The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-11-27
RnI1l,m,ld nispatrft.
TUESDAY. NOVEMBER %, 1877.
The Great Flood.

we devote a large part OF our paper *
fun accounts of the great food OF TT, which
reached its eliminating point at IL O'Clock
Sunday night. Its but Just to the gentle
men reporting for the Dispatch to say thai
the account and description Of the hooo
which appeared in the Dispatch extra yes
terday morning was faithful report OF the
greatest flood In James river OF when there
Is auv account 1t may be said to be thc
most excellent history OF any OF the noooS
tina. ever occurred in our river, so FAMOUS
for It's floods.
A far sc il is in our power the Dispatch
OF this morning gives report OF the enectS
of this great fresh, The damage, not only
nv tho rise in James river but in other
rivers. is but vaguely estimated; but our
impression at this time is that the aggregate
injury is less than was unprecedented. Sew
ersl valuable railroad bridges have been
washed away, but it will not take a long
time to repair or replace them. In the mean
time the companies will have temporary
means for the transportation OF passengers
across the streams.
injury done to the JameS-River canal. The
news relating 10 that work does not travel
very rapidly, rs there are no telegraph-lines
along the river. AS fast rs information is
received 1t will be given to the readers OF
the Dispatch. 1t is unfortunate indeed for
Major JOHNSTON that the beginning OF his
career as president should be embarrassed
by so serious u calamity as this food.
We trust that its rayageS may not be
very great. We suppose that there can
hardly be any heavy loss upon the embank-
1nent OF the Clifton-Forge and Buchanan
railroad. The work so long done upon the
canal has been utilized in building this em-
hankmcnt, and certainly that part Of the
work has been standing so long that we
may suppose that it is not seriously
damaged. The new part OF the work
would probably be located farther above
done for the canal.
But day or two will tell the story. At
present many look for very distressing ac-
counts, while our own expectations are less
respondent.
The crops upon the larger streams ought
20 have been removed beyond the reach OF
the waters; but we know that neglect has
done its share to occasion loss. We con-
lecture that in smaller valleys along smaller
water-courseS the loss has been possibly
greater. because there the apprehension Of
danger is generally not lively. Surprises
rains are on such streams more sud-
den and complete. We hope. how
ever. that since our Virginia people
have succeeded in bringing their sys-
tens of labor and tilage to 4 better
condition now than they were III in 30,
they were so much better guarded and so
much better able to protect their interests
when the present food came upon them
that the loss now will be less than it was in
30. Then, the present flood comes later In
the autumn than did the former; and, al
though it's higher, We have reason to feel
that the loss is not so great as it was in 20.
There must be Inconvenience and delay
for some time, but it is astonishing how
quick enterprising men can mend the pub
lie ways and triumph over disasters which,
when they happen, seem to visit upon us
injuries that many months will not be, able
to repair, We leok, forward to the early
restoration. of all the ways OF coming and
going to the even tenor oil progression. -