GREAT FLOODS IN MELBOURNE

Auckland Star, Volume L, Issue 68, 20 March 1919, Page 7

GREAT FLOODS IN MELBOURNE

APPAI.LING DAMAGE DONE. ■WHOLE SUBURB UNDER WATER. Eecent cable messages gave 'but a faint idea of the effect of the cloudjmrst over Melbourne on March 5. The Melbourne "Age," in its report, gives details of the disastrous nature of the phenomenal downpour, which involved not only great loss of property, but also loss of life. In Footsehay (says the "Age") the flood waters descended through the streets and swept through the houses dramatic suddenness. During Tuesday the rain had fallen steadily and heavily", and although the low-lying areas were slightly inundated, no fear was held that floods would follow. But about 1 a.m. yesterday, according to the evidence of residents, the rain increased in intensity. Blown along by the gale until it resembled a sheet of water, the rain fell with torrential violence for over an hour. Then the flood I waters began to encroach on the outskirts of the town. In fifteen minutes the roadways—the gutters had been running a banker for some hours—■ were covered, and the land on both sides of the railway line was filled with a swirling mass of clay-coloured water. By 2.30 axii. the floods were considerably augmented in volume, and the water ■was racing down the grade towards the Saltwater River. So strong was the current that the rush of water could not foe stayed; obstacles in the course, such as trees and fences, were levelled to the ground. POOR DRAINAGE SYSTEM. Singularly enough, the flood waters, in gravitating towards the natural outlet of the river, followed the course of the main drain through the city. The drain—a brick and concrete channel over i six feet in diameter—commences near i the military remount depot at Mari-1 iymong, and takes the drainage from! the districts of Sunshine, Bravbrook, portion of Werribeeshire, as well as the ; city of Footscray and the immediate surrounding country. This underground drain, after passing through the outskirts of Footscray and crossing underneath the railway line through an open subway, again takes a subterranean passage to Albert Street, and thence onwards to the river. Along this course the flood waters came in in a turbulent torrent, until it was feared that the fcrick and concrete drain had given way under the strain. The drain, however, remained intact, but it proved totally inadequate to cope with the mass of water. So the flood waters, rising rapidly and spreading strongly, reached the surface, and near the open entrance at the railway tracks burst the stone coping and scattered through the town. Appalling damage was caused at Albert Street, near the bridge, under which the drain runs. There the terrific force of rushing waters tore the asphalt footpaths asunder, flung the heavy blocks along the roadway and burst over the mm stone bridge. Eye-witnesses state that the substantial Ibrick parapet on the bridge quickly gave away in the avalanche of -water which gained fresh impetus owing to the fact that the bridge is on lower ground than the railway line a hundred yards away. The main body of water passed this spot aW2 a.m., destroying and levelling everything in the way. Huge pieces of metal, many of which, it is estimated, were over a ton in weight, were hurled dear of the bridge and down to the bed Of the drain. A striking illustration of the immense water power was revealed yesterday norning when it was perceived that great Tagged holes, varying in depth from S to 12 feet, had been ex"cavated in the roadway. Street metalling and the solid foundation blocks of hluestone strongly cemented had been washed clear on to a vacant piece of adjacent land.

The railway embankment, soma feet above the level of the roadway, resisted the encroaching water for some time, but when the capacity of the drain was overtaxed the waters rushed out of the stone channel with a furious force and flooded the line for some distance. Scott's foundry—a commodious iron buildin"- in Raleigh Street—suffered severely. "riie water flooded the whole premises, and completely enveloped the machinery up to a height of six feet. A motor-car which was stored in the foundry was covered by the water. Yesterday "morning employees were unable to work owing to the damage, which, it is calculated' will run into hundreds of pounds. Other plaoes affected in this vicinity included Campbell's wine cellars, the main cellar, containing stock valued at nearly £600,' being nearly filled with water.

HOUSES SWEPT ACROSS THE STREET.

The cyclonic fury of the storm waters found vent in West Footscray, and particularly in Swan Street. One house was flung bodily across the footpath on to the opposite side of the roadway. According to the story of spectators, the water was beating against the house— a three roomed wooden structure—with furious force. Suddenly the foun lations gave way, the brick chimney toppled over, and, swaying in the maelstrom of rushing waters, tlie house was deposited on the other side of the street

Material damage was caused >n otii»r parts of the district. In Hyde Street—a newly tarred road—the metal was torn and scattered about, while a hole twelve feet deep was hewn out near the section under which the drain passes. Along the north side ten houses were flooded, while other premises were severely damaged. Near the Black Arch foundation, blocks were torn up, while towards the river flats the water reached the ceilinp, and the predicament of tlie residents was tinged with peril. In Buckley Street, where a new tram line is being laid down, the rails and sleepers were lifted from the bed of the track and scattered along the roadway. Doherty's bakery was washed out from end to end. and a big stock of flour was considerablydamaged.

But for the prudent warning given by the police, the visitation of the floods would undoubtedly have taken toll of numan life. A strong force of police and bands of willing workers, however, spread the alarm and assisted many of the residents to places of safety.

FATALITY AT FOOTSCRAY. During yesterday morning (March 5) a fatal accident occurred at Stony Creek, Footscray. Alfred Luizzi, 30, milk vendor, residing at Blackshaw's Road, Newport, being swept away in his cart by che tiood waters and drowned. Deceased, who was a married man with three children, left his home at 4.4.") a.m. to serve his round of customers in West Footrterav. At about 7 a.m. the horse and rait were found in Stony Creek, about (500 yards below tho nev Williamstown bridge, near the railway line, the horse being dead, and after a search the body of deceased was found about 100 yard's from tlie bridge on the bank of the creek, where it had been feft by the receding flood waters. Early

in the morning the water was- running right over the bridge—a spectacle never previously witnessed, and it is supposed that in an attempt to cross the structure the turnout was swept into the creek. RECORD RAINFALL. During the 24 hours ended at 9 a.m. on March 5, the rainfall recorded in -Melbourne was 3.55 inches—the heaviest tall ever recorded in the Victorian metropolis.