SEPTEMBER. (A Month of Floods.) While July and August were months of storms, that of September was one of floods, not only in America but across the Atlantic. The Witness despatch from Toronto, dated Sept. 12th, carefully summarizes the terrible flood of that city. It says:-"Early this morning the water in the river Don commenced to rise, and by nine o'clock it had increased in volume to such an extent, that residents living along its banks made all haste to remove their household effects. The water continued rising until one o'clock, when it appears to have reached its highest. About this time the Don and Danforth Bridge gave way with a crash, and was carried down the river towards the Bay The floating timbers and the water charged on the Gerrard street bridge, and succeeded in carrying off two-thirds off it. The next bridge south was that of King street. For some time it withstood the seething water, but at about 4 o'clock it collapsed. The iron bridge of the Grand Trunk was the next south, but the madly rushing torrent spent its force on this sturdy structure in vain. The remains of the wrecked bridges piled themselves up against its side fully twenty feet high, forming a complete barrier, and so it stands at present. Henry Smith, a bricklayer, living at Don Mount, very foolishly attempted to wade across from the city side of the King street bridge before it had entirely collapsed. He had only got a few yards from the shore, when his feet were knocked from under him by the running waters, and he was carried down towards the Bay. Every effort was made to save him by those standing on the bank, but they proved futile. A little girl, whose name could not be learned, was also washed away from the King street bridge. The current was running at the rate of twelve miles an hour past the ruins of the King street bridge. A number of persons crossed the Grand Trunk Bridge, but they had to swim through a small lake on the country side. No trains have passed over this bridge to-day, and traffic is entirely suspended east from here. The same is applicable to all other railways running out of the city, the bridges being carried away on all the lines. Four men were on the South Park Bridge when it started down the river, and before they were rescued they experienced a most thrilling adventure. Ropes were thrown to them which they failed to catch, small boats were launched but the occupants generally asked to be drawn to shore again when the craft got into the rapid current. At last a small raft was constructed and started from a point north, so that it could be secured by those on the bridge. This happy expedient proved successful, and the thoroughly frightened quartette were drawn to shore amidst the enthusiasm of the thousands of spectators who witnessed the sight." This storm was not confined to Toronto. In London, Ont., " 'the rain fell in torrents," filling the river, flooding the valleys and washing out the railway bridge. At Brantford, Ont., it rained continuously for three days. From Smithfield, Ont., it was reported that sixteen bridges in that vicinity had been torn away by the freshets. At Port Credit, Ont., "both bridges crossing the river, and all bridges in the vicinity were carried away. Five vessels broke loose and drifted out on the THE AMERICAN NEWS COMPANY, Lake. Three of them became total wrecks; two of them were overtaken by their owners and secured.' From Scotland, Ont., the word was sent that it "rained incessantly for the last thirty hours; twelve inches of rain fell last night" (the 12th). On the 14th the following sorrowful statement was sent from Brantford :-"The late heavy rains have caused a destructive flood here. The fire bell rang early this morning, calling for assistance for parties living on the flats, who had to be taken off in boats, their houses being flooded. About four hundred feet of track at the west end of the Brantford, Norwich and Port Burwell Railway bridge is washed away. The rails and ties hang on the bridge about four feet above the water. Brantford is nearly all flooded, the water running through the streets, show grounds, and over the railroad track. Sidewalks are all floating and boats have to be used. It is reported that a man named Lundy was drowned this morning. He was driving to the city. The road being covered with water, he missed the road and the wagon upset. The horse escaped, but there is no trace of Lundy. At 3 p. m., the river bridge went with the flood. Three men were on it at the time; one named T. F. Tyrrell, and another, unknown, were drowned. There is now no communication between Brantford and West Brantford. A large number of farmers are detained here until the water goes down." Reports similar in their general import, but varying in their particulars, were received from Patterson, Uxbridge, Hallem, Bridgeport, Selkirk, King, Galt, Otterville, Newmarket, Alliance, Picton, Port Dalhousie and other towns and villages in Ontario, showing the storm's wide extent. It also reached Montreal and points East, but on a less degree. Lumber Later on in the month, the 26th, a tornado passed over the country. At Markdale, Ont., a barn was struck by lightning and destroyed; at Corunna, Ont., "it was accompanied with torrents of rain, doing great damage, blowing down fences and tearing up apple trees by the roots. One tree, loaded with apples, was carried one hundred feet. The drill shed was blown down and a number of houses suffered, losing shingles, etc. The chimney of the English Church was blown down, and fell through the roof of the vestry, destroying the contents. wagons were driven hundreds of feet. At the river it turned small buildings over and carried one over the top of a willow tree a hundred feet away." This storm passed over the States boundary on the lakes, and appears to have been felt even in Spain. The cable despatch says :-"A frightful storm of rain, hail and wind, spread havoc through several Provinces. The gale blew on the Coast of Portugal with special violence, over Lisbon and the Bay of Biscay. Several shipwrecks are already reported. The hail was particularly destructive in the vineyards. There is much suffering among the population." Another stated to be an unprecedently prolonged thunder-storm, which broke over Lisbon and the neighboring provinces, is reported. The damage was extensive-three persons were killed and a large number injured." The first snow recorded in the papers was on the 27th, the despatch from North Wakefield saying:-"There is a slight fall of snow here this morning." Snow was previously recorded at different points throughout the country. (The "Review" is continued on the 65th page.) |