The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1875-02-20
THE FLOOD.
REAR OF THE CITY UNDER
WATER.
An Unprecedented Rainfall.


being notable for the damp uncomfortable
ana moist weather experienced. The genia
sunshine and balmy breezes with which We
were favored during the visit of the knights
Templar have been followed by an almost
uninterrupted spell of bleak and rainy
weather, as if some compensation was neces
sary for our previous good fortune.
About 2 o'clock Friday morning the heavy
cumulus clouds overhead commenced to shed
their burden of water, and, almost without q
moments cessation, the driving rain has
fallen ever since. At times it seemed the
flood descended in heavy Volumes SO com.
pact were the masses of falling water; but
Notwithstanding this, the drainage facilities
appeared ample, and it was not until about 8
o'clock yesterday morning that it gained sui:
ficient to excite comment. Then it was that
the sidewalks one after another disappeared
beneath the muddy current, and by 10 the
city might be considered as an imitation
Venice. Business Was almost suspended
during the day, and the few unfortunates who
were compelled to be out, stopped along, the
pictures of despair.
Yesterday afternoon affairs began to assume
a more serious aspect, for the extern sive water
shed Of the front had been sending its waters
with great rapidity of current toward the
swamps, where the accum ulation soon spread
out, and
Above Canal Street,
up to Louisiana Avenue, back of Roman
street, was like lake.
Out Common street the car track was COM
pletely covered, and in many places the flood
had gradually stolen into the dwellings of
poor people, compelling them to move their
furniture. In the neighborhood of the Jack
son Railroad depot streets became c:nals and
back-yards gave up their garbage to the NOV
ing stream.
In the far rear near the Ridge the commons
were one vast expanse of water. Far as the
eye could reach the same scene was presented
canals bank full running like mill race,
bitches hidden by the height of inundation,
and streets feet under water. One can Judge
of the situation when it is known that this
evening the officer in charge of the Signal
Service Station here, in response to inquiries
OF BULLETIN reporter, stated that between
10 P. M. Thursday night to 4 p. NJ. yesterday
afternoon, five inches and thirty-one hun
dredths of rain fell here.
Below Canal Street.
An area of fully ten square miles below
Canal street was entirely submerged yesterday
afternoon. A representative of the BULLETIN,
DESTROYS Of ascertaining the real condition Of
the water in that portion of the city, made an
extended tour, and viewed the flood. From
Franklin street, on Canal, to the car sta
ton, the water was, at 3 P. M, in many
places nearly foot deep, and view down
the streets, running alright angles with Canal,
showed them to be entirely covered with
water.
Between the car station and the Metairie
Ridge there was in many places such depth
If water as almost to preclude the passage of
vehicles. The Car track for some distance
vas entirely submerged. The Claiborne street
canal was sadly lacking in capacity, hence
discharged SO much water over its banks as to
i'll the street entirely, and place the ban
luettes wholly out of sight.
There was current of at least six miles an
lour IN the above named canal, but even that
immense drain did not have perceptible
fleet upon the flow along Canal street |
whence the canal received its supply. Espla- |
lade street, for many squares, was flooded |
rom banquette to banquette, and the entire |
egion lying between Esplanade and Elysian
Fields streets and beyond Claiborne street to |
he Ridge, was perfect lake. The north
astern portion of the city, that beyond Elysian |
Fields street and back of Goodchildren to the |
wamp, looked as though the full food of the
Mississippi had broken in upon it.
Every yard was under water and the floors
II many small houses in that vicinity were
looded. Skiffs and water crafts OF that char
cter would have been quite in demand, but
he necessity OF them not having been foreseen,
hey were not provided, and those who desired
o go to and from their houses were forced to
orego comfort and wade, sometimes knee
leep.
The small houses standing alone on that
parsely settled section lying below Canal, be-
ween the Ridge and the city, appeared strik-
ngly forlorn in the midst of the water. and
ONE looked as though they stood in immi-
ent danger of being hoated away bodily.
The draining machines were kept steadily
unning; but, owing to the height of the
alter, they had to be worked very slowly. A
Ugh easterly wind prevailed all day, and
aused the water from the lake to food the I
xamps, hence the natural drainage of the
ty was greatly impeded The flood was not
efficiently great to cause large amount of l
lstress, but certainly there was deal of an {
oyance. II
Il is pretty safe prediction that Mr.. Wendell c
hillips will not avail himself Of Senator Cor ;
'n's invitation to go South, for himself, and
zen tell the Northern public all about it. Knowl-
lge would bring with it responsibility, and that
something which Mr.. Wendell Phillips sedu- I
usly avoids. 1t is not in his line; he does not O
loose to cucumber and cripple himself in any d
ch way. Having once asceItained the exact b
nth about the South from personal observation r
i'd experience, he would be obliged to copfine +
msef to it in his subsequent speeches and let
RS. He prefers to ego it blind" thank you T
he country gains in point of rhetoric, and no s
eat harm is done; since the number Of people +
no pay any attention to Mr.. Philhps's counsels Q
NJ wa ia limit Tod ~ n. |