The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1879-03-15
The Hungarian Town Ofssegedin Destroyed
BY Flood.

| LSNDON, March, l2.-lhe last embanhlncht
of the river Thesis, Szegedin, Hungary, burst
early this morning, causing immense destruc'
ton. For well nigh week Szegedini the
second commercial town in Hungary, has
been in imminent danger of inundation
/ from the river Thesis, which flows through
| the town. Several large dykes protecting the
back OF the town have been burst, and the
safely OF the town last night depended ON the
embankment of the Alfold Railway TO
strengthen which all efforts were concentrated,
/ but in vain.
After fearful night of anxiety all efforts
proved useless. The water broke through
with immense force at 9 O'Clock, carrying
away part Of the railway station embankment
and rolling stock. Within three hours the
town was many feet deep in water. Terrible
suffering commenced. Shrieks and cries from
thousands were heard. Houses are crashing
by the score, and in many cases carrying
their inmates with them. One boat was Just
going to save large house full Of people,
when fearful crash carried with il the whole
living freight. The scene was simply heart
rending. Over 5000 people are out Of house
and home. Hundreds are drowning and the
water is still rising rapidly.
An official telegram, dated Pesth, $50 Z.
NJ, just received, confirms the report of the
terrible aspect Of the town and the destruction
OF hundreds of houses. 1t states that the re.
moyal OF the inhabitants is proceeding with.
out disorder. SO far only four corpses have
been found The dams are being cut in sew,
earl places To allow the water TO run or No
excuses are reported, but precautions have
been taken for the protection of property.
The Times correspondent at Peslh, describ.
ing the calamity at Szegedin, says there was
at frst false alarm at . o clock on Tuesday
evening, raised by some workmen on the EN-.
bankment, who wished TO desert. Toward
midnight the workmen, in consequence of the
increase OF the gale, were continually over.
taken by the waves They were only kept to
their posts by Gordon OF soldiers. The
water repeatedly pierced the embankment al
single points, About 80 o'clock Wednes.
day morning the embankment was found to
be yielding at several points simultaneously.
The general in command then ordered the
abandonment OF the works.
The latest report this evening from spe.
cal government commissioner at Szegedn
says besides the four corpses which have been
Drought IN, thirty more are reported from
other quarters. Several fires have occurred,
and there are strong suspicious OF ncendiary.
ISM. The water is still rising, but communi-
cation towards Temeswar is still open. The
Eruption of the waters came a, last so sud.
denly that the workmen barely had time to
reach the town. An ample provision Of boats
had been made throughout the town; but il
Is feared that such an inundation, happening
IN the depth of night, cannot but have drown
ed many persons. Telegraphie communica
uon with SEegedin seems to have been inter
rupted during greater part of Wednesday
until evening.
The Daily Ne,rshas the following despatch
from ITS special correspondent, dated I Z.
hi'i since L. NJ, the water has risen ia
the town hive feet. Our situation is becom.
ing worse and worse. Sixty thousand persons
are at present without roof over them. Ii
Is feared the loss Of life has been very great,
and that It will increase during this terrible
night.
ote:-Ihs foregoing despatch, coming di.
rectiy from the spot, is probably more trust.
worthy than the official account previously
received from Pssth. The violent attacks in
the Hungarian Diet probably caused the gov.
eminent TO make its report Of the disaster as
favorable as possible.
Accounts ofthe disaster received from Wen.
an say the upper floors of all high houses are
erammed with people in momentary fear of
death IL Is thought some few houses which
are built OF stone may stand.
i, ."tNy' nc latest teiegramB announce
mat the flood, with terrific roar, is rushing
from two sides over Szegedin. The horrors
OF the situation battle all description. The
town is, in fact, destroyed. Two.thirds OF it
are now submerged, including the citadel aud
The post and telegraph offices. Whole rows
OF houses are falling The orphanage and
synagogue are destroyed. All the inmates Of
The former were buried in the ruins. Two
manufactures are on fire. The inhabitants
are flying to New Szegedin and the more Gle.
waited parts of the town. The municipality
OF Pesth Is making every effort to send assis.
lance to Szegedin. Two relief trains have
already started. Accommodations for tho fu.
siuves have been provided in the barracks
and public buildings of Pcsth.
The Standards despatch from Pesth saws
i,o0square miles in the neighborhood of Siege.
din are flooded. The crops on this distric,
are lost. The government has sent 10000
HORNS for the relief Of the inhabitants. The
Radicals in the Diet to-day violently attacked
me government for neglecting to take precau.
lions to prevent the calamity.