The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1880-09-01

AFlood. Breaks Into sn irish Cnspel
and browns Five . sne "ors"ip-
peFs. ~ v. A..
'Da'''h 0'''s'snsi l9tb.l
Details have reached Dublin OF The terri,
HE catasfrorhe In Il Roman Catholic chapel
At {; wecdore. County Donegal. The church
Ne situated n, a deep ravfue between TWO
granite. Gifts. which rise a. perpendlcularly
from the base 10 the top as the side walls
OF The chapel, and ere almost as high
~ The latter. The sacristry side faces
the sea ia the west. Between the
side walls and this elf an opening OF
about six feet had been cut out OF the rock
TO give walking space round the outsid de
Of the chanel 10 the southeast side. The glen
onens mn towards the bills, but Is not so
deem At any place as where the chapel Is
bujit. I'm The middle OF this glen stream
flows. though no great body OF water fills
mn lis bed. EXCEPT in the winter time, when
II IA fed BY mountain torrents. This brook
flows down under the south aisle OF the
chanel. provision being made for II passage
by an archway under the walls and
floor OF the chapel. Ii divides the chapel
ward into two sections to the bridge
below on the county road, where It
disgorges under three arches. The
upper parapet wall OF this bridge
forms part OF the Enclosure OF st. Mary's
chanel. When the tides are high the
water OF the sea passes through this bridge
and through the arch under the chapel Tor
some distance. The peculiar site OF the
chapel is attributed to the difficulty In get
ting land for the purpose. From III O'Clock
on Sunday morning rain fell In torrents, ac-
companed by terrific thunder and light
ming. The stream came down from the
mountain-fdcs into the basin OF the rivu-
let. covered the crops with debris, washed
away bridge north OF and near the Gwee-
dore Hotel, and carried granite powders,
over ton weight, for fully mile down its
bed. On reaching the high walls surround
ing the chapel yard the mpetuous torrent
bore down all before il, and entered the
chapel by the west gable door. The scared
looks OF the people, as il at some unusual
thing passing along the floor towards the
altar, first attracted the attention OF the Rev.
James Macfadden, parish priest, who was IN
the act OF administering communion. The
priest and people preserved order; but the
unceasiug roar OF the torrent outside in
duced the pastor to ascend few steps OF
the altar, when, on looking down the aisle,
he saw the water, which had burst open the
massive door, rushing wards. He deposited
the chalice containing the sacrament In the
tabernacle and locked the door. Then, turn
in to the people, who were up to their waists
I'm water, he directed and beckOned them
TO make their way out or escape as best they
could, divesting himself OF his yestments.
The water had now reached to his knees,
and seeing no other means OF safety he as
cended the top Of the altar, and made way
from thence to the reredOs behind IL, and
by the aid OF board crossed over the vestry
TO the chancel window, which he assembled
TO a safe height by breaking the panes, in
flicting q severe cut on his hand. BY this
time the water had closed the eastern door
and then burst it and the door-case out
wards, carving with il several persons, in
Guiding Sub.COnstable Martin, who at the
risk OF his life after several attempts, sue
ceeded, with the aid OF civilian, in
saving a woman being borne out
along with him. The water then carried
away the remaining boundary wall and
bridge sixty yards lower down. Meantime,
with the water eight feet deep, terrible
scene was occurring inside the chapel. The
seats, bound together at the bottom, became
floating RATS OF which all who could availed
themselves to save their lives. A large
block OF 6r-wood carried in by the water
kept afloat all who could sit on and cling to
it. Others were saved by getting hold OF
a suspended lamp-chain and by graspng
the window-cords and breaking the glass.
A man named Gallagher, with ropes
and garments, pulled others up to the
gallery. Sub-ConStabie Mahoney and others
placed ladders from the rocks outside
TO the windows, and by this means many
escaned The interior OF the chanel was
almost destroyed, and outside everything
was carried away except the solid rock.
There were about four hundred people in
the chapel. Five dead bodied have been
recovered, and no more are missing. James
Ferry, aged sixteen, was found dead at the
vestry door, which had closed on his arm,
preventing his egress. The others who lost
their lives are Neil DOherty, Cornell Boyle,
aged seventy; Grace McGaryan, aged forty
five tal married.; and Henry Gallaher,
aged sixteen.