The daily phoenix. [volume] (Columbia, S.C.) 1865-1878, 1868-07-28
The Eleoa j. naItiIaoEe.


The E'lpoa ii, saitinore. / y II
We find the following particulars
.of the flood in Baltimore, in the al.
setts, Of Saturday morning: oiltia f,i
Ihe heaviest and most destructive
flood ever known, in the annals Of
this city, took place Yesterday MT
even excepting the great food OF
1887 On Wednesday night last. 4
very severe rain and thunder storm
occurred and considerably increased
the volume OF water in the streams
around the city. Yesterday morn.
ing, at an early hour, the rain COM
menced to fall and gradually increas-
ed In violence until between the
hours of 8 and 8. O'clock A. NJ. when
it fell in torrents and was accomna.
MED by considerable thunder and
lightning. About IL O'Clock M, The
water in Jones' Falls commenced to
overflow, and in a very short time
the whole of the lower portion of the
city was covered in many places to
the depth of from eight to twelve
feet. The submerged portion of
West Baltimore extended from Lom-
bard street, in South Baltimore
along Harrison to Baltimore street.
Holiday street was covered as far as
Fayette, and on South and Calvert
streets the water reached Lexington.
Along Calvert the water extended to
Pleasant street, and in North beyond
Centre.
Beyond Centre street, only O. small
portion of the ground bordering on
the falls was submerged, extending
to the Eager street bridge. The Dor,
tion of East Baltimore which was
covered was comparatively small.
The whole of the bridges, from the
Eager street bridge to the bridge over
Baltimore street, were carried away
by the water. Eager street bridge.
however, remained standing; but so
great was the force of water at that
point, that it was thought to be in a
very unsafe condition, although quite
a substantial stone structure. From
thence to Charles street the overflow
was slight. Above the Charles street
bridge considerable extent of
ground was covered, and the bridge
was swept oway. The whole extent
OF the stream was filled with all kinds
of debris, presenting everywhere a
frightful spectacle. All available
points of observation throughout the
city were lined with spectators. and
many affecting incidents were noted.
The total losses caused by this most
disastrous occurrence must be i'm
mense; but at this time no certain
estimate can be given.
The suddenness of the overflow
was, for some time, q my stery in the
city. rs, although the fall of rain was
excessive, it would by no means
account for it. The cause Of this.
however, we have since learned to be
as follows: About seven miles above
the city, the line of the Northern
Central hallway passes by Lake
Roland. At this point, an arm of
the lake extends for some distance
East of the road, connecting with
the main portion by n large culvert
passing under the road-bed. When
the storm was at its height, the
water in this arm was observed to
rise with great rapidity, covering all
the grounds around its side, and the
culvert was evidently either too
small to carry off the great volume
or was obstructed from some acci-
dental cause. About IL M. the
water commenced to run over the
bank of the roadway, forcing in the
lines of rails towards Lake Roland.
forming of them regularly inclined
line towards the lake, and then emp.
tying. with q fall of some twenty
feet, into the lake itself. This abra-
sion, once commenced, increased
faster and faster, and, SO great was
the volume of water emptied into
Lake Roland, that the water of the
lake was elevated until it was forced
over the main dam to o. height of
several feet.
From thence this extraordinary
volume OF water passed on to the
city, carrying away all obstacles to
It's progress; and, doubtless, causing
the sudden overflow and its disas
trous consequences herein recorded.
All the bridges between the lake and
the city are stated to have been car
ried away. Above the lake several
small bridges were carried away, and
three OF them were at one time to be
seen floating in the lake, with vast
quantities of fence raiIs troos ond