Raftsman's journal. [volume] (Clearfield, Pa.) 1854-1948, 1856-01-23
HISTORY OF EXCESSIVE WINTERS.
From Graham's Magazine, Jan. 1858.

HISTORY OF EXCESSIVE WINTERS.
From Graham's Magazine, Jan 1858.
In A. D. 4OI, the Black Sea was entirely fro
zen over.
In 462, the Danube was frozen, so that The
odomer marched over the ice to avenge his
brothers. death in Suaba.
In 5I5, the cold was so intense in winter
that the birds allowed themselves to be
caught by the hand.
In 763, not only the Black Sea, but the Strait
of the Dardanelles was frozen over. The
snow in some places rose fifty feet high, and
the ice was so heaped in the cities as to push
down the walls.
In 500 the winter was intensely cold.
In 1872, the great rivers of Europe, such
as the Danube, the Elbc, and the Seine, We're
so hard frozen as to bear heavy wagons for
month. In $50, the Adriatic was frozen.
In S74, the winter was very long and severe.
The snow continued to fall from the beginning
of November to the end Of March, and en-
cumbercd the ground so much that the forests
were inaccessible for the supply of fuel.
In sol, and again in 500, the vines were
killed by the frost, and the cattlcperished in
| their stalls.
In 991, the winter lasted very long with cx-
treme severity. Everything was frozen; the
crops totally failed; and famine and pesti-
lence closed the year.
In 10i4, great 7siuo,tisies s.-~---I~.,- at4ar
the ground. The vines and fruit-trees were
destroyed, and famine ensued.
In 1867, the cold was intense, that most
of the travellers in Germany were frozen to
death on the roads.
In 112i, the winter was uncommonly severe
and the snow liy very long.
In 1888, it was extremely cold in Italy. The
Po was frozen from Cremona to the sea; the
heaps Of snow rendered the roads impossible;
the rs were burst, and even trees split
by the frost, with immense noise.
II snow was eight feet deep in
Austrfa,s Al., lay till Easter. The crops and
vintage failed and great murrain consul
med the cattle.
The winters of 1909 and 1910, were both of
them very severe, insomuch that the cattle
died for want of fodder.
In 1916, the Pc froze fifteen ellis deep, and
wine burst the casks.
In 1884, the Po was again frozen; and load
ell wagons crossed the Adriatic to Venice. y
fine forest was killed by the frost at Ravenna.
In 1886, the Danube was frozen to the bot
tom, and remained for a considerable length
Of time in that state.
In 1863, the frost was most intense in Scot
land, and the ground bound up. The Categat
was frozen between Norway and Jutland.
In 1881, such quantities Of snow fell in Aus
tria as to bury the very houses.
In 1892, the Rhine was frozen over at Brey-
sach, and bore loaded wagons. One sheet of
ice extended between Norway and Jutland, so
that travellers passed with ease; and in Germa-
ny coo peasants were employed to clear away
tho snow for the advance of the Austrian army
In 1905, the rivers in Germany were frozen;
and much distress was occasioned by the scar
city of provisions and forage.
| In 1916, the crops wholly failed in Germa-
ny. Wheat, which some years before sold in
| England st 2s. quarter, now rose to e.
! In 1923, the winter was severe, that both
horse and foot passengers travelled over the
ice from Denmark to Lubec and Dantzic.
In 1889, the crops failed in Scotland and
such famine ensucd that the poorer sort of
| people were reduced to feed on grass, and ma
ny of them perished miscraby in the fields
/ Yet in England, wheat was at this time sold so
low three shillings and fourpence quarter.
In 1874, it was clear frost from November to
March, and all the riversin Italy were frozen
! over.
In 1892, the vineyards and orchards were de-
stroyed by the frost and the trees torn pieces.
The year 140S was one of the coldest win
ters ever remembered. Not only the Danube
was frozen over, but the sea between Norway
and Denmark ! SO that wolves, Driven from
their forests, came over the ice into Jutland
In France, the vineyards and orcharls were
destroyed. Nor, sssrs.
we're frozen. Travellers ~ yre-fstea
4 Lubec to Dauszss-s y : Eas ash sh'
W;isorra ,atsa in,o :. ~ .sttle psrishcd foi
- u auoa,,r stabiins. sss of IA ,aS3, a., :
isas was Sre"' AT which he will AN - -
= ..,,rod No r., ,.s 1890. u.