Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1865-01-26
From the Aue usta Chronicle.

Aaguss-.
: Our city and vicinity yisi ed on WedDesd'y by
the most destructive and highest rise 10 the river that
has occurred since the memorable freehet OF usus
IS53-and fact bat little # renee was percep IDLE
in the height Of water then, sod this tune only few
inches between the two freshets.
On Tuesday night the river bRg to rise very rap
idly and suddenly aod by dwight "Wednesday morn
ing had over flowed its northern bank 10 such an ext Mt
as to inundate tie whole OF tie town of Hamburg,
c. and large portion OF the southern and south west
ern sections Of this city. All day W sdnfsday the wa
ter continued RISE and midnghto OF that day 1t
did not show any sgos OF falling about two ocl ock
on Thursday morning it became evident that the water
was recedng.
From the lime the river began to fall the water re-
ceded at the rate abe ut inches to the hour, and
at our present writing all danger TO any further dam
age is dissiPaed, and the minds OF our cltz ns o.
ease.
1t is impossible 20 ascertain the full amount OF dam
age caused by this )od the entire town OF ham
burg was submerged vas also great portion oil this
city. In Hamburg the water reached depth OF leu
feet level, and nearly every fence WAS swept away
many instances entire houses were carried ca oy the
current, which at the rate OF SIX miles an hour
Trees were uprootsd furniture Ia the lower eores OF
houses or oxen and destroyed number OF cattle drowned
aud large quantity OF poultry lost The store oil Mr.
Damn was forced open and one side entirely severed
from the building. An Clubhouse belonging to VII
Iams, Esq, swept CT, were as, bis fences at
tached The dwelling. he fences aud portions OF the
outbuildngs attacked to Mr. Levy's hotel were also
destroyed. The feucing and gateways at Mrs. W. b.
Gates dwelling oated Of, and 10 fact scarcely fomlly
in that town escaped unharmed.
The hills back OF Hamburg presented q plcturasque
sight On Wednesday and Thursday pigh's az number
of parties rendered houseless for the ZINE were CON-
PEELED to camp ont, and make the best OF the time
possible
The railroad track f?r five hundred feet on the South
Carolina side washed away, and several days must
elapse before the damage can bs repaired.
The passengers by The train on "Wednesday eight,
were compelled to remain all night three miles from
Hamburg, and take boats for Augusta IN Thursday
INC ming.
The bridges across the river were ona time in i'm
rIinsnt danger of being swept away but the weather
boarding on the railroad bridge was knocked awey
which in all probability saved both structures large
force of workmso under the charge Of experienced
engineer at work mig BIT and day, keeping of logs
and other DISTINCTIONS and fortunately both bridges
weathered out the food-and with the exception OF
the centre pier of the railroad bridge beng slowed out
of place little. and of heavy supports OF the
loot bridge giving way both structures sound and
in good condition
The water, when at i,s height, was up to the track
on the bridge, and the greatest depth reached wac
thirty.fV feet.
Ia Augusta, the water ovetHowed the whole OF
Broad street. from the Lower Market to the extreme
upper end and nearly every store and dwelling suffered
more or less by bavipg their cellars OVehowed. Not
much damage VS. done TO the property In the cellars,
their contents IN most cses ID been removed De ore
were damaged fore it could be removed. The steam
lumber works of W. n. g )odrch suffered some loss,
the back feace washed away, and soue four thou
sand feet of foe lumber carried III.
We have been unable to scertan that any lives
lost It reported several parties been drowned
~ Hamburg bat we could trace the to reli,
able source
A one stcry brick building, o. the corner Of Green
and Cumming streets, belonging to q MIR Mcknight,
entirely demolished by he force of the WATER as
nj fran md
houses in the neghborheod of the Waynesboro Depot
and the southwestern section of the city.
The tracks Of all the railroads more or less dam
aged ard under water to such exteGt to prevent
travel into the city for day or two.
We learI the canal was damaged, but not to a.grest
extern.
The streets all the city present dapidated con
dtion, the bridge and foot sings ia most instances
being either damaged entirely washed away. 1o
some places holes have been washed Ia the streets to
the depth OF five to eight feet and it 10 astonishing thai
accidents OF any note occurred, az many citizens
made periloas voyages across them.
1t lively and amusing sight, to witness thos'
who were bold enough to attempt to cross the by
streets. 10 many caser they upset and received
terrible drerching. Broad street during Wednesday
and Thursday. was alive with batteaux carrying pas
seDgers to and ire, for the moderate of from $40
to S50-t making difference to the distance r ay
elled. good business done in this way by the
owners Of these boats.
Many persons were compelled to be hsuled about On
drsys and carried the flooded streets on horse
back.
wood, which is being gatht red by all who have boats
other OF securing this much needed and very
high stepe OF domestic uss.
During the afternoon of Wednesday frame house
drted down the river and fars entertained that
when it reachs the bridge it would carry the strue-
ule with it, but fortunately the house was the weaker
of The two and demolished by the collision.
This cod will long be remembered by eyeryb body re-
siding here. We trust shall be released from any
such wet atusons, for the balance OF the year
least 40 they are very comfortable to moderate
phrase.
The freshet put an embargo on all travel the mails
were delayed, and the consequence have been
BILE to gather but little if aay news, hut trust alb
will be we'll shortly again
From the CoRstitu onaIist.
Up to Tuesday evening the Savannah rivet had been
rising with some rapidly, but anticipated the
angry turbulent tide that presented Wednesday
morning. The recent rains had been in wise heavy
and it was not supposed that the in the noun
tains had melted to such an extent to produce a
reshet Yet during Tuesday night the river very
quickly and by morning ha1 passed its banks sweeping
everything before it. The suburbs to the west OF the
city were Inundated and the eager watchers were bur-
rJing through the streets. By noon every avenue was
miniature river the current dashiGg along cataract
speed.
ALI busloess was necessaTiy suspended that IL
cident to the protection and preservation of property
Pedestrians found themselves water-bourd upon all
sides. Ska. and other craft brought into
requlsitGn and vessels Of all sorts were impressed to
transport passengers furniture, baggage, ETC. Ladies
who had venured out caught by the rapidly swell
ling waters and forced to seek wagons and draws for
safe carriage home. The OIL lucky fellows were the
wandering cavalrymen Who fearless for the nouee of
Provost Guards, plunged madly and furious!y about
upon their horses. By nghta Broad street. from one
extremity the other billOwv sea trsvorsed ohu