New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1900-02-14
FLOODS IN NEW-ENGLAND.
RIVERS OVERFLOW THEIR BANKS
HEAVY DAMAGE TO FACTORIES
AND RAILROADS-LIvES LOST.

Boston. Feb 13-The gales OF the equinox
scarcely have exceeded in force the storm which
swept over England to-day, leaving in its
wake damage by food that is almost incal-
culabe.
For twenty-four hours a heavy rain. after
wiping away what few traces there were of
snow and ice. brought to a climax the most
unreasonable winter New-England has known
for a great many years. Tributary bodies Of
water which few weeks ago were so low that
the almost unheard of condition of drouth in
midwinter was threatened have been changed
into torrents of more threatening volume than
in the usual spring freshets. To the damage
done to the manufacturing. logging and ice har-
vesting interests is also added the cost OF re-
placing bridges swept away and Of repairing
railway and highway beds torn up.
More serious still. there has been loss of life
at several points
In this section to-day the rainfall exceeded
one and one-third inches. and as the unfrozen
ground was sodden from moisture precipitated
during long spell of mild weather most of the
rain ran off into the natural drainage channels
In the northern section. where there was snow
on the ground. the rain was absorbed TO some
extent and will scarcely be noticed, as colder
weather Will serve as check. With the end OF
winter approaching. New England has not yet
seen an old fashioned snowstorm. which empha-
sizes the out or place nature OF To-Day SIOIi4
A FIERCE WIND BLEW.
The most extensive damage reported Is along
the Merrmac and Connecticut rivers. The blow
was fierce along the coast. but shipping, usually
less in volume at this season, had ample warn
ing of the storm.
At Manchester, N. H.. Palmer H. Jackson. a
mill hand attempted to jump over a rivulet,
but fell into the water and was washed away
and drowned.
Sona Martin. twelve years old. drowned
in the Nashua River, at South Fitchburg. dur
ing her attempt to leave her home. which rising
water had surrounded. The current
swift that she carried off her feet
Washouts stopped traffic the Boston and
Maine main line with Nashua, and on the Man
chester and North Weare branch.
VERMONT AND MAINE SUFFER.
Dispatches from various sections in Vermont
and in Maine place the rainfall at over three
inches The Connecticut River at Bellows Falls
nearly five feet during the day. and,
most of the smaller streams running wild,
further rise of six to eight feet Is looked for by
noon tomorrow.
In the Champlain Valley rain has lasted nearly
five days, that the after effects are expected
to be more serious than now appears At North
Adams. Mass. the Hoosic River runs stronger
and higher tonight than at any time for thirty
years, several mills having their lower floors
flooded. with damage exceeding $4,000.
Inc great pressure OF water at the temporary
dam Of the Metropolitan Water Board. at Clin-
ton, which reservoir in the Nashua River sup
plies the Boston district. is so great that the
wOrkmen are preparing for emergencies.
Along the Kennebec River, in Maine the ice
is weak that il is likely to break up. and
with the ice go all prospects for a harvest this
season.
From all points tonight come reports Of heavy
damage to mill property and the destruction of
small bridges by ice jams. The suburban cleo
trio cars running ezra ticslly, owing to slides
of earth under the rails.
1t is pretty generally agreed that no February
storm of its nature for more than generation
night is giving way to cooler, clearer weather