The pilot and transcript. [volume] (Baltimore, Md.) 1840-1841, 1841-01-12
MORE OF THE EREsHET.


4 correspondent of the Pennsylvania In quirer
who writes from Easton, Pa, under date of 9Th
Jan. says;-
yesterday the influence of the vast amount
Of rain which had fallen, and the southerly
breeze, began to display itself in the rise of the
waters of the Delaware, Lehigh and Bushlzill.
By half past o'clock, this morning, the SWELL
ing of~the waters was tremendous, equaIling the
highest freshet ever known to the oldest of our
inhabitants, or of which we have any tradition
airy record.
This morning at half past 4, the splendid
bridge over the Lehigh torn from its abut-
mentsFand hoated off mass of ruin. By s o'clock
the Delaware attained the height of 35 feet a.
bove low water mark. The noble structure of
the Bridge has, however, thus far enabled it to
resist the assaults of the current.
On the Lehigh the following bridges have
been earned away:-Bicey's bridge, the Allen
town bridge, the Bethlehem bridge, the Free
mansburg bridge, md the Eastern bridge. 1t is
reported that the Ruglesville bridge on the Della
ware has been carried away.
The Maueh Chunk Company's dam ON the
Lehigh, three miles above Easton, is said to be
injured considerably. A Mr.. Lowry and his
son, who lived at the lock house at this dam,
were carried off by the flood The son was
drowned; the father chung to log, and in this
situation was foated down to Easton. One OF
our noble watermen (Mr. Jacob Mettler) imme-
diately went to his relief, and at great risk to
himself, rescued HIM, and brought him safely to
land. We have heard of no other instance oil
loss of life except the case of young Lowrey.
The N. Y. American gives the following thrill
ling account of the destruction of bridge on the
Passaic:
SIT happened to US to be passing the Newark
viaduct, IN the train that left this city at o.
clock; and after stopping on the bridge to let
aI1ff ta1c Il.
riage bridge above, and in sight, was falling.
The train halted for while, and many of the
passengers, among whom we were, remained to
witness a magnificent, and withal as fearful
sight, as can be well imagined.
lew minutes before, the stream of the Psssa-
&c, though turbid and rushing was free from
ice, and denoted no danger. But this very ap-
pearance of comparative security was produced
by the accumulation above of the elements of
mischief
The upper bridge which was repaired and re-
stored at great expcnse last spring. had long re-
sisted the ice, with which were mingled the
ruins of bridges beyond, but it could resist no
longer, and scarcely had those who heard the
cry that the bridge was falling, time to sprinp
from the and run back to the viaduct before
part OF the bridge fell, crushing beneath the
mounting ice, which thus freed, swept rapidly
down the streom with its trophies pier after pier
gave way, the stoutest resisting but awhile
Piooucco Dy large masses oi ICE shoot
ing hiSh IN air, one over the other, impending
above what yet remained firm of the bridge, anC
then the sudden crash and demolition that en-
sued, are quito indescribable
a few minutes sufficed to sweep the whole
bridge from It's tcundation-and now the fea
was that the viaduct upon which we stool
nigh share the same fate. At Ibis critica
moment moreover the burden train from jersey
city came in sight. Mr. Robinson, the Super,
intendent Of the Railroad, instantly despatched
messengers TO direct them not to attempt &c
cross, and then warning every one 10 leave the
bridge, he caused the draws to be removed
and all stood GREATNESS while the fearful tor.
space between the pier of the viaduct allowed
and easy passage to ice ands timber-and little