The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-07-11
STORMS.
The Flood in Oneida County, N. Y.-Trains
DelRyed-Great Loss Of Property-A Break
in the Erie CauuI. g.1.I

Delayed-Great Loss of Property-A Break
in the Erie Canal. g9a1
From the Utica Evening Observer July 81
At eleven O'Clock yesterday morning the
shone with true summer lervOr. The sky was
almost cOudless the promise Of a sunshiny after
noon was never brighter. Al i-past eleven the
western sky was dark, and few minutes later the
black mass emitted heavy rumbllng sounds which
some weather rom ancst mas c, edited to "Heaven's
artillery" The thunder WIS welcomed by thou
sands. ut viii be COO er after this" said the wise
ones, and all save the pcnlckers were glad. Pre-
sently the sun went behind q cloud and II hasnt
been seen since. few mlnu5es later every speck
blue sky was Obscured. Sharp gusts Of wind
tion. The clouds gathered rapidly, and the twelve
O'Clock strokes on the CITY nan bell seemed to DO
the signal for the "a sing OF the flood gates
Ours Is RAINY section. Last June was the rain
lest month In twelve years. Our experience with
moisture qualities us to judge as to the merits OF
ra n water vsltatiOns. Knowing all about the sub
Ject therefore, we pronounce the storm OF yesterday
the 1ercest on record In Oneida county. 1t was OF
DURATION but never, within the recollection Of
any one has the fall Of rain here been heavier
Within ten minutes ai,er the Storm burst every gut
ter creek, and ten minutes later every street
Tle drops seemed to be as large as mans hand
and a. times the quantity OF water IN the air would
make 1t impossible for one to distinguish Oh
jec,s across the street. Vivid flashes of light
ming and peals OF thunder varied the storm. Al
quarter of an hour the city was completely housed.
Several trees were struck by lightning on Corn Hill,
rowly escaped destruction Tue canal overlooked in
the vicinity OF Hotel street, and the water went tear
lag down HOel street after the fashion or Niagara
rapids A little further west, where the canal runs
closer to Liberty street. the water poured over the
tOwpath over the street and down into the Second
ward, flooding cellars, destroying gardens and
irle ntenng inhabitants That portion q the Second
ward known as the welsh settlement" was almost
literally anOaC for about half an hour Geneeee
street. In the neghborhood Of the depot presented
very angry maritime appearance. The accumulation
ments OF the liquid were extremely active. Down
near the freight house the tracks were submerged,
ana further east near the starch factory the debris
were cleared away shortly and both tracks are now
in perfect order. West Of the city and as far ND as
Ortskany the water covered the track, damaging the
couldn't SWIM afiOat 81. r.
Later in the afternoon came intelligence of dis
ley Railroad. The train due here at four O'Clock
yesterday afternoon had not arrived here at noon
to-day. train left this morning, but II In
not known u exactly how far It was able
Ia badly damaged ana Chadwicks dam Is completely
destroyed. In manv places between SauquOit and
New Hartford the water has washed away the en-
bankmenr, rendering the passage OF trains impOs-
slne. The bridge this side Of New Hartford village
was carried away, and communication for street.
cars was stopped most ABRUPTLY. ..t .r
damaged by tue n0od to the amount OF SIS 600. The
Mood gates were insufficient to carry or The waste.
and the water tore over the banks with such force
as to carry or TWO bulkheads from the dam. On tho
first moor OF the factory building the water six
feet Ia depth, the damage to cordng and machinery
reaching thousands Of dollars. Two hundred tons
OF coal were washed away and three barns were
destroyed.
BKEAK IN THE CANAL.
serious break occurred In the Erie Canal, which
will make 1t necessary to draw the water from this
level. The trouble 10 OccasiOned by the overflow Of
water in the Starch Factory Pond, and IL results IN
washing i25 feet Of the BERN bank into the canal.
Will take nearly week to repair the break. large
force OF men is employed at the OF the break.