DISASTROUS FLOODS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume IV, Issue 1132, 1 July 1867, Page 4

DISASTROUS FLOODS.

LOSS OP LIFE AND GREAT DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY.

It is again our painful duty to record floods of a most disastrous character, in the Nepean, the Hawkesbury, and the Hunter, consequent on the ate heavy rains—floods greater than those which have laid waste from time to time the fertile districts above named. The anxiety felt in Sydney to know the effect was increased to intensity from the silence O f the telegraph lines, North, South, and West. Telegraphic communication with Windsor northern stations has been entirely suspended since half-past ten a.m. on Friday; the interruption being caused by the heavy flood damaging the lines between Blacktown and Windsor. The crosscountry line, via Bathurst, Mudgee, and Murrurundi —which waa constructed on the of Mr. Cracknell, in order to provide communication with the Northern stations when the Windsor line is rendered useless by floods—is washed away at the Turon rivor, near Sofala, and the northern communication will probably bo interrupted for several dayE if the flood still continues. This line rendered valuable service lasr year, it being the only medium of communication with the north at the time the ill-

fated Cawarra was wrecked in Newcastle. The telegraph line at Penrith was washed away, and the Assistant Superintendent (Mr. Walker) went up to Penrith by the special train on Friday, and after considerable diflßeulty an instrument was placed at the Emu Plains, and messages were received there, sent over to Penrith by messenger, and re-tran«mitted thence to Sydney after a short delay. The Southern telegraph line was interrupted on. Friday beyond Yass by the water at Eeedy Creek, which washed away the line there. Communication was restored again on Saturday evening. The rain has fallen, too, during one of the heaviest gales experienced here for some years past. During Friday night it raged with great force. Tilot Gibson, who was on watch at the signal station, South Head, all Friday night, states that the most violent gusts of wind he ever experienced blew about 2 a.m., and fairly shook the tower, into which the rain beat, saturating everything, including the telegraphing instrument, which might thus have been rendered useless at a time when its services might have been of the utmost importance. The verandah of Collie's hotel was blown down, and the building formerly used for Billing's menagerie shared a similar fate. The life-boat was brought round from Camp Cove and moored near the pier,having life-buoys aud I other life-saving apparatus ready for übo. Through- ' out the whole of Saturday forenoon a heavy sea broke right across the Heads, and the breakers dashed againßt the cliffs, throwing the white crests up to an immense height, and sending clouds of spray across the road. About 2 p.m. the City of Adelaide steamed out in Bearch of the Telegraph (s.), and was eagerly watched by numbers who had visited Watson's Bay to see the effects of the gale.As she rounded the south reef s'le felt the full force of the storm, but the vessel was equal to the occasion, and although one of two seas sent the spray flying over her, once clear of the Heads she sped galVntly on her mission. An hour later a barque, which proved to be the Feronia, from London bound to Brisbane, seeking shelter, made her appearance from the eastward under snua canvas, standing in for the port. She was met off the reef by Pilot Jer'iins, and safely brought to an anchor off Watson's Bay. About 4 o'clock it was perceived from the signal station that the lightship had broken adrift, and waa going towards Middle Head. Providentially the "Vesta (s.) having taken down a number of persons- who wished to see the Gap in a storm was then lying at the pier with steam up, and .on .being informed of the circumstance by Pilot Robinson, immediately cast off and made for the Bramble, which by this time had drifted still further towards the northern Bhoro. No time was lost in making fast, but for some time it seemed as if the task waa too much for the tugboat, and " man the lifeboat" was signalled from the flagstaff. Pilots Gibson and Fulleiton, with their crews, responded with praiseworthy alacrity. Fortunately, their services were not required, for as the two whaleboats dashed away from the shore towards the lifeboat it was seen that the Yesta was making good way, and the anxiety with which hundreds ot spectators watched her was relieved. Both vessels proceeded up to Sydney, where Mr. Hixaon, who, on being apprised of the position of the Lightship, promptly made all the necessary arrangements, supplied her with additional anchors and chains, and had her replaced in her former position yesterday afternoon. At Bulli about 10 o'clock on Friday morning nearly all of the new work of the jetty, excepting one panel or bay, was washed away. Tho sea was terrific, but the jetty bore well the strain of the furious gusts of wind and heavy swell until the above hour, at which time two of the piles, which had not been metalled and were much eaten by the cobra, suddenly snapped. This caused o?e of the bays to sink and weakened the whole structure. We deeply regret to add that, before the Company's local manager (Mr. H. C. Thompson) and his three assistants could reach the shore, a sudden burst of the storm swept jetty, men, shoots, waggons, everything, awry. Immediately eteps will be taken to remove the wreck and render the structure more permanent. The bodies have not yet been found.

THE FLOOD AT WINDSOR. (From the Sydney Herald's Special Reporter.) The flood in this district is said* to be by far the highest which has occurred since its settlement by Europeans. The town of Windsor itself is almost ■ entirely submerged, and the country for miles around is under water. The only parts of the township now habitable are a part of George-street, Fairfield (the residence of the Rev. 0. F. Gain soy), Hopkins Hill, (the residence of Mr.W. Walker, M.Ii.A.), Al'Quade's Corner, and the ground on which stands the Boman Catholic Church. These form only a small part of the area built upon, and tho rest is almost altogether out of sight, the line of the other thoroughfares being in some places merely recognisable by means of the chimneys and roofs of the higher houses projecting above the surface of the water. The place has an appearance inconceivably dreary and desolate, and the inhabitants ate in sore distress. The calamity which has befallen them is truly appalling, and ■ it is heartrending to witness their condition. The settlers from miles round havo been brought into Windsor, but not a vestige of their property is left to them. Many who last week were in circumstances of comfort, if not. affluenco.'are now reduced to utter destitution and arc wholly dependent on the kindness of friends or tho aid of Government for the means of subsistence. The School of Arts is crowded with houseless sufferers, so too are the court-house, the Anglican, the Koman Catholic, and the Wesleyan churches. Nothing can exceed the hospitality shown I by the inhabitants whose houses are above the flood line, towards their less fortunate townsfolk. They have been up night and day during the latter part of the -week, and have spared no trouble or expense to rescue the endangered and to mitigate the sufferings. Though worn out by anxiety, fatigne, and exposure, their generous -sympathy is not repressed,and they are now relieving the necessities of the'more wretched as best they can. • Nearly all their dwellings ar-> inconveniently crowded by those who have been washed out; and, I may J

mention; that last night theresidcnoe und premises of the Rov. O. F. G-amaey—not extraordinarily large —afforded a lodgment to about two hundred persons. At a place at Pitt Town, there are thirty-two children in charge of on? lady. Other houses are crowded in similar proportion. There are only three hotels above water. One is the Fitzroy, and the names of the others I forget; but the accommodation avilabls is email. The only bakehouse left is that of Mr. Moses. Hundreds of persons who have fled to the high lands are without food and shelter, and will have to be brought into Windsor to-day! Many are already feeling the pangs of hunger, or Buffering from the cold; and the distress which must inevitably prevail is frightful to contemplate, and the resources of the inhabitants are altogether inadequate to meet it. The Government have authorised Mr. •'William Walker, the representative of the district in the Legislative Assembly, to expend any reasonable Bum of money to meet pressing necessities, and the lot of the sufferers will thus to some extent be alleviated. The colonists, however, though prone to look to the Executive for the appointment of poundkeopors and the building of bridges, are not wont to delegate tho expression of their sympathy to Government, and in the presence of a disaster of this magnitude will not rest satisfied with the asaistance which it is advisable and convenient that the Government should temporarily lispense. Doubtless, as soon as the extent of the jalamity becomes known, the commiseration which is ilrei&y felt will take the form of active spontaneous senoTOl«nc«, *

The waters rose bo fast that rescue in many case* seemed perfectly hopeless, and I understand that when thebjats' touched at Windsor with their cargoes of precious freight, the men were frantically besiiMred by excited throngs of people, clamorously beseeching them to go to "such a place after such a person" and, as may naturally be supposed, they came in for a pretty fair fhare of remonstrance, not to say abuse from unreasoning friends who, in their despair, coneidered as lost their wives, husbands, mothers, fathers sisters, brothers, or other friend?, as the caso might be. The boatmen, private as well as Governmeni kept tolerably calm, ana went on with their work ■with resolution and vigour. Tho wind at times blew furiously, the rain came down in torrents, and the waters rolled over the plain with tumultuous i m . petuosity. The boats iiad to be shot round chim" nevs or gable corners, rowed over fences and tele! graph wires, or to - be pushed through patches of forest, but despite every difficulty, the men worked cautiously as well as expeditiously. None of their boats were stove, hundreds of persons were, transferred from one place to another, and I do not believe that you could find a man in Windsor who does not gratefully acknowledge his indebtedness to the brave fellows who timely arrived from Sydney and to his fellow townsmen. I have not heard a single complaint of lack of diligence or duty, but all ready to express admiration of the noble intrepidity exhibited at this trying time.

The people saved were mostly taken from the upper windows of their hou?es, many were taken off the ridge poles, and some were dragged out through holes cut in the roof. The great msjority we-a overjoyed at their deliverance, but many thought "it impossible that the flood could reach them and almost had to be forced to quit. There was, generally speaking, no time to go down into the houses far wearing apparel, or indeed to shut doors or window casements. There were some few unfortunate Mlperched on the roofs of their houses who were loth to leave without their possessions. The boatmen appear to have thought it uncommonly unacconntahlo that they should be accosted in this style: "Oh my poor pig! arn'fc you going to take my poor pig?''' bv a man whom they were tearing from the grasp 0 f death, _ It would be impossible to give a narrative of a tithe eren of the narrow escapes which different settlers and their families had from destruction for those engaged in this perilous enterprise were' too eagerly and incessantly occupied to remember much of what occurred. I may, however, relate a few incidents which have come to my knowledge, in order to give a general idea of the whole. At Cornwallis a man named Alfred Norris, trying to escape from the flood, climbed up a willow tree and lashed his wife and two children to the branches. A third child he held in his arms. When discovered the flood had risen to was, and he was holding one of the children aloft in order to keep him out of the risine water. Had he not have been rescued by a boat ha must have soon dropped from exhaustion or have been swept over by the rising stream. At the same place a man named C'ubitt was taken off tao ridge-pole of his hou e, and soon afterwards the nouse was washed away- About twenty persons were lowered out ot the windows of Mr. Baker's house and ten or fifteen from Mrs. Dargin's. Ur. JJ 1 Bowman was taken out through the windows of his house; and Mrs. Scarvall and family as well as some members of Mr. Want's family, who were visiting at Clare House, KiHarney, were rescued in a similar manner. The pilot boat took thirty five ner sons out of Schofield's, at M'Grath's Hill, Most oi the people at Pitt Town were removed to the church' and schoolhouse, and some were taken to Clarendon and Clifton. On Friday night guns were being fired on in all directions, and these signals 0 f distress were answered by the boats' crews as SDeedilv as possible. Few, if any, attempts could be made to save stock. I am told that there was a small steamer at Windsor which might have been made useful in this way but " the owner was not at home, and the vessel was insured," therefore it was not used; Large numbers of animals were swimming about, and some of the horses persistently tried to force themselves through the open doorways of the houses. A valuable imported horse, the property of Mr. Seeth, worth £500 was swimming for four hours when one of the police boats took him in tow to Windsor. The_ people in Windsor are in a most desolate condition. Most of them have had no sleep for two or three nights j they have had but little food and that at irregular intervals, and they have gone through intense anxiety and fatigue. This is strongly marked on their faces. X have never seen a more disconsolate company than the small throng which the grey_ light of yesterday morning revealed gauging the height of tho flood in George-3treet.

What ia loft of the town id extremely wretched Chimn&yß, crowned with dismal looking cats, crop up here and there, and there are few roofs which ara not occupied as roosts by poultry. Quantities of Jlotsam and jetsam ia the shape of furniture, bandies of straw, &c., are drifting about. Many of the houses have been washed down, and more mast tumble as soon as the waters subside, especially if a westerly wind—the moat prevalent at this season of the year—should Bpring up. THE NEPEAN.

On the 13th of June, 18G4, the TaUey of the Ne. pean, in common with many portions of the Northern and Southern districts of New South Wales was visited by a flood as severe as any within the recollection of the old residents there ; Emu Plains Castlereagh, and the lower part of the town of Pen' rith nearest the river, were all under water, causing immense loss of property and loss of life. At that time the magnificent railway bridge which now spans the Nepaan just beyond the Penrith terminus was not built;-a commencement had been made by placing coffer dams for the erection of the p:.era; but the rush of water, as may be supposed, carried away almostthe entire work, besides a large portion of the plant, including punts and two steam winches. The flood of 1864 was, until the 22nd of June, 1867 always looked upon as one of the most terrible. The' calamity which has befallen this district within the past few days is truly lamentable, the water having risen to an unprecedented height, and covered the whole of the oountry for. miles, reaching places that hitherto have escaped. The K epean commenced to rise on 'Wednesday night, and on Thursday it was what is termed nearly bank high, the current ranning, it is estimated, at from eix to eight miles an hour. The usual indications of a_ flood now appeared in the shape of quantities of driftwood, patches of hay, and now and then, portions of haystacks; Bome of the residents of the lower parts of Emu Creek Plains and Penrith removed from their habitations, and others began Making preparations for the worst. On Thursday night the rain poured down in torrents, the unruly waters burst over their natural boundaries, and inundated the land for miles, presenting at daylight on Friday an almost unbroken lake of many miles. Those who had remained in their houses-at Castlereagh and up to Emu Plains were now hemmed ia by the rising water, and could only hope to reach high ground by the aid of boats: the3e, fortunately, were sent up on Friday, and did good service in rescuing many, who, if they had escaued drowning, stood a fair chance of perishing from exhaustion. Friday night was no less tempestuous than the one preceding—in fact, it was probably worse, and on Saturday the flood may be said to have reached its culminating point. It would be impossible for the most graphic pen to give anything approaching a description of the scene as presented in and around Penrith on Saturday last. Those "who are acquainted with the locality may form some conception of the magnitude of the visitation -when they contemplate the fact that at 3 p.m. the water was within five feet of the floor of the railway bridge, and it had at one time even reached to within three feet of that structure. This bridge i 8 supposed to be over the highest flood level, ind is about fifty feet over the proper level of tho river.

NEWCASTLE. . (From tlio Sydney Herald's Correspondent.) The most fearful gale we have had for man; months commenced on Wednesday night, and up to the time I write (Friday evening) it etill continues with unabated fury. Yesterday (Thursday) morning the gale somewhat moderated, and for two or three hours the weather appeared as if inclined to clear up, bat towards noon the wind freshened and the rain Came down in torrents. As night began to close in the gale increased, blowing with terrific violence during the whole night, accompanied by a fearful downpour of rain. The damage to dwellings, roofs, windows, doors, signboards, fences, &0., was something alarm* ing; but few houses escaped either getting flooded by the rain coming through the roof, windows, or doort', or receiving some damage by the force of the windy

Tn the suburbs nearly every dwelling suffered more o? less and many trees were blown down; the teleeraph wire that connects tho mam line office was broken and had to be repaired before any messages could be sent to Maitland—but the fearful Hot" 33 reported up country prevented nuv communication by wire with Sydney. The shipping also suffered to a -considerable extent, but tho principal disasters appeared to be among the lighters, no lesa than five were cast ashoro on the stones that have lately been placed to form an embankment in front of Bullook Island. The eastcarlv wind caused quite a sea to run in the harbour, which broke with considerable force on these stones. Tivo lighters evontually foundered,ono was coal laden, and for some time it was thought two men were arowned; happily this rumour proved incorrect,, as the men in charge managed to get on board n barque and there remained for the night. Several boats sank at their moorings, and many of tho small crafts narrowly escaped going down. The sea ran high, brealiri" right across the hatbour. Tho breakwater appears 0 to' have suffered, considerably—tho sea making clean breaches through: it; those who had • the courage to cross the sand hills and withstand the cuttin» siud as it dritted along from the sea towards the harbour, witnessed rather a curious phenomenon the boiling sea as it lashed against tho rocks, and rolled into the bight at this end of tho breakwater, caused an immense quantity of white foam to congregate, which, as the wind earns in gusts, lifted it high in the 'air, where it fell in large flakes, resembling in every respect, except in cold, a snow storm. A quantity of this foam collected on this side ofthe breakwater to the depth of several feet, and remained there for some hours. At nine o'clock tho news soon apse&d that Maitland and Singleton were flooded, and that assistance was required. ~THa troAn -which left at 7.15 had to stop at East Mainland, it not being considered safe to allow tho train to cross over Wallis' Creek, when it returned from ilaitlaud. _ No time was lost in getting men and boats in readiness to start S3 soon as possible. Four boats with crows were despatched by tho 11.35 train, and other three boats were sent by the afternoon train to render assistance both at Maitland and Morpeth, where their services were said to be urgently needed. About 10.30 the gale had in no way moderated, in fact the gusts of wind at times were fearful; the sea was running mountains high, and there was a very heavy break od the bar ; notwithstanding this our life-boat crew volunteered to go outside for practice. The crew consisted of—Pilot Taylor, coxswain; assistantpilots Dagwell and Powell; Ahern, belonging to Customhouse crew ; M'Farlane, Tate, Hunter, Williams, Sparkes, Frances, and Peblow, all belonging to the pilot boat. They proceeded direct for Nobby's, and in a very Bhort time were out in the raging billows. The boat behaved beautifully, and as she rose on the mighty ■waves a feeling of admiration ran through the hundreds who had collected on the wharves to watch her progress. A good deal of conjecture was manifested as to the reason the men had ventured out in such fearful weather; but a rumour was prevalent that they were anxious to practise in bad weather, to accustom themselves to the boat in a heavy sea. The boat proceeded round Big Ben, majestically riding over every sea. Her progress was watched with intense anxiety by the people on shore, who lined the wharf and crowded the rigging of the shipping alongside. After being out about an hour she appeared to make for the harbour; but it soon became painfully evident the current was too strong for the men, as they made little or no headway. After struggling on for some time the anchor was let go, in 15 fathoms of 'water, about 1J miles off shore, and just opposite Big Ben. Captain Allen (Harbour Master) seeing this, at once hoisted a Bignal for a fcteam tug. The Bungaree was soon underway, and proceeded down to Nobby's—Btem first, but although she proceeded some distance out, it was not deemed prudent to venture across the break. The lifeboat and crew could be seen distinctly, but no assistance apparently could be rendered, for after waiting BOme time under Nobby's the tug returned to her moorings, leaving the unfortunate fellows to their fete. It is needless to say the excitement of the people on shore ■was most intense —innumerable devices and plans have been proposed to rescue the poor fellows; but, alas, however good the intentions, none have been put into execution. Night came on, dark and stormy, and the rain poured down. Just before daylight the wind lulled for a Ehort time, and there seemed a probability of its clearing up. The sea had fallen considerably. Men had been dispatched to the North Beach, to keep watch in case the lifeboat should come ashore on that side. The look-out station had iis ten cr twelve occupants, who during the whole long night kept a sharp look-out. At dawn of day people from the town began to come -across the Kandhills, and when daylight came several hundred people were scattered over the hills, watching with intense anxiety the whereabouts of the boat and her unfortunate crew. On it becoming generally known the life-boat was safe, riding at anchor about li mile of shore, the greatest excitement prevailed; everyone seemed rejoiced that the poor fellows were BtiU in sight, and that there some hopes of rescuing them from theirperilous position. It was proposed to send out ono of the tugs, but the wind has again freshened, and the rain is coming down in torrents — a perfect deluge; some idea may be foitned of the downpour when an object scarce 30 yards is not discernible. The water is rushing down the streets like £. river; the spouts are insufficient to carry off the water, and it is breakt&jj over the middle and ends of the roofs. Fortunately, the heavy fall of rain did not continue, or it is difficult to say what the consequences would have been. The wind has increaseJ, still holding from the eastward; at 9 o'clock the men in the life-boat made a signal with a white shirt; preparations were immediately made for the Bungaree to go out, having been well battened down fore and aft, and a portion of the bulwarks knocked away to allow the seas to run off. Everything having been made snug, the Bungaree, under the command of Captain Wardringham, and having Captain Collins, Deputy-Harbour Master, and one or two other brave volunteers on board, got underway amidst the hearty cheers of those on the wharf. The Bungaree proceeded up the Blind Channel and round the harbour, making direct for Nobby's. Tn the meantime, notwithstanding the rain, hundreds of people assembled on the breakwater, Signal Hill station, and other prominent points where a view of the boat could be obtained. The progress of the Bungaree, "as she encountered the heavy break of the sea in rounding Nobby's, wbb watched with great anxiety by those assembled on the hill, but the little boat behaved beautifully, and scarce seemed to take in any water. In a very ehort time she was clear of the heavy rollers, and proceeded at once for the life-boat. Strange to say, the wind at this time suddenly lulled and fell almost to a calm, and the sea was evidently going down. After passing the life-boat the tug came round, and the life-boat was made fast; her unfortunate crew were soon taken on board, and the Bungaree, taking the life-boat in tow, made for the harbour. On rounding Nobby's the same aniiety ■was manifest for her safety, once or twice the seas struck her, turning her almost broadside on; but she struggled through the heavy break, but not without losing the life-boat. The strain on the rope became too great, a of the bow ,of tho life-boat appeared to give way, and the boat was soon carried over into the boiling surf. Hopes are entertained the boat may be drifted ashore. The tug came through all right, and proceeded to the steamer's •wharf, where between 1000 and 2000 people had assembled. On the Bungaree coming alongside there was great cheering; the lifo-boat crew were Btanding on the bridge, some of them still with their cork jackets on, and all without boots. They appeare'd pale, cold, and stiff; one or two had to be assisted, their fcfct being much swollen. A finer get of men could scarcely be found to man such a boat, and had they not nave been of the most robust constitutions they must inevitably have Buccumbed to the fearful exposure. Lregret to have to write that one poor fellow died in the boat at about eight o'clock this morning, from exposure. His name was ■William Williams, a Maori and belonged to the pilot crew; he was a married man, and leaves a wife and three little c aren. His body was carried away with the lifeboat when she broke adrift from the steamer 7 "The scene on the wharf when the poor fellows belonging to the lifeboat .landed, waß Tery affecting; many of the men a wives bad come down to meet them-the sufferers tried to look cheerful under the tryine circumstances—benumbed, cold, weary, and hungry and having a very haggard and careworn expression! The poor fellows were greeted by their friends and conveyed home as fast as possible ; many were moved to tears, and a mixed kind of sorrow and joy ■eem to pervade the immense crowd. Much sympathy was expressed for the wife and children of the unfortunate man who died, and a public meeting was at once arranged to take place this afternoon to raise a subscription for thewidow 'and children,! Captain Wadringham, his crew, and volunteers, for their brave conduct in risking their lives to save those of

their fellow men who liad beon exposed in an open boat, out in a fearful sea and boisterous weather for upwards of twenty-four hours. Tho subscriptions will'nlso be distributed among tho bravo fellows who went out in tho lifeboat. Two o'clook p.m.—The lifeboat has drifted ashore near the nortbprn breakwater, with little Or no damage, the body of Williams and all the oars aro gone. The boat is hauled up high aud dry on tho beach.