The New York herald., 1869-02-03
THE DANBURY DISASTER
BURSTING OF THE RESERVOIRS.
Full Particulars Of the Loss Of Life and Pro-
perty---Scenes and Incidents.

Rarely has the usual quiet OF New England town
been 80 suddenly and fearfully disturbed was
Danbury on sunday night The brief outline OF the
terrible disaster which appeared IN the morning
papers yesterday told the tale OF ruin; but no de-
scrption, however vivid, could properly portray the
fearful scene OF desoation in all its sickenng
details. Like most OF the calamtous accidents
which are chronicled from time TO time this was
caused by the most criminal neglect The town off,
Gals who have direction OF the water supply not
paid by the borough, but are merely honorary
officers. Some four months ago break was dis
covered in the upper dam and the matter In due
time reported to the authorities. There was some
talk then OF drawing or the water and mending the
rent, but whether the expense was too well
considered or that the oficers were unwilling to
dertake the trouble ana responsibility OF the act
nothing was done, and the ssure through which the
water constantly flowed increased in width until
Sunday night. when the whole front part OF the dam
suddenly gave way. The sixty acres OF water II
contained rushed down on the lower reservoir which
held ten acres and swept 1t with 1t also, the
whole forming deep and wide volume
OF water. Both dams were built OF loose stone and
earth, and the water twenty five to thirty feet
deep In each. The distance from the upper reser-
voir TO the city is nearly I've miles, and the
elevation above the level Of the river, which
feet. The connection between the upper and
lower dams was by q twelve inch pipe The pres
sure OF water In the feed pipe ninety-s pounds
20 the square inch. The velocity Of the water rush.
ing from the upper dam, taking the lower one with
IL aud sweeping through the narrow gorge that
leads down TO the town, was therefore very great.
THE DISASTER.
rhe horrors OF the night will long dwell in the
minds OF the citizens Of Danbury. Just as the bells
ceased to ring the people to evening1worship low.
waiiing sound noated on the air. and
a prolonged roar, as II the mountain had
parted from its moorlngs and was rushing on the
devoted town. Many persons in Their houses were
so greatly frightened that they dared not so out,
ed with painful anxiety the approach Of what each
felt TO be an impending calamity Suddenly cries were
heard Ia the direction OF the river and Oil whom fear
had not paraiyzed rushed to ascertain the cause
AT WHITE STREET BRIDGE
the scene was terrific for the short time lasted.
The water came upon the village through the gorge
above Flini's dam, bringing with 1t huge masses OF
stone and lumber !. eane gr wta iear,ni we Seocy
bank, sweeping them from tneir foundations In an
instant. Rushing down the mats along the norsn
ana east Of Nam street II carried destruc-
ton to everything before 1t. Fully fifteen
feet above the bed OF The stream the water bubnled
aud foamed with roaring noise. while huge stones
that had lain deep IN their rocky bed were seEt
whrlng before the torrent Pieces OF ice oi immense
size which covered The water In the reservoirs
tumbled and clashed together, impeed BY the force
OF the surging water. Like dice dung from box,
ae white & ~ he ann
of drowning men, women ana Children, caught In
the wild whrl Of rushing water: tine creaking OF
lumber dashlng madly 10 and fro; the harsh Of
the triumphant waves dashng madiy forward on
errand OF death and destruction, appalled, the
spectators who stood upon the high ground unable
70 render assistance TO the unfortunate persons
caught in the maelstrom.
THE SCENE BY MOONLIGHT.
The terrible rear OF the water merging into q
low, humnling sound still fingered IN the valley.
wncn The moon rising above Claobord Ridge, dis
the rayine and Ga H. and brought out into full relief
sad Thrown z oEsner The moons ra anng
down through lr and bush, az nrst touched the
Whine head of the opposite hill With long fingers OF
gancng light: ululnnaled the dark recesses OF the
rocks tnaf hung the crest OF the ridge ana
brought out strong relief against the starlight sky
the "nde-reaching arm Of the hoary oaks, whicn
stood, spectrelke, over the scene of ruin. As
the moon the valley OF the Kohanzie
''u ce' tnronn twenty zee. above above tn the Level ieyei Of
the rivers head, prismatic colors IN million
Of EARTH Looking down from the crest OF the ridge
the scene In the valley was one oi wnd but grand
magnlacence Blocks o. Ice from 900 10 ave tons In
huge pieces or frozen water and stoue welded
toeethef stood bolt upright. or stretched along the
IN the vice cavities Of the rocks through
wRich the running stream murmured . mourn
iu melody, ghostlIke bodies OF disturbed ice
hay huideG together Where the moons rays were
Ohstructed oy higa blufs dark SHADOWS stretched
scene OF lziing beauty. To people VINO were at
tsacted there from tie neiyhborng farm houses by
the roaring, crushing sound which tied the air
~"lis tae dread element was on it, march
II destruction, the weird appearance OF the
usually sn0lth ana reacefal valley truly ap-
pal u IN Tie still ess OF the night when the
mind vas oyerwatlmed win the sense OF a s1dden
aad rtnie eaaniiy the thousand white objects
kterng "a he .igAt OF TIE moon, the low mnrinur-
ing VI the stream and the signing wind did not sus
2tst ne thought tat the spirits OF the dead
( a. wht in
srie places, as regularly placed as II laid out with
hls q q compass and in others thrown careessly
tlgettcr looked Ike hea1stones In a ceAefery. In
the centre of the valley on ridge OF rock, maple
tree. mangied and shattered. spreads II branches
stones about its root and gistened the moonlight
fac force Of tue water was evidently greater
wnicl had lain imbedded the stream were cast far
~ On the ridge, and blocks Of granite, OF which
portion OF tle abutnents OF the dams were built |
mere hundled one upon another in picturesque con-
fusion. The earth, which formed the prnftpal in |
sreaent q tue dams nhsd the crevices. and. soon
mingled. covered every small object the torrent oy
rue counsE OF THE TORRENT
Was through me valley OF kohanze easterly TO
Fiints dam and from thence soutneriy to Stiu river
1t the junction OF White street, where It spread and
poured along the railroad track for the distance OF
nile and hall. Following the track OF the desoat-
lng element from the lower dam the character
and extent OF the calamity was plainly seen
the fences and trees which marked the
was DIVIDED. The scene at the lower end OF tie
range OF hills overlooking the town, by when the
water rushed In impetuous force, was one OF black
iesolailon scarcely tree had been left standing
and huge spurs OF rock which stood In the path or
The current were swept away. There were not
nany buildings fortunately, la the vicinity of the
dam and the few houses that did stand near Il were
Dulit on high ground. A little above and below
fiints dam, however, number OF wooden houses
stood directly in the track OF the hood. aud these
were entirely demolished. Wnat the force OF the
water faicd to destroy huge blocks OF ice from the
dam, borne forward with terrific force, speedily de-
muiished. sweeping southwark from flint's mf to
WITCH The water raised 10 the second story spread
over tbe level meadow, and from thence carry ing
the debris ~ the wrecks and blocks OF Ice With ~
rushed on Tie ~ lroad track, roofing up the ties and
uamag,ngtIe bril<e over Washing river.
SCENEs AND INCIDENTS.
In 1bout hieen minutes after the frat prrrnonitory
roar Of the approaching torrent had been heard
all was over Thirteen person, who were utterly
unconscious OF the near approach Uf death, were
buried into eternity and the homes OF many