The sun., 1905-07-31
CONNECTICUT DAMS BURST.
THREE YIELD TO THE FLOOD
NORTH OF BRIDGEPORT. ,,
TWO Men Drown IN the Te-rcnt-4-.ases
Arc Torn Away. Gas Main Ex'
plodes and Boats Arc Carried Into the
sound-Thrilllng Rescues by the Dozen.

SOuNu-lHTuiIu8 Roscucs W hso AVAeu'
Bn1poEpoRr, Conn, July so.--In a flood
caused by the collapse Of Wards mill dam
Al the Easton reservoir north Of this city,
carly this morning, two lives were lost,
6fty people were rescued from drowning,
three houses with their sleeping occupants
we're swept from their foundations and
carried down the stream. bridges and
vessels were wrecked and great damage
vas done.
Eight inches OF rain fell from o'clock
Yesterday afternoon to midnight. 1t was
the heaviest rain and the nearest ap-
proach to q cloudburst that the oldest resi-
dents can recall. In the business section
cellars were flooded, the water was waist
deep in many places, business was sus-
pended and the trolley service was badly
crippled The rain came down In such
quantities that the sewers we're unable to
carry 1t of and widespread damage re-
suited.
The fire department was called to pump
the watet out of the cellars OF the mu-
nicipal buildings, and boats were used by
merchants to deliver provisions ordered
for Sunday, as 1t was feared that should the
rain continue the conditions would be much
worse to-day.
About 80 this morning the Easton reeer-
yoir had risen go high and the strain was
40 great upon the dam that It gave way
and the water rushed down the course OF
ANAL strea ms to the Trumt ull dam. which
also yielded. The water rushed into the
North Bridgeport reservoir. the dam Of
which was washed away like 80 much sand.
Trees, fences and small bridges were car
ried along by the food. The Boston ave-
nue bridge was carried away and 1t struck
the house occupied by John Lesko and his
family, sweeping it down tho pond. Leeko,
his wife and three children we're asleep at
the time. Water rushed into the house. and
IN total darkness the family OF five strug-
eled for their lives.
Lesko put his three children on the bureau
In his bedroom and he and his wife stood
on the mattress with the water almost to
their necks, The barking OF IIesko's dogs
attracted the volunteer lie savers. who
reached Lesbos family when his house
was swept on to bank close to another
house which had wiIhstood the food. All
we're rescued and even one of the dogs and
a cat, but the dog who gave the alarm
died,
George Sapsco, who lived on River street.
hard struggle. The house was lifted from
its foundation and dumped in lot block
away. He took his wi and children. ono
at a time, on his hack and swan with them
to a safe place.
Michael Moran was sleer ing alone IN a
shanty and the flood carried the house away
and with great force brought 1t In contact
with the Berkshire b,idge, new structure
Of steel. The shanty was reduced to splin-
ters and Moran was lost In the torrent
William Keweski and John Starcin. Ice
men. were driving an ice wagon across the
Barnum avenue bridge. When they were
about half way across the flood carried
the bridge away and the leo wagon. horses
and men with it. Starcin seized log and
waited his chance to get ashore. Keweski
was caught in the tangle Of horses and
wagon and drowned with the animals.
When the food struck the Pequonnock
River south Of Berkshire Pond the barge
Clara, owned by James MoWilliams Of New
York, was moored at Blacks dock. On
board were Capt. James Kennedy, his wife
and three children. all asleep. Tho haw-
sers snapped as the barge went down the
river with a rush. The barge went under
the East Washington avenue bridge. first
brushing against the liling fender. Capt.
Kennedy took advantage Of the oppor-
tunity and threw his boy on the bridge.
But before he could land the Of hers the barge
righted itself and continued down the river.
The mother and children screamed for
help.
The Congress street bridge is but short
distance away, and the captain watched
for another opportunity to save his family.
but his barge was swung around broad
side and 1t struck the bridge with great
force, knocking him overheard and break
ing a gas main on the bridge. Electric
light wires on the bridge ignited the escap-
ing gas, causing an explosion that shook
the entire city and glare Of light that was
dazzling.
Then the barge caught fire. it having
wedged itself into the side Of the bridge
abutment. Nrenen from q nearby engine
house responded to the alarm, put out tho
fire and saved the family. While fighting
the fire Kennelly's cries for help reached
the spectators. For q time It was difficult
TO locate the voice. Men In boat cruissd
about and finally found Capt. Kennedy
clinging to the piling Of a bridge, about
1000 feet away from the barge. He had
been carried down the river and caught
hold of the pile and chung to it. He was
rescued.
The schooner Hope Haines, which halls
from a Maine port, was torn away from Its
moorings and its bowsprit was broken by
contact with the Congress street draw.
big hole was stove in it's starboard quar-
ter, and men worked until daylight at the
pumps to keep the vessel from sinking.
To-day temporary repairs were made.
The British schooner Therese Of st. John,
N. B., lost her bowsprit, her flying jibboom
and was otherwise damaged in the same
manner. The schooner Dora Allison Of
Norfolk, Va, broke loose from her haw-
sers but her crew threw a line to . con-
venient wharf post and by dropping
anchor avoided damage and danger.
Capt. Robert Meyers and his wife and
family OF two children, on board the barge
Marion E. Bulley, owned by Owan No
Cafiertys Sons Of New York. were carried
out on Long Island Sound and rescued by
the crew OF the tug Senator Rice, OF tho
Bridgeport lighthouse. An hour elapsed
from the time the barge left it's moorings
until the rescue was eRe cted. It was still
raining and the water on the Sound was
rough.
Capt. Meyers and his family were toesed
- - kAN yAxvAa US<l had