The San Francisco call., 1904-03-03
FLOOD CAUSES BIG LOSS.
Many Thousand Acres of Land Are
Under Water Near Stockton.

Under Water Near Stockton.
STOCKTON, March MANY thou
sand acres of the richest land in this
county, about fifteenth of it's total
area, was under water at nightfall this
evening. One million dollars is a con-
servative estimate of the loss that falls
on owners and renters of reclaimed
lands. Unsatisfied and unchecked by
the vast area swallowed up yesterday,
the great flood that has come down
the Sacramento River and rolled into
San Joaquin County made further en-
croachments and tonight it was fear
ed by the more timid that the surging
waters may leap the Calaveras, four
miles north of this city. and overflow
Stockton before twenty-four hours
have passed. This afternoon came the
report that the great Terminus tract
had been added to the inland lake, and
later a message was received from
Antioch stating that Sherman Island
of $4,000 acres was flooding from large
breaks in the levee and that the water
at high tide at Antioch to-day was
nearly a foot higher than it was yes
terday. Sherman Island is not in this
county. but its levees made barriers
that are hourly growing fewer be-
tween the delta of the Sacramento,
Nokelumne and Calaveras.
NJ. D. Eaton of Eaton & Buckley.
who are extensively interested in the
Terminus tract, went out there this
morning. Shortly before 3 o'clock this
afternoon he telephoned to Buckley
that the levee had given way and that
the flood was rushing in on the tract.
He demanded that steamer be sent
at once and added that he feared all
of the residents of the tract might not
escape.
The message also stated that the
flood was headed south toward Stock
ton and would probably take every
thing in its way as far as the Gala
Veras River. This afternoon the steam
barge Wright came up the channel
with 1900 sheep rescued from the
levee of Staten Island. The Wright's
captain stated that water was seep-
ing fast into Bouldin Island and that
there was no hope. At 4 o'clock this
afternoon the crest of the flood and
the tide surged against the Bouldin
Island levees. Hundreds of men were
stationed at the threatened points to
give battle to the enemy. Prepara-
tions had been made to remove such
property as could be transported in
case of a flood. Three distinct breaks
have occurred since and small army
of men was rushed 10 the points where
the water had started over. By the
use of sand bags and shovels the men
held the water in check until stronger
half hour it looked as If the entire
island would be annexed to the in
land sea, but the workers finally tri-
umphed and the falling tide left the
island dry. Tonight a force of sew
eral hundred men is at work prepar-
ing for the supreme test which is ex-
pected at midnight when the tide
comes in.
Although there is considerable
alarm here tonight it is not believed
that the water will approach this city
on the north nearer than the Gala
veras, as the broken Ievees below have
provided an escape for the food. The
situation is liable to change, how
ever as il is not known what volume
is yet TO come down the Sacramento
One thousand dollars was offered By
island residents this morning for a
steamer for one day, and the offer had
TO be refused, for there was not a
steamer available.
Send us a steamer, or a launch and
a barge at any cost" was the message
that came to this city early this morn
ing from the Sargent tract, near Term
inous- Can you go up the canal to the
Sargent canal farm and rescue stock
and beans from the levee?" was asked
this morning Of the captain of the
steamer Jersey.
Il would not attempt to take
steamer up that canal for what the
boat cost new. She would be swept
on the top of the levee and capsized
as sure as fate" came back the answer
Sloughs. rivers, channels, all are blot
ted out by the seething, yellow torrent
that spreads over the lower country
The flood is running over the tops OF