The Daily spy. [volume] (Worcester [Mass.]) 1845-1850, 1848-11-20
From the Springfield Republican.
GREAT DISASTER.

GREAT DISASTER
Destruction of the immense Dam at the Had
ley Falls Company at ''Hdmpden City, In
the same paragraph in which we announced the
completion of the great dam of the Connecticut
River, by the Hadley Fails Company, at the
New City," nine miles north oil Springfield, we
have also 10 record its destruction. Both events
occurred on the same day-Thursday-t one
in the morning and the other in the afternoon
Fifteen hundred to two thousand people prob
ably lined the banks of the river al the time the
gates were let down, which was at 10 O'clock
And the number who visited the dam during the
day could not have been less than three thousand
at moderate estimate.
1t was truly sight worth some trouble to see
the stopping OF the waters of the Connecticut
In their onward progress 1t was the hand of
man arresting the course of one OF natures most
mighty powers, and could not but awaken the
most sublime thoughts in the minds OF all beho-
ders But nature would not brook the control
that man had laid over her-ere the dsy was
spent she resumed her own majestic sway, and
bid defiance to the hand that would bind her.
From the first, considerable imperfection was
manifested at the bottom OF one OF the gates
which appeared to have been injured by its fall
into its place, and much water was allowed to
escape from that part of the dam. Measures
were taken for stopping the leak by placing grav-
Ell, brush, &C., over the defective part These
efforts were continued, but without the desired
success, until 1t became evident that the struc-
ture was likely to give away, when the dam W as
cleared of the persons upon it, and crowds await
ed in suspense the sides the end that was to
come.
They had not long to wait In few minutes
breach was made at the imperfect point, which
widened with great rapdty, and almost immedi-
ately three.fourths OF the whole structure were
swept away, leaving but small portion on each
slde' when the water broke through, the pond
mad hiled to within several feet OF the top, and
the pent up waters rush forth with mighty pow
er and dashed and tumbled over the rocky bed
below, sweeping away with them the now bro
ken and scattered but still huge portions OF the
wreck. The scene was both magnificent and
irlghtul. To describe it were impossbe-no
pen thinner could convey 1.-THE of the impress
Sion That is wildly marked on the minds of all
who witnessed it. Strong hearts trembled within
them, and every face was pale at the sight. The
labor of many minds and hundreds of hands for
long SUMMERTIME pride and the confidence of
the constructors, just in the hour OF triumph
were swept off in an instant; and nought but the
huge wreck that remains, is left to tell the nigh
uest structure OF the character, that was ever
Dult IN this country.
Inc precise time of the disaster was twenty
minutes after three o'clock, and the whole de-
strucuon was the work of a moment Had not
the dam gave way at the centre as it did break
age would probably soon have occurred at the
western abutment. The massive stones com.
posing the sides OF the bulkheads there were up
heavng, under the immense pressure of the wa.
Ter and 1t was at that point that the greatestdan.
ger was apprehended. Had the water forced II.
sell through here, it would have swept over the
whole village and caused almost unimaginable
injury.
Notwithstanding the many rumors TO the con.
tFary, we cannot learn that single life was lost
on ms occasion. Hundreds of men and women
ana children crossed the dam on the top and be-
!ow' during the day; but the approaching calam-
ny gave such warning of its coming, as to drive
all from the most exposed points, and tits believ.
ed that no one persisted in the flood.
Inc loss by this unlocked for catastrophe can.
not be rightly estimated. The dam was bmlt for
the company by Messrs Boody & koss and All
the loss lails OF course on the former The cost
OIL the work is not even known. but bas hoon
reckoned at between $4,000 and 800 900. =
mucn OF II, however, remains, and can be mada
useful IN reconstruction, which those who
know the character of the men engaged IN 49,
enterprise, need no assurance will he entoraJ
upon without more delay than is necessary TLe
lh'''us tnat could conceive, and the indomitable
energy that could carry forward so grand and
a. Oh Undertaking, Of which this was
sne mrs. ana chietest means tr perfecting. will
oue.y moi DC panied by any disaster, however
great, SO long as science, and skill. and exno,;
ehce 100, yet remain for their guidance. Anau
dam' built in still more substantial stvIe ,han
was the late one, will doubtless be thrown across
the river, int the course OF another season: and
1t was not expected to let the water into The 90
nal before another fall, no very serious delav 70
the progress OF the grand enterprise will perhans
result from what has happened.
Inc dam, which has been destroyed, was over
one thousand feet long, and about thirty feet
nign. ~ was constructed OF immense timbers.
,as,ehed 'ogether and to the rocks OF the river
bed, on which the whole structure rested WITH
iron bolts. Great pains were taken in the CON.
suuclion oil all the parts OF the work, aud lie de-
suucuon under the circumstances, is a sad dis.
appointment to ell parties.