THE THAMES FLOOD.

Auckland Star, Volume XXIV, Issue 291, 8 December 1893, Page 3

THE THAMES FLOOD.

FULL PARTICULARS OF THE DISASTER.

A SCENE OF DESTRUCTION.

A gbaphio description of the Thames flood of Monday and Tuesday last ia published in the Thames "Star," and supplies us with Borne additional particulars of the unfortunate occurrence. The "Star" of Tuesday says:— HThe Thames has in the past eufiered severely from floods, bub thab which occurred last nighb was nob only bhe highest that has been experienced in bhe history of the goldfield, bub was aiso one of the most disastrous. During yesterday afternoon heavy shower,? of rain fell, and afterwards a severe thunderaborm passed over the district, the lightning being mosb vivid, and a cow belonging to a resident of Tararu was struck dead. The creeks had by 5 o'clock risen considerably, while the carrying capaciby of the various water tables were also being taxed to the utmost. The rain then commenced to fall in real earnest, and gradually increased in severity, until by six o'clock it was a perfect deluge, ytill no damage had been done. The Karaka Creek, however, was just abonb level with the bridge, and ib was predicted by several who were in bhe vicinity bhat unless the lain speedily abated the Thames would be visited wibh one of the worst floods ever experienced in its history. This prediction unfortunately proved too correct, 03 a few minutes after 6 o'clock the water rushed down from the hills like a wall, bhe Karaka Creek overflowing in numerous places, and the mouth becoming almost stopped wibh debris and huge logs of wood and boulders. The scene that was then witnessed by those who were present almoab beggars description, for as bhe water increased in depth in the several business places and private residences in Pollen-etreeb control, from Maryatreeb towards Grahams town, the people rushed to save their stock and furniture, whilo husbands and mothers, anxious for the safety of their little ones, carried the children on their backs to places of safety. By this time bhe damage caused throughout the town was almost incalculable) places of business and residences being inundated, gardens devastated, bridges carried out to sea or misplaced, and property ruined. The whole length of Pollen-streeb —as far as Mary-sbreeb—and Alberb-abreeb was like a river, rendering traffic impossible, and boats could have been taken over any part of Grahamstown. The principal

CAUSE OF THE DISASTER bo far as Grahamatown was concerned, was unquestionably the Karaka Creek as its carrying capacity waa exceedingly limited, in consequence of comparatively little debris having been removed from its bed for some time past. A perfect) wave of water came down the creek carrying huge logs and bouldera in its course, thus seriously damaging the bridge near Mr Bull's battery. On turning the bend tha water rushed through the grounds of tbe High School, carrying away the galvanised iron fence that had recently been erected, and also through the properties of Messrs T. Jackaon and White, the younger occupants having to be carried to places of safety. Continuing its course, the water iwepfc across Baillie-street, levelling the fence at the Old Men's Home, through the Fever Hospital, Dr. Williams' residence, the Hospital grounds, and invading the gardens of those living in Mackay-street, Mr J. Vy. Hall's grounds being flooded. The footbridge in Mackay-street was shattered and carried away, and the water swept along tho street, invading the residences on the western side. At one time it was feared that the shopkeepers in Mary-street would aWsutfer, the water reaching to the shop doors, but happily no damage was done. As already mentioned, the waters rushed on and through the backs of the Bhops in Pollen - street, and met the stream of water rushing along that street. The business premises of Mr Walters escaped fairly well, but from that point on towards Grahamstown erery place was flooded, and also the. majority of the residences on the opposite Bide of Pollen-street. Immense damage was done, and the scene was a most pitiable one, while gsveral children had narrow escapes, though we are pleased to learn that no lives were lost. The

SCENE IN GRAHAMSTOWN was equally bad, the residents of Pahau--Btreet, Cochrane - street, Pollen - street north, Albert - street, Kirkwood - sbreeb, Qneen • street, Davy - street, the Beach road, and a portion of Brownstieeb all being heavy sufferers. The water was Irom 6 inches to 3 feeb in depth in tfome of the residences, and the loss of stock I and property waa extremely heavy. The ' ''Star" Office and Borough Chambers, although surrounded by water, practically escaped, bub bhere were 3ft of waber in bhe Queen's Hobel, while ib also rushed through the Provincial Hotel, and the Post and Telegraph Offices were unapproachable except by boat or horseback. The aqueous element was also ab least 3fb deep in the Grahamsfcown Firo Brigade Station, where Engine-keeper J. W. Anderson was at work guarding the property of the Brigade, while at the Bank Corner it mush have been about 4ft in depth. Nearly a foot of water covered tho Building Society's office floor, wile <he buildings which were nob go high off the streeb were still more unfortunate. In the Queen's and Provincial Hotels and other buildings, the water waa rushing through 2sfb deep, while in the " Advertiser" office the flood did great damage, the water being over 2fb deep on the floor. Indeed, so serioua was the aspecb of affairs about 8 o'clock, thab ib became a very problematical matter whether the " Advertiser" would nob be compelled to suspend publication for one issue ab leasb, bub the compositors stuck bravely to their work, and are deserving of the highest commendation. Residents who were preP6nl) at the Thames ab bhe time of the 1881 flood are unanimous in stating thab last night's was far greater, and the volume of water in Alberb-sbreeb and other places was Wach larger than on thab memorable occa«on. In the Karaka, Waiotahi, Moanaraiari and other creeks a good deal of pamago has been done, while ab Tararu '"c scene is one of desolation. The Peach and flab are strewn with wood and wig, while the main bridge has been jjarried away and the bridge near the Norfolk battery and other similar struc'"rea in the vicinity were albo badly damped or else bodily carried away. A considerable length of fluming belonging to 'as Norfolk G.M. Co. was carried away, °nd minor damage done. On the ThamesW'i Road a few small slips have taken P'aets, bub fortunately they are not of much consequence and will soon be cleared away. £ telephone message says thab the storm ™a"»e,verely felb at Tapu and all along the wasb, bub as far as can be learned no lives "a?e been loab. A good deal of damage has °eeidone- to property. In Pollen streeb, W0e '6 the water caused such terrible de"cation, residents were in a shockingly ir and in two or three instances nose living m the low-lying portions of the °,callty had to leave their home 3 and seek sK? 8? o! residence until the storm had !?• t Two or fchreo persons had bo onto fcllroqK h a window, this being the i. y.^ear>3 of egres-8, in consequence of the ««ible force of the water, which beab "gainst the shop doora.

»b A £ rlee Hu K° m»kes his reappearance laftT pera House to-morrow evening the f" absence of 3 years) with one of fi fl vgeßb combinations thab ever WIS N L ew Zealand. Full particulars kii ed in our am«Beraentl column