The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-11-06
AFRICA.
Disastrous Floods In the Colony Of Natal
Loss oil Life and Immense Destruction oil

Loss oil Life and Immense Destruction oil
Property.
From the Cape Town Argus, Sept. 1871
Since "tne Hood" OF 1855 no disaster has befallen
the colony to compare with that which has just be-
fallen as from the same cause. On Friday afternoon,
the Stn OF August, the rain began to fall with
out, almost without ntermsson, until the forenoon
OF Monday, space Of about sixiy-aye hours. bur-
p Nj on SATURDAY, the wind came from the
south and southeast from which quarter our
heaviest, although 10y no means most frequent rains
come. On Monday the clearing up was heraided
by the wind going gradually round TO the northward
OF east and by the breaking up OF the clouds show
ing blue sky. On the morning Of the first day the
barometer stood ut 2900.T; the following day at
1920. at which 1t continued tho third day; the
two days following when the storm was passing and
past, indicating 30 1915. The rain which fell during
Its continuance al MerebAnk, Mr.. Lamport's sugar
pantaon. amounted, Us stated by that gentleman III
interesting let er TO the Mercury 10 III inches.
On sunday, tue rising of the rivers and especially
OF the Umgeni, indicated that heavy fallen
fears began to be entertained Tor the safety
OF the bridges. Al The queens bridge,
the Ungen, about mile and half from the
sea- reeds, sugar canes Trees and at length two lit
tic timber bridges from feeders OF The main stream
were constantly being carried down ana as the level
Of the water approached tue girders OF the bridge
this debris began TO be arrested and 10 accumulate.
About midnight large portion OF the queens
bridge Itself gave way. how much could not. OF
course be known In the darkness and The Storm
aud about four A. M. the remainder was swept OIL.
Daylight showed the approach on the purban side
on the further side OF the roaring guf,
the extremlties OF the white haudras were
all that could be seen of The Queens bridge.
Injuries TO the railway prevented trains running,
hut soon "a the weather moderated many per-
About midday the water was then said 10 have
fallen nye feet, statement | saw some reason to
doubt; but the tops OF three % the circular piers
and fragment oi the roadway hanging down into
the stream were all was tlen 20 he seen u the bridge
lar down the stream, toWads the sea, IN more than
one place, curcd huge foamiag waves, If eau ed
~ had 80 lately spanned. Mt02chsr. a. was a grand
and terrible sight. ihreu5n gorge l,cgO or
clothed with weiro-looAlng euphDrDas and
other trees, hurried on the angry waters,
Held over which they had been spreading deyasa
ton. But ior an embarrassment placed across mar
row part Of q lOwiyng marsh on the Ian Inside Of the
sandaills KNOWN az tie Ba,kDsach Bush, tue river
would undoubtedly have poured doWa into tue bay,
carry ng, AS In lo56 devastation into the very town
OF Durham as IL was the rainfall had 0ccn far too
great 10 be carried OIL ny suc drains exist, and
much injury was done III some OF the lower lying
paris of the town. large body Of water which
could not he taken by ono OF the principal drains.
was damned back by the en,haukmcnt OF the Pine
Terrace extension of the railway: and had the ram
continued bat Tow hours longer, there il much
reason To believe tue elnOakmenl mas nave VI sded
carrying devastation Through TIC yefy heart OF tue
town.
As II was the damage done In the town. although
serious, - iar less tnan vas anticipated tut Il ~
on the roads ana bridges, ant IN the surar and
COTE plantations, and the smaller estates aud farms
that the greatest amount Of damage has been DONE
For days me malis were stopped altogether or de-
layed and even now. week after. Intelligence has
not vet been received from OF the more remote
parts OF the colony. Tue great Muias sat Attending
from the head OF tie bay to the lsip ngo, ffte IN
miles distant, and to considerable extent cuiti.
waited for sugar, was under water, and much damage
has been DONE although tile extent ~ not yet
known. The two Mulas bridges. the public one and
that 10 the Reunion estate, were carried on aud the
river itself now flows some 1900 yards ON tho
hither side Of Its former cbanpel. Lower down tho
coast, es well IA up north ward similar damage has
been sustained both by individuals and by the COM