The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1893-03-10
WITH RAIN AND WIND.
Yesterdays Storm i Bad One, But
FreShet Is Not Feared.
THE RIVERS ARE RUNNING WILD.
The Drought OF Last summer Probably
Saved the State From Being Flooded
Great Anxiety Felt by Mill Owners
ard Others.

Although the smallest state in the
Union Little Rhody" has her full share
of variegated weather. Up to this week,
however, the elements have been in an
unusually settled condition. Cold winds
reigned supreme. and the state was COW
cred with ice and snow for several inches.
But yesterday morning came changes.
Without warning the flood gates OF
heaven were set wide open and the land
was b athed in continually increasing
deluge.
How it did rain
1t seemed as though no power on earth
could ever shut oft the tremendous down
pour. 1t fell in gusts. in showers, In q
steady downfall, and in sheets and with
steady roar that was fascinating.
For twenty-four hours the clouds
poured forth their overweight OF mois-
ture and as matter OF course the effect
of this tremendous fall OF water was
soon apparent. The sewers and cutters
in this city in many instances blocked by
ice. were in no condition TO carry Oft the
water and the middle of the streets
were transformed into miniature rivers
flowing streams OF water ranging In
depth from several inches TO foot or
more. The region around the Gaspee
pond last night and the street itself at
the junction with Francis street was
covered with foot Of water. which was
constantly rising.
A Miniature Niagara.
Down Francis street came perfect
deluge as the streets and throughfares on
that portion of Smiths Hill poured their
streams into the common river, and FROM
the sidehill little ruas fed the pond at
the foot.
The Moshassuck canal rose several
inches yesterday afternoon, and early thls
morning was almost level with its banks.
The utter absence of ice and debris in
the canal Is considered as very good
sign by the millmen, and would indicate
that the fears of freshet are Rroundless.
Early yesterday afternoon the wise
acres shook their heads ana predicted a
repetition of the food OF SO, but so far
there has been no cause for disturb
ance. What snow there was on the
ground in the country soaked the water
up, but owing to the severity OF the win.
ter the ground has become frozen and
coated with layer Ot ice, and as last as
the water fell and became absorbed, II
flowed oil without penetrating the
ground, and found an outlet in the small
streams and brooks throughout the sta e:
The various mills along the banks OF
the Moshassuck were obliged 10 run
their engines throughout the night TO
pump the water from the cellars, aud on
the houses along the banks there are
several inches Of water floating about in
the Easements.
Uneasiness Was Felt.
Considerable uueasiness is felt by the
mill owners and residents along the
banks Of the Pawtuxet river. The river
has risen several inches but the extern
sive drought OF last summer had so
drained the reservoirs at the head waters
that the danger of overfiowiug Is not
very great. Above Washington the res
ervoirs were In the best condition TO take
up the water, aud as the inpum-
erable streams began 10 How
the waters rose visibly. At the Quid-
nick reservoir the water poured In rap
idly aud at the Westeonnaug and Bar
den reservoirs IL rose so fast that the
people in the immediate vicinity becam
seriously alarmed
How ever. slight as the danger may be
OF n freshet the mill owners took no
chances and guari OF men was stat
toned along the banks OF the Pawtuxet
TO watch and report DEVELOPMENTS. Early
this morning they bad seen nothing
alarming. and rs the big freshet oi 's5