Delaware gazette and state journal., 1896-02-13
SWEPT BY THE STORM
Considerable Damage Inflicted in This
Vicinity.
lNUNDATIONS IN VARIOUS PLACES
Banks of the BrandywIne and
Shellpot Broken.
HOUSES At RISING SUN SUBMERGED

Some sections of the city and adjacent |
territory suffered considerably Thursday
night from water. The Brandywine
and Shellpot creeks both spread be-
yond their natural confines and in sew
eral places banks wers broken, but no
lives were lost, and, as far as could be
learned nobody was injured, although
many persons were compelled to tenn
porarily abandon their homes.
The old dam at Wagoutown. on the
Brandywine, gave way Thursday after
noon, and this added considerably to
the already large volume of water
which was coming down the stream as
the result OF the rains. 1t was stated
ut the Wilmington & Northern railroad
Office Friday morning that the breaking
of the Wagontown dam was the only
accident Of any consequence up the
stream.
The breaking of the dam caused the
cresk banks below to be overilowed,
and great deal of wood, grass and de-
bris was caught up and carried sea
ward. In fact there was more floating
objects than had been seen on the
Brandywine in many a day and as
result it was hard task to keep race
gratings from being choked, aad in
some places they were choked and
water swept over the gates.
Dwelers along the stream suffered
considerable loss Many houses at
Rising Sun were invaded by water and
the tenants were compelled to move
out and seek refuge on higher ground.
Water also encroached on some of the
mills along the Brandywine, and more
or less damage will result. In the city
the park walks were flooded and dam
aged by washouts.
An old resident of Wilmington, who
was watching the torrent from Brandy
wine bridge at Market street Thursday,
stated that the water was higher at
that point than it had been since the
flood of 1889. In that year the water
was five feet in LEAFS mill. Tho water
Thursday entered the mill and stood
about IA inches on the floor. In the
newest mill, known as the "B' mill, the
water was one inch on the floor, a
condition which had not been known
since the building was erected.
1t was learned from residents along
the upper Brandywine Friday morning
that the water was higher up there
than it had been since 1869.
Probably the greatest trouble along
the Brandywine was at points between
Market street and the Christiana.
Many cabins and small boats we're torn
from their fastenings and carried away,
and some of the men who live in
cabins lost nearly all of their belong
ings. Several cabins and boat owners
had narrow escapes from drowning in
trying TO save their property.
The section of East Wilmington he.
L
Fourteenth street and Vandever avenue
had great deal Iof trouble Thursday
night. Nearly all of the houses in that
territory had water in the cellars and
in some of the frame houses water was
up to the second story In most in
stances the people vacated tine houses
before the flood came, but some re.
NAMED and had to be carried away in
boats. Still others would not leave
their dwellings, but removed to the up-
per stories and remained there until
they could occupy the lower parts of
the house. At one place, where col
cred family reside, all of the occupants
u the house were willing to leave when
they saw danger approaching, with the
exception of an old woman, who could
not be induced to 60 away. Force was
used, but she came out victorious and
remained alone in the house all night
Several small houses were under
mined and moved about, but no seri-
Gus loss was sustained in this direc.
tion.
Beyond the railroad there was broad
expanse OF water, and it appeared al
one time as il the Chicago Wire Works
were built on an isthmus. The dwell
lings in the vicinity Of the works suf.
fered considerable damage by water,
also.
Probably the greatest damage was
aone at the Pickels foundry, where
water flooded a great portion of the
plant This water came in from the
Brandywine.
The bridge at Fifteenth and Clay.
mont streets was badly wrecked Tho
passage under the street was chokeC
up and a portion of the bridge was
picked up bodily and laid across the
railway tracks.
No. II School, which is at Fifteenth
and Claymont streets, was also invaded
with about five feet 81 water in the
cellar.
The banks of the Brandywine near the
Pullman works broke IL four places.
but men were kept on the watch and thu
breaks were repaired as soon as they oc
Cured.
There were several other breaks alonl
the creek banks, and the wharves wer,
nearly all flooded, but the loss 10 whar
owners as not Of very great Gonse
quence.
Al the works Of the jackson & Sharr
Go, some trouble was experienced. I'll,
water entered some Of the mills, hu
tho loss will not he serious.
south Wilmington had goodly shar
Of the trouble, too. Many houses wer
visited by water from the ditches
which could nor be seen at times. an,
IN several instances the dweilers nloyei
out, but tho loss to househUhlers will
not be great The railroad tracks o,
inc South Side were Inundated for
time, and traffic was stopped.
Many Tkaryes along the Christian
were under water and loose article
were carried away, but no sorion
damage was done at any Of the wh.ryaa
Several sewers about the city sutFnre.
from the immense volumes of ;vainr
and several inlets we're rhuked no 81
hal'y that Geienhuring property ,ya
damaged Wet collars preyailad nj
over the city
Ferdinand c. u. Mckay. the loca
observer for the United States Weaihe
Bureau, was seen by reporter and gay
the following statement concerning III
rain which fell during the sforr,
From 10. 10 o'c.ock Wednesday ninGt
when the rain started. until midDight
" 100 Of an inch fell; from midnirh
unit! 1890 c'clock Thursday norninp
g:C6 inches, and from 3. Ii o'cjoe
Thursday afternoon until & O'Clock 4
nigh, 30-l00 Of an inch, making tb
total fall 8 s. inrhn. NJ