Staunton spectator, and general advertiser. [volume] (Staunton, Va.) 183?-1849, 1847-12-08
THE FLOOD.

| We have been visited by the most extensive flood
that has occurred on James River within the ninc
tecnth century. The rise commenced at this placc
ABOUT 1 O'Clock On the night of the 9th instant
ana by Tor o'clock the day following, the water
had risen about % feet above the usual surface or
level OF the river. The most of the town ON Main
Street from the store of MesSrs Staples Martin &,
Co., was completely inundated There was in fac,
a continuous sheet or rather MASS of water. from
the store we have named to the opposing beiobts
on the South side OF the river, distance of half
OF threequarers OF mile, entirely COVERING the ~,
MAJ ana every emlnence between the two points in
dicated We walked 10 neighbornp hin from
which we could see both up and down the river ,
distance OF some two or three miles, and have also
! a full view of the town below and the siobt wos
truly grand and terrible. The "wde and Warring
element was spread out before the eve, bearno on
It's turbulent bosom large trees that had been hnr-
ed from their rooted BEDS and many qoodlv SHOCK
of corn and rick Of fodder, and occasionally imnln
ments OF huSbandry. In the town were seen boats
plying from store to store (and occasionally indeed
/ running into store to bear off merchandise to :,
place OF greater security families leavipo their
residences Tor safer asylnms with their more foru-
nate neighbors. BY stretch of iancy-a considera
BILE one we admt-one might have IMAGINED him
self looking on the 'sea girt city of Venice. with
It's hustle and noise its canalcd streets and its oon
dolas. 81"
This freshet was higher by two feet than that Of
az. That had hitherto been regarded at this Mace
as the guage Of high water mark, and lumber hon .
ses were considered as perfectly secure that were
not reached by it. The one occupied by NJ. Blair
Esq, was the only one in the place that stood A.
bove the point of supposed security but IT as vol
as the others involved In the general overao,,
on this occasion, and was entirely unapDroacbo
BILE from the deluge of waters that flowed between
1t and the town, that it was impossible without =
great hazard OF life TO means to secure IFS con
tents, and consequently salt and other articles tb,,
were in ii were greatly damaged.
We have not learned with accuracy the amount
OF damages sustained in the place, but though thew
are doubtless considerable, we are happy to state
that they are greatly less than the fears OF our
zens during the prevalence of the waters had
prompted them to believe they would be- We
however, fear that the damages sustained bv the
farmers both above and below this place must bo
very serious, especially below, as the Hardware
and Rivanna Rivers which enter the James below
here, were more swollen, We learn than thew have
been for several years. We have however had
no communication from below and cannot spo.l
with certainty.
Serious fears entertained for the safety, of
the canal inasmuch as it was greatly injured in 40
when the water was not as high by two feet as i,
was on this occasion. But time has done much
since then In rendering the entertainments much
hrmer, and we are pleased TO stale that we have
learned from our intelligent townsrnan J. G.
Wright, Esq, who has been mere or less connect
ed with the canal since its infancy. and who keeps
a vigllant eye to its condition, he has learned bv
personal reconnaissance and from enquiry that the
damages are comparatively inconsiderable and tbat
he believes the navigation will not be suspended
longer than the LIST Of January. This opinion is
founded upon observation of some two or three lev
els, and information from otheTs.-ScottsvIle Times