The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1854-05-01

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shore running parallel with the dam Immediately over
the p The waters after leaving the aprons overflow
graveied bed for about two hundred feet the extre
nifty Of which they are again broken by brush dam
composed OF hemock logs after passing which the river
hows on in its natural channel until reaches tho Hud
SON. at about six miles from this point Over the brush
da and about three hundred below the face Of the
main structure bridge has been erected for the conve
nience Of travellers and from position which the fall
over the dam is received with the facility and to the
greatest advantagetbe water its passage over the
dam presents beautiful lacework- like appearance eli
citing the admiration of all who view IT, By far the
greater and most difficult part structure IS hidden
IRON the view, but sufficient viii be found in this part
OIL the work to arrest the attention of the tourist aud
wlrepay the admirer Of the beautiful in art nature
for his trouble in reaching this sequestered spot.
To-day we hope to receive information that viii enable
US to announce the extent of the damage done At pre-
sent we have every to believe that the breach
very extensive, and tina. many weeks IL not months will
elapse before the repairs completed
THE DAMAGE ON THE LINE OF THE HAIR
LEM RAILROAD.
OVERFLOW OF THE MOUNTAIN sTRKAMs-FREsHEr
IN THE CRoToN RIvER-COTT0N MILLS AND
DWELLING HOUSES SWEPT AwAY-BRIDGEs CUL-
vERTs, FENCES AND Farm HOUSES DESTROYED.
The disastrous effects Of rain storm being
made manifest along the Of the Harlem Railroad
between Albany and New York, in o most extensive
destruction Of both public and private property caused
by the sudden overHowng Of the Croton river
quencs Of its reception of the mountain streams which
now into 1t when in a swollen state.
The express train from Albany which due in this
city at quarter past nine o'clock Saturday night
was not heard from at four O'Clock yesterday evening"
and great anxiety felt here in consequence Of report
being circulated to the effect that the dam Of the aque
duct at Coton Falls had burst and that serious &C.
cdent had beaen the passengers the road In conse
quence
We despatched reporters various quarters in order
to ascertain the facts of the matter the following is
the result Of their Inquiries
The Sunday express train of the Harlem railroad
which runs between White Plains and New York. arrived
at the depot in Twenty street at ten minutes
past seven O'Clock yesterday evening having for its
ductor Mr. Demarest, and bringing as passenger Mr..
Burchll the conductor Of the Albany express train,
which he had been compelled to abandon Brewsters
station.
Mr. Burchil left Albany at four o'clock Saturday
afternoon in charge Of express train consisting of the
usual number Of cars which were then filed with male
passengers only.
As the train progressed the country could be observed
as being completely flooded all the low lands and
the travellers saw that many barns had been swept
away and that here and there large portions Of fences
had been destroyed. Trees were seen prostrate and
the. cattle had retreated from the fields lying near
the base of the mountains owing to the mpetuosty with
which the swollen streams rushed down.
However, the train did not meet any obstruction and
kept it's route until 1t reached Brewsters station which
is within ffty-two miles of New York. Here it was
found that fifty feet Of the railroad track had been torn
up, owing to the overowng of the Croton river and
were halted The got out in perfect good
humor and commenced to look for shelter in the
neighborhood, whilst Mr. Burchill, accompanied by
others, walked on to Purdy's station.
At Purdy's station the water had torn up thirty
forty feet of track levelled large extent Of wooden
fence and flooded several houses. Some wooden saAn
ties completely carried away.
At Newcastle, mile south, the volume Of water
had been vastly increased. About hundred and City
feet Of the iron track completely uprooted large
mill DAM which situated at distance OF mile and
half west from the road had burst and the tremen-
dous rush Of water which followed Immediately sub
merged large cotton factory with four five buildings
which used for manufacturing purposes It could
not be ascertained whether the houses totally de-
sroyed not, the at the place bafed any at
tempt at adequate description Bales of cotton chairs,
wagons uprooted trees, broken fences, with general
miscellany of agricultural, manufacturing and domestic
/ implements floating the surface of the
] agitated waters.
Mr. Burchil being compelled to come on to New York
in order to report himself crossed the stormy waters
by plotting himself bale of cotton, which was a very
dangerous feat, and presented active railway
| ductor in rather novel situation.
! Mr. Burchl continued his journey in the train which
started from White Plains
At Pleasantvile cuvert, which under the track,
of about fifteen feet wide had burst in of
| the volume of water which rushed through It, por-
on of the track of the road swept away here ALSO
The under portion of the bridge between williams
and Hunts bridges found to have been carried
but on yesterday evening great many workmen were
repairing it, so that communication with White Plains
| it is hoped, will be resumed today.
4bor ~ IL.
suit of the sudden overfowng of number of mountain
streams usually insignificant, the aggregate of which
owing to the rain Of the past few days caused the river
to overflow and produced the disastrous results des
cribed
At nine O'Clock last night Mr.. Elliott superintendent,
of the road actively engaged in arranging for the
work of four hundred men, and hoped that communca
ton with Albany would be opened three four days
Mr.. Demarest, conductor of the Sunday express train
from White Plains stated that at Newcastle Corners the
dam of the cotton factory OIL &v Kirby of New York
had suddenly burst and that IT had been reported him
that the water had swept away three houses and
that several hundred feet Of the railroad track had been
carried away
At White Plains bridge carried of completely
At Pleasantve the sbutment OF the bridge was gone
the embankmsnt was torn away, and there huge
hole Of about tweaty feet wide, made in the bridge
Several of the buttresses which supported the iron
bridge at willamsbridge gone and the could
not pass for time Several spiles driven during
the day, and hoped the injury would be
medied As far Mr. Demarest travelled the country
presented strange, wild and melancholy appearance.
Miniature lakes visible in unusual places. Cotton
bales and large trees floating in company; few
rocking chairs hanging the limbs Of trees; the
cattle had retreated, and no human being visible
We have to thank Mr.. Murphy, ticket.master Of the
Harlem Railroad, with Mr. Demarest and Mr. Burchill
| for attention to our reporters.
THE HUDSON RIVER ROAD.
The Albany and Hudson River Railroad has by no
means escaped the general destruction Of the storm
On Saturday the nine o'clock express train from Al.
bany first encountered land slide at Rverdae about