New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-06-04
THE LAST GREAT FLOOD
REAR OF THE CITY SUBMERGED
Families DESERVING Their Homes
Closing the Crevasses

The recent easterly winds had the effect
to drive the lake water toward the city,
filling the two canals to an unusual height,
and also filling swamps near the lake shore.
Still little was thought of the matter until
Friday evening, when it became apparent
that there was danger of one or both the
canals breaking or eyerfowing their banks,
especially as rain continued to fall to an
unusual extent, while stiff breeze was
blowing all day.
About nine o'clock yesterday morning a
messenger came in from Hagan avenue,
with the intelligence that a crevasse had
occurred at that important point in the
New Canal Steps were Immediately taken
to remedy the misfortune. Water poured
through the break with considerable force,
running into and filling the valley between
Claiborne street and Metairie Ridge. The
lowest place is just beyond the horse sta
ton on Canal street, and in the evening the
railroad track was submerged so that cars
could not run with safety, and, therefore,
they were withdrawn. Citizens in that un-
fortunate vicinity began to prepare for
moving to more favored localities as it was
apparent they would be drowned out. The
water continued to rise until night, flow
ing on toward Canal Carondelet. The
prospect was indeed dreary one for
dwellers in that section, and they appeared
perfectly Respondent.
For several days past the shell road,
between the Halfway House and the lake
has been covered with water, so that
buggies could not go out with safety, but it
was thought the trouble would pass away
as soon as the wind veered into another
quarter.
The break at Hagan avenue, six or seven
squares beyond Broad street, increased in
extent every minute, for the levee had
become greatly softened by constant rains,
and when water gained an exit, cut the
banks easily, permitting large volume to
pass through. During the day the city
authorities sent out gang of a hundred
laborers, with tools and material for active
operations. The men were put to work,
laboring all last night. To-day this Gre
vase will be closed and the levee made
secure. All the weak points will be filed
in and secured to-day.
The rumors that breaks had occurred at
the head of Galvez and Broad streets were
unfounded, although the water lacked but
a few inches of reaching the top of the
levee.
We are assured that before night the
closed At dark last evening the break
was about sixty feet long.
At the lake end of the New Canal all was
covered with water, the citizens being COM
PEELED to use boats in moving about
Several families concluded to seek refuge
in town, as they feared the worst results.
The Old Canal was also bank-full, and
those interested watched the constantly ris-
ing water all day. However, no serious
break occurred until about six o'clock in
the evening. A weak, low place, near Ma
rails street, the lower side, gave way, and
the flood ran into St. Peter street and Caron-
delet walk, at first quite leisurely but in
half an hour had gained such headway that
that entire section was threatened with
flood. AS soon as the crevasse was discov-
cred notice was sent to the authorities, but
Administrator Cockrem and Surveyor Bell
were actively engaged at Hagan avenue.
The citizens near Marais street made no
effort to stay the crevasse, nor could they
have accomplished much, for the lack of
some one to direct operations and to supply
al L
reaches uncommon dimensions by daylight,
it will be closed before sundown.
The next bad point was Marigny canal,
which broke in two places, letting out suf-
ficient water to overflow a large portion of
the rear part of the Third District. Many
poor families were driven from their homes,
losing many small animals, while their gar
dens and grounds are entirely ruined.
Their losses are really serious, and their
condition is lamentable. Great suffering
will certainly ensue.
At dark last evening Bread street was
covered to the depth of about eighteen
inches, and citizens, having obtained few
skiffs, were compelled to desert their homes
for more secure sections
Streets in the First District were flooded
in as far as Roman street, close to Clai-
borne street, and still encroaching. Hun
dreds of families in the valley bounded by
Claiborne street the ridge and the two canals
will be forced to seek homes in urban por-
tions of our city until the flood shall sub
side. Their losses can not be estimated in
dollars. 1t is expected that this section will
be relieved within a short time, provided
the rain ceases to fall.
The draining machines were powerless,
as the water was too high for them to
work.
Above the New Basin, back of the Jack
son railroad depot, the whole country was
nearly submerged, caused by water from
the draining canals swelled by the rain
That section, except on Washington ave-
nue., is sparsely inhabited.
A small canal in the rear of the
Third District is over Its banks, and
people living in that neighborhood will be
compelled to leave. This rise is caused by
water from the lake.
At half-past six o'clock last evening Lake
flowing toward town. At Milneburg, at
the same hour, the water was two feet six
inches deep. The PontchartaiR railroad
track at Gentilly road was fifteen inches
under water at dark, when a train of cars
passed over. The lake pier is almost sub