The Morning herald., 1876-03-31
1--WE rmREATENIHe DIsAerKR.

TINE THREATEMIHG DlsAsrER.
A.sther view Hngla1.a rrsshst lior-
ror lmpendihS.
BY American Press Association
WoRCEsTER, March S0-11 80 A. M
The later advices from the broken dam are
of more assuring character. Large tree
trunks, bales of hay and loads Of dirt are
being thrown into the gap and the rush OF
the water is being at last lessened. Fears
of any sudden giving away of the structure
are being gradually allayed. It is, however,
likely that all the water in the reservoir will
be drained off. Channels to connect the res
ervoir with stream to the westward are
being dug with haste, aud some part of the
flood will thus be diverted into new direc-
''cTi The water in thsiSew reservoir is rapidly
lowering, and though the gap. in the dam is
gradually widening, 1t is now thought that
the main structure will stand firm until the
water flows away. There is less OF panic
along the expected path of the flood, but ef-
forts to lessen or avert the danger are still
in progress throughout the entire Kettle
brook and Blackstone region. There Is an i'm
mense crowd at the scene of trouble, which is
growing constantly, and large police force
is on duty keeping order in the crowd and
protecting the goods on the side hills re-
moved from the houses and manufactures
along the valley. The city is still greatly
excited, but better feeling is now begin
ming to prevail.
lI:35 A. M.-The water has stopped run
ming through the small window Of the lower
gate-house. This is a great gain since 8
O'Clock.
11:45 A. M.-The water is again running
through the small window of the lower gate
house. The hole at the other side is larger
than it was one hour ago.
A Serious Break.
BY American Press Association.
WORCESTER, Mess, March 30.-The
greatest danger threatens this place by a
break in the dam of the reservoir, which is
situated five miles from the centre of the
city. The descent between 1t and the city
is about one hundred feet for the first mile,
and if the dam itself should give away, the
damage to the city would be incalculable.
The reservoir covers 140 acres of ground
and holds $40, 900, 900 gallons of water.
An 1mpenOlnS D0nkor
[By Auerican Press Associatisn.]
CHERRY VALLEY, Mass, March 30.-A
large gang is working making new open
ing for the water in the reservoir to escape.
Serious apprehensions are entertained that
when the opening il made that the water
will quickly dissolve the bank and sweep
on with terrible force, carrying everything
before it through South Worcester and in
Blackstone Valley.
The Dam Bursts.
At five O'Clock it was announced in the
Valley that the workmen and spectators
had left their positions and fled, and all
were warned of the impending danger. A
few moments only were waited in almost
breathless anxiety when a spectacle of
thrilling grandeur was before the horror
stricken beholders. Down the mountain
side the black water came rolling and
laundering, with ever increasing volume
and deafening noise. The first buildings
to fall were George W. Olney's fine house
and barn. the latter being carried bodily
away, and the house twisted and torn out
of shape. James A. Smiths wooden mill,
with four sets of machinery was next at
tackled by the Unsuitable torrent, and this
too fell victim. Three fourths of the en-
tire mill with its contents were washed
| away.
Immediately below this A. e. Smiths
Oneset satinet mill, wooden structure,
was taken bodily away and soon broken
into fragments. Ashworth & Jones large
woolen mill, being one of the best in this
| vicinity, then received the shock, but es-
capped with comparatively small injury, the
boiler room, in the rear end of the building,
only being carried away. Darling's mill
escaped. Hunts wooden mill received
slight injuries IN the rear portion; this in
cludes all the mill losses in Cherry Valley.
Eight or ten dwelling houses were tloated
away and dashed to pieces on the rocks.
No loss OF life is reported as the previous
warming had caused every precautionary
measure to be taken.
The scene of angry, roaring pillows,
great buildings dropping to the earth,
while others were floating away, the shores
lined with sorrowful spectators, furniture
and household goods piled up on the high
banks, all combined to leave an indeliable
impression on the mind of every person
who witnessed it, Below the Valley one
hundred feet Of the Boston and ALBANY
Railroad has been carried away. on tht
Norwich Railroad the track is flooded a
Auburn and is impossible. At New Wor
cester the water is high, but no serou
damage has occurred up to 10 o'clock P. M
| ->~S
A Fiendish Act.
BY the American Press Association.