New Britain herald., 1924-04-07
Raging Torrent Sweeps Through City When Pequabuck River Swollen By R ain, Leaves Bank.
Buildings Threatened by Undermining-F0restyille Bridge Sinhs-No Trol- leys to Plainyilie.
.sne- al tn rhe Ilesala.l

I i Bristol April 7.--f.stimates of sl00,e0 damage by the terrific rain- pour that swept the city last night
 and this morning may fall way short
 of the actual cost of the havoc
 wrecked hy the elements, The full
 force Of the storm became apparent
 about o'clock this morning, when
 it was found by early factorHgoers
 that the city was an island, being
 practically marooncd. Trolley and
 steam service was al standsull,
 trolley service between here and
 PlainHile being cut of, Cars could
 run only as far as the Sessions Clock
 Co. plant in Forestvilie. about half
 way to platnNille The steam service
 was held up from half an hour 10 an
 hour and then for time. the dues-
 tlon of transferring passengers around
 the trestle bridge, west of the Forest
 vile station was considered as it was announced that the bridge had settled 1 nine inches, because of the raging torrent that swirled about the pillars. The water reached nearly to the rails. Great caution was exercised in run ming trains over tue structure that withstood the strain nobly but with no great degree Of assurance 10 the onlookers,
 Autos Unable to Breast Flood
 Even motor ear traffic was inter- fered with as in the lower paris of the city. the water was above The radiators in many eases. One young man waded into water nr to his chest in his garage to get out his car. only to find the seats floating around and only the top of the pr showing. like the snpcfstfuctiire on d sniiken ; vessel.
 Center Building Threatened
 Meadow street was a placid lake, while School street was raging tor rent. The last named street was like an ocean with tributaries running into II was Park. Divinity. West and other connecting streets poured swift flowing rivers into the thoronghfare. which enters the Memorial Boulevard at Main &reet. All Of the cellars on School street were flooded and for q time, il Was thought that the hand scHe Center Bniding owned hy Judge William J. Malone. was doomed. This structure is build over the Pe- onabBck river which ordinarily has iamblike nature but which became lion becalisc of the extra water flcav- ing down. The water rose so that the stores on the first floor had water over them and the cellar was com pleie mass of water. In order that the water might be emptied. the fire department was called and the Mack pumping engine Of Hose Company No. I was assigned to thu task.
 stocks in Buildings Ruined
 The iflley-Tracey and Nolkenheim buildings were also affected by the flood as both were threatened with serious damage to the under pinning as in the case of the Malone building The cellars of the Hose Company No. i fire house was flooded and water stepcd onto the floor where the Mack pnnlper was standing. In the eases of the three business structures above. large stocks Of goods were ruined by the water. Some rebuilding will also be necessary so that the three owners have suffered great loss. Judge Ma- lone will be tine biggest loser as his cellar was completely flooded and damage 10 the heating system. eicc- trieal units and other parts of the building took place.
 Judge Malone's new structure few hundred feet west on School street, also meet the wrath of the floor and was damaged. A small building used as storage shed to float away and was an chered with ropes. The ncW filling station of the Atlantic Cas Co. nearly peacefully iu q lake.
 High S,liooI Flooded
 About 10 feet of water covered the new High school gymnasium floor. g hicli had inst been refnished for the police bail on April zs. Gymnasium equipment suffered in Inc onslaught 1f the water as did all Of tlre equir- uent in the lockers. tho swimming pool and the entire basement Of fhs High scbo0i. The domestic science q apartment Ras Hot damaged greatly, aer aas tlIe boiler plant. Judge Roger S. Newell. chairman of the -errsatioHai activities of tite north wing CT tte school. announced this morning That fbe swimming classts .0r today would not be held and tlle slasses would probably he discon- iHHed for several tiaFS.
 fn1 I'tSt td GsofirtaFsi Nauisf
 Nearly fha feet of tfe Memorial Rouietard has tanisiicd near the East street bridge and Will require several tonssras af dollars 10 re- place. according ta City Eu- -ineer Carleton V. BueH. who was sfisiiy engaged this morning in sur seYinr the extent Of he storm debris. of Pubic Works Oscar Anfefssn and his force af men were la The job bright and carry 10 IT. ire conditions as much as possible. His department will suffer a hard slow in it's expense account for the -cg.afr ef the rity streets.
 Nru Tortsfsigle BrfaIge graeks