New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-04-06
= orr,o,AI JovRNAlI o. rnE srArs Or LOUISIANA.
Il NEW ORLEANS THURSDAY APRIL g. 1871
Crevasee ae The 2t Sophie Plantatloo.
Tho Empire Pasish Of the first instant

Crevasse ae the 6t. Sophie Plantatloos
Tho Empire Parish Of the first instant
says:
In our last issue we made mention Of the
crevasse in the levee Just above here, on the
left bank of the river, fronting the unOccu-
pied land owned by Mr.. S0ulie, and at that
time stated that if nothing was done to close
it, large portion Of the parish would be in
undated. We had hoped that the parish
authorities. whose duty it is to attend to the
condition of the levees, w0ald do solhething
nounCe that nothing has been done, and,
moreover, there is mot even the shadow Of .
probability that tanything viii be dons.
During the past three or four days the
break in the levoe referred to has been
steadily widening, and is now nearly mile
in extent. The watcr is rushing through
with the rapidity of Q torrent and the roar
of cataract. The depth Of water where
it rushes through the levee is from two to
four feet. This width and depth of current
sweeps with such force that the heaviest
drift wood is carried by it far into tho fields
as if mere reeds. The very foundation of
the broken levee, which was compact from
age, has been undermined, and is washed
away, and the ground upon which it stood is
torn into gullies and ruts, a. il readily
ascertained by those who have the hardi-
hood to venture ON horseback along the
highway at that point. Such volume of
water as is now escaping Ut this crevasee,
with the rlver steadily rising, will certainly
continue to widen the break, mot only Of.
pents or acres, but miles in extent. The
river is already above its natural banks,
and il only confined to its channel BY the
artificial ones and the headlOng swiftness of
its current. Permit it to have an outlet,
and. it will soon cover these fertile lands
with deluge Of water, destroying all pros
poets for this year, and causing the loss Of
all the expenditure in the preparations
which have been 60 far made for Guilt
walton.
The greater portion of three or four plan
tations in this immediate vicinity are
already under water, which has flowed
through ut this crevasse, and the sub
merton is steadily and rapidly spreading.
The people Immediately affected by this
overflow are powerless to remedy the dis
aster. They have several times endeavored
to close the breaks, but in the absence Of .
sufficient force and the necessary combine
entirely destitute of lumber and other ma
terial, they are unable to stem the torrent
now rushing in upon their lands.
Is there NO help for this peril0us state of
thingsl If they cannot expect assistance
from the police jury of the parish, may they
not look with hope to the State Board of
Engineers7 The people Of this parish pay
taxes for the purpose Of keeping the levees
in repair, and now that they need assistance
in staying the flood Of waters which is rush-
ing in upon them, We venture to express
the hope that their appeal will not be in
vain. Prompt and energetic action in this
matter is necessary to prevent an entire
cessation of field work, and loss Of this
years crop to many who are not able to sus-
tain such loss.