Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1886-07-06
PETERSBURG.
THE GREAT FLOOD IN THE APPoxAT-
Tox RIVER.
u,ghest Known In Thirty Years-streets
and Warehouses submerged
Damage to Property.
.,,o,,,.nondepce Of the Richmond Dispatch
PETERsBURo, JuIy 5, I68b.

fC,orreepondence OF Inc hicnmoha pispaeoh''
PETERSBURG, July 5, 1886.
The food in the Appomattox river Is
the highest known since 1854. The
water is nearly two feet higher than in
the big freshet Of last year. The
wharyes on both sides Of the river are
many feet under water. The coal and
lumber-yards on either side are sub
merged, and the warehouses on the
south side are apparently many yards
from shore, and only approachaole ID
boats. River street from the Norfolk
and Western depot eastward is covered
by water to depth of three or four
feet.-backed up through the cuiverts,
Since the great food Of 1854 the ground
between River street aud the river has
been raised some feet, and on this the
railroad tracks and depots are placed,
and these are, fortunately, beyond the
reach of the freshet. q,
The Norfolk and Western Railroad
Company took the precaution when the
water began to rise to bring all their
engines from the shops across the river
to the yard on this side, and, as on
previous occasions, to laden their
bridges with heavily-loaded cars. The
water has been rising steadily since
Yesterday, and to-day has nearly
reached the stills of the Norfolk and
Western trestle bridge. West Of the
Norfolk and Western depot, for dis
lance of several hundred yards along
the bank of the river, the railroad en-
bankment has been badly washed and
one of the tracks undermined. The
main track, however, is intact, and
there is no interruption to travel or traf-
fic. The back-yards and gardens OF
many premises on Old street are sub
merged to a depth of six to eight feet.
The Richmond and Petersburg trestle-
bridge is intact, and is well guarded
against damage by floating timbers and
debris. The track is yet some feet
above the water.
The rice in the river is nearly or
quite twelve feet above ordinary water
mark, and is still rising this afternoon,
and a greater rise is anticipated. A
tremendous rain is reported to have
fallen Yesterday afternoon west of the
city from Ford's depot as far as Farm
vile, amounting in some localities
almost to the volume OF waterspout.
This water is yet to come down. The
rain was so severe that it is said the
trains on the road were stopped for some
time as a measure Of safety.
The water entered the warehouse OIL
Messrs. George V. Scott 4 Son, on the
wharf, and damaged several hundreds
of barrels of lime. The lime was fired
and had to be rolled out into the river
to save the building. Messrs. Marks &
Friends, in the same vicinity, also lost
considerably in lime and lumber. Tht
track Of the Petersburg railroad run
ming down River street to the lower
wharves is so far under water as to b.
incapable of use. The raging flood ha
been witnessed by thousands of peopl
to-day. -.
Besides Brander's bridge, over Swift
creek, in Chesterfield county, which
was washed away on Saturday, tw
other bridges of equal Importance wer
damaged by the freshet in that stream
Bradley's bridge, several miles west q
Brander's, was moved some eighteen o
twenty inches out of line, but is stiI
passable. The Turnpike bridge to tn
east was also moved several inches.
The contract for the erection of th
new railroad depot building in this cit
will be awarded by the Norfolk an
Western Company next Saturday. Tn
structure will be OF brick, of handsom
architecture, and commodious in sizt
1t will be used by the several railroad
centeriDg here.
The youngest daughter of Rev. Z.
Dargan, pastor Of the First Bapti:
church in this city, died last night q
Chester, where she had been taken fc
the benefit of her health. The remain
were brought here this afternoon.
MIR. William Tench, one of our mo-
respected citizens and one Of the olde;
Masons in the State, is very i'll at hi
residence, on Bank street. His cond
ton is regarded as critical. Mr.. Tenc
was many years ago the leading auc
tioneer in Petersburg.
Miss Carrie Davis, charming youn
lady, daughter of Professor W. I. Dt
Wis, is reported as critically i'll.
To-day has been the quietest Fourt
of July known here for many years.
ROBIN ADAIR.