The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-04-13

ing had been partially undermined. Steps were
Immediately taken to guard against the further
progress Of the waters there. At that time,
however, the immense waters which have been pour
Tag into the Sacramento from its mountain tributa
ries had not reached in full force. Toward night,
however, the swell in this river was very rapid and
alarming, and the combined wrath of the two rivers,
rolling by with still increasing foods, gave wide
room for well founded fears.
This state of suspense and Watching continued
until about O'Clock, when the worst epprehen-
sions of citizens realized. The solemn and
startling tones of the rebell fell upon the ears Of
the city with dismal effect. The first breach in the
levee was made just above the sluice gate, near
street, and when discovered, the water was rushing
through a space about the size of barrel. Large
quantities of hay were Immediately procured, and
every effort made to stop it, but in vain Very
large portion Of the levee, just above was washed
away, and a house carried off, in which were sleep
ing four men; one Of them is known to be drowned.
The breach at the sluiee gate was produced doubt
less on account ofthe water in the Slough beingmuch
lower than in the river The pressure without being
unressted it proved too great for the sandy earth
OF which the embankment is composed. Soon after
these breaches were made, the entire sluice gate
gave way, and mighty torrent rushed into the
Slough.
At this time there were some twenty persons stand
ing on the Third street bridge, over the Slough,
when in the rush Of waters, il was swept away.
How many escaped, it is impossible to say; num-
Der OF these were unquesti0nably drowned Amid
the war of waters, signal of distress was given by
some one firing pistol, but one had the means
at hand Of rescning him. At this stage, the waters
were found to be pouring into the city, at the head
Of Second street. Immediately all hands were con-
centrated there; and although an immense stream
OF water had been pouring into the city for some
time, yet we learn, ut present writing, that it has
been arrested there. Considerable water has acca-
mulated in the low ground, between Second and
Front streets. At Seventh street. Also stream has
found its way into the city, and large force is
concentrated there. Hopes are still entertained
that by guarding with sufficient force tho Slough,
n 90 IN hA nfI
still be saved. Bat, from present appearances this
is but the beginning Of the end.
The rain is still pouring down. without any indi-
cations yet Of cessation, and the waters OF both
rivers still on the rise While we cannot but hope
for the best, we have great for the worst APP
prehensions. 1t becomes our citizens to turn out
and lend their efforts to save the city. Too much
praise cannot be bestowed on many Of our citizens.
for their exertions to stay the flood Mayor Har-
denburgh, by his almost superhuman efforts, has
proved himself the ever watchful and faithful guar
dian OF the citys welfare. Also to Messrs. Nevett,
Culver Freaner and Marshal White the thanks of
the city are due for their untirng activity and per-
severance. We might name numerous others alike
entitled to credit.
At the falling of the bridge Third street, Mar
shall White, ii. A. Smith, and several others.of our
citizens, narrowly escaped with their lives
Lisle's bridge, we learn, has been entirely swept
away. Loss about $4,000.
From the present stage of the waters the entire
Sacramento valley, above and below, must be over
flowed and the loss of stock and dest ructon of
and other property will be immense.
The crevasse at the Slough has been partially
stopped The water is still rising at the rate of six
inches an hour.
Our citizens are diligently at work and great
hopes entertained thar city may yet be saved
from a complete inundaton.
P.S.-By Gregory's Express we learn that we
not alone in this terrible visitation On yester-
day the entire plaza at Marysville was under water
and the 1uba still on the rize.
From the Transcript Extra.
To THE PEOPLE OF SACRAMENTO.-We are direct
ed by the Mayor to urge all citizens to repair at
once to the Slough, at the upper end of town. 1t is
thought that temporary levee be thrown up
(aong the line OF the old levee which construct
ed two years ago under circumstances similar the
presently in time to the city from further inun-
dation To accomplish this object, and save perhaps
millions to the city of Sacramento it will be neces
sary for every man to work.
Let each individual appear with shovel. or some
other working implement. Let each man. also.
consider himself authorized to employ drays. teams
and everything that can be serviceable There is
still time to build levee along the upper end of
town, and across to the high land in the of the
| city, if all do their duty.
| Again we call, in the name of the Mayor, all
good citizens to rally to the The river has
reached stage when it only rise slowly, and if
the waeris kept out during the day, the city is safe
Let all bear in mind that twenty stopped the
strong current of water that was pouring into the
city at the head of Second street at three O'Clock this
morning, which otherwise would have overflowed the
can be done by the united efforts Of all able bodied
men of Sacramento. Again we say, the city can be
saved from the impending danger.
from the Union Extra.]
MONDAY, II o'clock, NJ.
The weather. which on Sunday evening cleared of
beautifully, has had most beneficial effect in check
the further rise of the waters. A cold southeast
wind sprung up early this morning, and has been
increasing steadily since, until it has become
gale The waters, which rose rapidly until day
light have begun to abate, and have already fallen
four inches in the city. The Sacramento and Ameri
rivers also receding, and if the present cold
weather and wind continue, the city will again
become nayigable for pedestrians. At present
the entire town, with the exception of a
'Hnc e' ~ 7 I'd s.eceJs i s;b
merged. Between the hours of 3 p. NJ. yesterday,
and A. Nj. to-day, the waters rose with unwonted
rapidly. and at daylight scarcely foot of ground
was visible within the precincts of the city. X
street has suffered the most severely-the water
standing at least two feet deep throughout its en-
tire length. The wooden pavement between Front
and Second answers as a floating bridge, the water
running under instead of it. II all our tho
roughfares were improved in like manner, the ne
cessty Of boats would be less apparent street is
completely inundated from the levee to the FORT al
though the water is not Deep and scarcely comes up
to the floors of the stores and dwellings in the low
est blocks Property holders in this street have suf-
fered little loss. Second street, from to X, is
the dryest of any part of the town. The stores
the levee. below street, have escaped with little
damage. The east and southeast portions of the
city, particularly all the land lying south Of and
east Of Second street. under water to the depth
of from two to four feet The brick yards, and va
uable patches of land from which the city derives
its vegetables are almost if not completely ruined.
Immense quantities of drift wood are floating all
about town. but every stick of timber is in tow Of
scowboat, or in the hands Of some amphibious fellow
of which class Of bipeds the city is crowded
From numerous inquiries we have made. we think
The principal losses, SO far have been sustained by
occupants of dwellings, and owners Of outdoor pro-
perty in the suburbs Of the town. The merchants
and others in the city owning valuable stocks Of
goods, had "taken time by the forelock,'' and re-
moved them to safer localities. The carpets and
household furniture on the lower floors of many Of
the little cottakes scattered throughout the town,
and in its vicinity, have been seriously damaged by
water but these losses are general and exceedingly
trihing, when compared with the destruction of pro-
perty during the deuge Of 1850.
The question naturally arises with many, how this
food compares. in severity, with that Of 1850. AS
regards the loss of property, there no comparison
owing principally to the fact that the citizens were
this year forewarned, and consequently enabled to