The Indianapolis times. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1922-1965, 1928-01-07
Scores Trapped, Asleep, in
Basement; Property
Toll Enormous.
B,H United PreSS

By United Press
LONDON, Jan. THE River
Thames, pushed by a freak tide and
the overflow from recent fioods,
poured into London early today,
driving thousands from their homes
and trapping others asleep in base
ment apartments.
When it had receded later In the
morning, at least thirteen and prob
ably twenty we're dead, others we're
missing and damage was heavy.
AS news came in from outlying
sections OF London this afternoon,
the estimated death toll was fifteen
in the Westminster district, two in
Putney, two in Hammersmith, and
one in birmingham.
1t was feared the death roll would
mount, due to belated discoveries of
bodies In flooded Easements. It will
be days before the water can be
pumped from many of the buildings.
Climax Of Long Storm
The flood, one Of the greatest of
modern times, was the climax of
weeks of blizzards and floods
throughout England that left an ap-
palling toll of dead, injured and de-
Struction of property.
Six more were killed and hundreds
injured In gale that preceded the
Thames flood, Blowing at from sixty
to ninety miles an hour across the
country, tearing up trees, disrupting
railroad and wire communication
and working general havoc.
The flood began shortly after mid
night and by midmorning the
Thames was comparatively low
again, with the streets drained of
water and trancars running through
some streets. The desolation in
Lambeth was believed unprec-
edented.
The historic Tower of London and
the houses Of parliament were
flooded.
Army Of Rats Marches
Arr army of rats, routed by the
waters, marched across London
bridge and the crowd gathered on
the bridge to view the devastation
retreated in fear.
The river wall burst at Westnin-
ster. and the flood swept through
that district, endangering thou
sands. Most of those who we're lost
we're trapped while sleeping In base
ment apartments. @-
Mounted police galloped through
the streets, sounding the alarm.
Men, women and children, aroused
from sleep, ran into the streets in
their nightclothes and were assisted
by police and soldiers to higher
sections of the city.
Fire engines and arnbulances were
called, but were unable to penetrate
the flooded areas.
The water was five feet deep in
the Hammersmith, Vauxhall, Chel-
sea. Fulham and Westminster dis
tricts.
Power Plants Crippled
Power plants we're put out OF
commission and electric lights failed
IN many buildings. incluceng st.
Thomas hospital. The waters over
flowed the Thames embankment be-
tween Blackfriars and Waterloo
bridges and tram service was sus-
pended.
Several feet of water flowed into
the United Press Bldg, and nearby
newspaper Offices manned pumps to
save the presses. Fire engines we're
sent to assist in the pumping.
The Westminster city engineer
announced the possibility OF another
nigh tide between and 2 p. m. to-
day. Temporary barricades we're
being erected to replace fifty yards
OF wall broken along Grosvenor road
IN the Lambeth district.
The districts worst affected
were Westminster, Vauxhall and
Lambeth. Four sisters named Hard
ing, ranging in age from 3 to 18.
were trapped while sleeping in a
basement on GroSevenor road and
drowned. The other dead included
a 76-year-old crippled woman. Three
other women, a 17-year-old boy and
two men.
Liner Breaks loose
The Blue Star liner Trojan Star
5000 tons, broke her moorings at
Liverpool and endangered port
shipping, including ferryboats loaded
with passengers. Four tugs finally
took her in tow.
The steamer Noyle was drifting
rudderless off Holyhead for hours
until finally brought to anchor off
Carnarvon Bay, with the steamer
DeSna standing by. A lifeboat which
tried to assist the Noyle from Holy
mead was forced back by mountain
GUS waves.
The lower sections of the Tate
gallery, one of the worlds store
houses of art, were flooded and ir-
reparable damage done. Fifteen
thousand Turner sketches in about
100 portfolios, valued at thousands
OF pounds Sterling. intrinsically, but
from the artistic viewpoint priceless
and irreplaceable. we're DESTROYED.
Many pictures of lesser value were
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