The New York herald., 1871-02-19
THE MEETING OF The WATERS.

The High Tide and the Rain Storm-The River
Fronts-EGect of the Tide and Storm Along
West and South Sfreets-Accident at the
staten Island Ferry-Thc Easements Along
the River Inundated With Water.
The high tide and the rain storm caused consider
able inconvenience yesterday to many OF the mer-
chants and dealers along West street. The tide,
though very high, was not up to the mark reached
during the equinoctia storm OF September last yet
many OF the Easements along the street. up as far as
Canal street. were flooded by that suspen-
sion Of business became necessary, while the rain
pouring down in torrents from about half
past ten A. NJ. till near two O'Clock in the afternoon
deluged the streets. Various causes combine to
food the Easements and cellars in West street. but
the principal Is that all this part OF the street
is built on "made ground" and when the tide sets
in high the water oozes up and the sewers emptyng
into the river become filed And this is especially
so in those cellars where the flooring is neglected.
while In those where the flooring is properly
attended to Inconvenience whatever, either from
high tides or rain storms, is experienced.
ALONG THE NORTH RIVER FRONT,
except In few easements near Fulton street. no
trouble was caused to business houses beyond the
stoppage OF work in the streets in consequence Of
the rain In those streets, such as Water, Washing
ton or Greenwich streets, where the Easements are
in many instances IN filthy condition. and are ten
anted by those OF the lowest class, the heavy fall or
rain caused much damage ana trouble, owing to
there being no efforts made TO guard against II.
During the forenoon, while the wind blew almost
hurricane, all efforts made by sailors and
ship hands were unavailing to continue at work.
The ferryboats during the same hours mad
rough time making their trips and were tossed
about here and there on the river causing much I'M
easlness to passengers especially during the time
the fog lasted In the afternoon Pedestrians along
the streets and in those ever-crowded parts of the
city, such as washington and Fulton Markets. and
the crossings at the principal thoroughfares were
obbllged TO wade through the slush ankledeep.
The little crosslngsweepers piled their trade lively.
with the usual unheeded appeal lor the penny, but
were
UNABLE TO COMBAT THE sLusH
Wagons dragged along laboriously through the
pools OF water IN the streets, and there was more
than Ordinary confusion in the down town streets
from the enlargement OF all sorts OF vehicles. Only
from the high tide, and that was at the Staten
Island ferry, foot Of Whitehall street, where the
Middletown was coming into the slip frem her seven
O'Clock A. NJ trip she steered right into the bridge,
breaking II in distance or about four iee and thus
causing the fall Of the framework which sup
ported it. The casuse Of the accident
is said to be owing to the stopping Of the engine
the centre, the engineer being therefore unable to
stop the engine. Fortunately there was only one
be, p newsman named Martin Keep, had his leg
crushed badly Had the accident occurred few
hours later there must have been many lives lost
In the afternoon, after the rain mad ceased the
shono out pleasantly, and at four O'Clock the eject
was percepuble along the wharves and even The
Easements that had been over10wn. The streets
also were much more enduraple for pedestrians