ice opposite this town
started on Monday morning, and with it we
regret TO state, carried away about half of the
Great Bridge leading 10 iladley. AT s O'Clock
the ice was firm, but soon after, it began TO
move. Abont9 o'clock, Intelligence reached
town that the Sunderland bridge was coming
down the river, and would soon he brought in
contact with the Northampton bridge. To the
asioniShment and pnin of every body, how ver
long before the collision, one OF the middle
piers Of the Northampton bridge was swept off
and two reaches fell and were carried away by
TIE rush and irresistible pressure of the ice and
waters.
BY this time The river appeared literally chok
ed with the headong rush ofinbcr and crowd
ing of the ice. Nothing seemed capable Of
whhs'nndIng its power. As the Sunderland
bridge approached, resembling Il huge ark the
scene was one of the most exciting and painful
interest, and the result was watched by hun
dreds OF spectators on the high river banks, with
hreahless emotion. Nearly two hundred feet
came rushing onward, and struck about mid
way its centre against one of the outer piers OF
The Northampton bridge, where the breach had
been made. The crash was tremendous, and
every man held his breath Part of it separated
and went down the river, through the opening
the reminder was broken up like bundle OF
reeds. and passed under the bridge, which seem
ed literally To to:ter and reel under the prolg
iots power Of the collision.
| Very soon about three hundred feet more Of
the Sunderland bridge seen hurrying turi
ousy along with the maddenng elements, IL
midst tue rushing md crowding ice. 1t was
making its way eudwise, direct for the center OF
the part OF the bridge standing OH the Hadey
| SIiln Is ia nnIo IL
Sc fmed inevitable When itstrurli, it happened
! fortunately to be upon one of s piers,-and
for moment, the contest for mastery, between
The rushing ice, the floating wreck and the
Northampton bridge, was really periIoua and
sublime. The latter stood firm, yet it seemed
to reel and s,agger and brece itself, like Il strong
man, for the struggle. The crash and roar and
breaking up Of the floating mass, rs il began TO
pass under the bridge in fragments, at length rs
serted the strength and superiority Of the up
right structure. In moment more, the sus
| pense was ended, the danger was passed, an!
The broken bridge yielded to the superior
strength of the stone piers and passed in frag
ments down the stream. The victory WINS pro
claimed 10y the shouts of he spectators from
both sides OF the river. But this peasurnbie
sensation did not endure long. J, was evident
the masses OF ice, dashing against the PIERS
with headlong fury, and crow,lng upon each
other like contest OF giants, with irresistible
power, Uhu Already weakened the bridge, when
seemed TO grow giddy and faer in its SIend
fasIness, as il looked down on the frighlf
struggle which was going on around and be
meath it. Suddenly and when least expected
aud when the spectators on tho iiadey side
were eagerly crowding into it, n stone pier gave
way. The bridge yielded desparingly, scpara
ted and fell in two immense parts. upon
the rushing ice with a loud and frantic crash
The sight was sublime and thrilling. for no
ment, but when the cloud Of dust disappeared,
and the tumut Of the catastrophe subsidized,
they foated down the stream in an uprigh,
position, among the ice, serenelv as if only
sporting upon The bosom OF their own element.