Sunbury American. [volume] (Sunbury, Pa.) 1848-1879, 1850-09-14
From the Pottstown montgomery Ledger.
TREMENDOUS EREsHET.


TREMENDOUS EREsHET
Terrible Loss Of Life, Bridges and other Properly
Monday the I'd inst, will be marked IN 'he
local history of 'sSchuylkil Valley, as one
memorable for the greatest freshet thai mas
ever occurred in the river Schuylkil'. Inc
iain fell in this vicinity during onnuay n's"'
and broupbt on the most rapid rise OF waller
ever Witnessed No one at first an"c,Pa"''
The terrible freshei, but the continued rise
and unexampled quantity Of lumber broken
timber, hay stacks, household furniture, mi''
gearing, barrels, boats, great and sma'l, gave
evidence of a great flood in the river and its
tributary streams above US. AT one O'Clock
il began TO be evident that the bridge across
the river at this place would be swept from
i,s piers At this time the water reached the
weather boarding and the huge timbers on |
the surface commenced their ba,tering assault {
upop its frame work. AT quarter before two
o'clock, a massive wreck swept the western
end of the old structure from the abutment
and broke The bridge in two in the CEN
ire. The water still rising rapidly, the fioa-
ling timber began 10 bear heavily upon the
remaining part. In half an hour thereafter,
n large stack Of hay came against 1t ana
gently bore il from the allotment and ihe
pier, entire, aud carried it malesticaIly down
the tide, after standing the weather, wind
and water for twenty nine years.
The scene at this time was intensely inter-
cs,ing and distressing, while the wrecks oi
Douclasvie Birdsborough, three at Reading,
Port Clinton and other bridges, were passing
down the now nnimpeded current, families
residing along the river whose habtaiions
had never before been disturbed by iresheis,
were now being surrounded with the angry
waters, and the inmates compelled to secure
their property by removing it from celler TO
rarret and leave in boats, TO take lodgings
for the night with more favored neighbors.
Farm houses, barns, stables, dwellings, along
the course Of the stream from its head, TO
Pottstown, fortunately, were visited with the
highest water during daylight, so that the
advantages day afforded TO protect property
and life was enjoyed.
As a large fragment OF one Of the upper
bridges passed this point fine "porker"
seemed TO be very conten,edly promenading
upon the floor. Quite large number of
hogs were seen floating down the stream.
Atthis place the water was eight feet high
er than the July freshet, and about three feet
higher than the great pumpkin freshet'
which occurred sixty-one years ago. The
present now stands the highest freshet at this
place, known 10 the living.
We understand that one span, or half Of
the Pottstown bridge (which was swept be-
fore the large fragments of the upper bridge
reached this point) remained almost entire,
and came endwise against the fine new bridge
at Lawrenceville, 6 miles below this place,
and passed through it, breaking the timbers
of one span completely, but the roof, strange
as it may seem remaining entire and in its
place. This bridge had only been completed
but a year.
At this time part o. the Rogers Ford
bridge was already swept of, thus clearing
the river of bridges from thence 10 Potts
vile.
A thrilling scene occurred at Donglassville.
A family, not anticipating, like many others,
so unusual a rise Of water, remained in the
house, which is Of stone, until it was impossi.
BILE for them 10 leave it, They were (scven
in number,) finally driven from the second
story 10 the garrei, when their condition was
perilous. Large rewards were o.. cred 10 any
persons who would rescue them. Two sal
lors ventured out in boat, but were unsuc-
cessfu, and narrowly escaped downing.
The house, however, was standing, when the
water commenced subsiding, at O'Clock,
and the family escaped
The Reading Railroad company has lost
several bridges. The Schuylkill Navigation
company has undoubtedly sustained very
heavy damage. We of course connot get
particulars al time Of going TO press on Tues
day morning. A large break in the embank.
ment occurred on Towers low lands, miles
below this borough, few yards from were
the break occurred at the late freshet in July
The Navigation Company have received a
severe shock. The loss of property 10 private
citizens, in the aggregate, along the valley o
the river, is immense, and to paricularizs
would be impossible. The Brookes AT Birds
borough it is rumored have sustained yer,
heavy loss again.