Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-04-04
THE DAMAGE.
PETERSBIRG AND VICINITY.
The Work of the FiOod-HO"ses Sub
merged and Property Damaged
Railroad and County Bridges
Washed Away


correspondence OF the Richmond Dispatch
PETERSBURG, April 3, 1886.
The flood in the Appomattox river is
more serious than had been antlci-
pated, and considerable damage has
been done. The water continued to
rise all last night and this morn
ing. submerging the coal-yards on
both sides of the river, and
flooding the lower floors of the
warehouses adjacent to the wharves.
Goods were removed as far as practicable
to prevent injury by water, but in some
of .them-the several guano warehouses
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS there are stored
some 10000 bags of fertilizers, this
could not be done, and some Of this
stock will be ruined. Messrs. Camp
bell & Co.'s snuf-factory is also
threatened with serious injury. The
Petersburg Ice Company and the Jack
son Ice and Coal Company, whose pro-
peIty is on the Chesterfield side, are
sufferers to a considerable extent al
ready, the water having reached and
flooded their premises.
The water covers all the wharveS TO
the depth of some feet, and the vessels
moored thereto look as though they
were in the middle of the river. The
water has backed up through the Gull
verts and partially flooded River street
beyond the railroad dep0ts. On the
Chesterfield side the water covers the
Richmond turnpike road to depth Of
five or six feet, rendering travel to and
from the city in that direction impossi'
bic. Gilliam's meadow is vast lake
Of muddy water. Baxter's and Boil
lings's meadows, between the city and
Blandford, are covered to the depth OF
many feet.
The two bridges connecting this city
with Chesterfield county are beyond the
reach of injury. They span the river
from side to side and rest on high and
solid rock abutments.
The Norfolk and Western Railroad
Company, as a precaution against acci-
dent, moved all their engines and roll
ipg.stock from their shops on the
north side of the river to the south
side. Their bridges are weighted
down with heavily-loaded cars. Along
I'D the road west Of the depot
the water is within two feet oil
the level of the track, but it is not be-
lieved that il will reach that high. The
mills on the river banks have been CON-
PEELED to stop work because Of the high
water. All Of the many islands in the
river are under water, only the trees
on them being visible. Great numbers
of people visited the river yesterday
and to. day to view the roaring torrent.
The view from Campbell's bridge is one
Of particular interest, and the roar OF
the waters as they rush down the falls
is almost deafening.
DAMAGE BY THE FLOOD IN THE
COUNTRY.
Along the Nottowsy and Meherriu
rivers the damage is said to have been
great, all OF which will not be known
for some days. In Greensviile county
Mr.. John Coles dam broke and washed
away his Clubhouse. The building was
carried down until it struck the county
bridge over the river, knocking it out Of
line and almost carrying it away. The
house had to be knocked to pieces to
save the bridge.
The county bridge over the Nottoway
river between Sussex and Greensvills,
known as the Smith and Poarch bridge,
was swept away yesterday.
The water swept over Green's.
Church bridge, over the Nottowsy, and
reached the railroad iron bridge, but
both stood the pressure.
II ID reported that the Atlantic and
Danyills railroad suffered the loss Of
two or three bridges along its line
which will cause material interruption
to IL operations Of the road.