[List-Cumbria] Carlisle Patriot, 06 Jan 1816 - Floods (1)

[Petra Mitchinson]

Saturday 06 Jan 1816   (p. 2, col. 3-5)

 

EXTRAORDINARY & DESTRUCTIVE FLOODS. 

 

In our last publication, we slightly noticed the storm which prevailed on the Friday evening, at the time of going to press, and the
extraordinary rise of the rivers Eden and Caldew: the former was higher than has been known for upwards of 40 years past, but the
latter at its greatest elevation, was 16 inches under what it was in the flood of 1809. The storm extended over the whole of the
North of England, and the greater part of the South of Scotland, as will be seen by our intelligence from Northumberland, Durham,
and the articles under our Scotch head. 

 

The Caldew attained its greatest height about nine o'clock on Friday night, but the Eden continued to rise till about three the
following morning. The damage done by these rivers, is immense: we have collected the following particulars:-The Eden burst its
banks at the Holme Farm, opposite Crosby upon Eden, in the occupation of Mr. John HAUGH, and drowned six young cattle, and one pig,
which were confined in their houses. The whole of his corn in stacks, stood three feet deep in water. The water ran down a vale to
Castle Shields, and penetrated the houses occupied by Mr. G. BOWMAN, but he fortunately saved his stock. At Parkbroom and Linstock,
it broke its banks and covered the whole of Botcherby Holme to a great depth, sweeping away many acres of wheat, which, before the
accident, was in very promising condition. The river broke down the strong bank at Stainton Holme, carrying away 130 yards of if,
and doing other considerable damage. Considerable injury has also been done at Warwick. 

 

At the foot of this city, the Eden overflowed its bounds in a greater degree than any where in its whole course, in consequence of
the low situation of the ground. The water flowed with such rapidity over the old causeway, that it actually tore up and carried
away a good deal of the pavement and ground, leaving it unsafe for carriages and horses to pass-in consequence, recourse was obliged
to be had to the new bridge, and we were glad to see so many heavy carriages and carts pass over the newly filled north end, without
causing any damage to the walls so recently built. The lower part of Rickergate for many hours, was laid under water, the cellars
and ground floors being filled, and the inhabitants, in many instances, obliged to retire up stairs. Several persons in this part of
the town sustained considerable loss from the water: among others, we are informed, Mr. STOREY, grocer, lost upwards of fifty pounds
worth of sugar, flour, &c. The river has also done some damage to the Bridge Causeway connected with the new Eden bridge. As far as
it yet can be ascertained for the water, it appears the foundation of one of the piers of the fourth arch, has been injured, and
that two of the lower arch stones have been thrown out, which has occasioned the spandrill wall of the pier to shrink from the arch,
leaving a chasm of about an inch in breadth, and extending to nearly the centre of the arch. On inspecting this accident, it appears
that the unfinished state of the work, is undoubtedly the primary cause. 

 

We have seen a letter from the Architect Mr. SMIRKE, after his being informed of the damage done to the Bridge Causeway, wherein he
says-"I assure you, I am not under the smallest doubt as to the ultimate success and perfect security of the work when it is
completed, but while it is unavoidably laying in its present unfinished state, and exposed to the effects of a season most unusually
severe, I cannot be otherwise than anxious, from the great possibility of its receiving partial injury." 

 

The workmen, this week, have been employed in filling up the excavations caused by the water, to guard against any further accident,
until they are enabled to secure the whole line of foundation by large stones, which will be done as soon as possible; and there can
be little doubt but the damage to the arch, will be repaired at no great expence, and without causing any inconvenience to the
public. 

 

The Caldew began its devastation at Hawkesdale, carrying before it, and destroying banks, stone walls, and wearing of every
description. At Dalston, its ravages were very extensive, and considerable property has been lost. Caldew-bridge is so much shaken,
that it must be rebuilt. All the houses in Caldewgate, in the vicinity of the river were flooded, and their inhabitants (where they
had them) driven to the upper stories. As we observed last week, those persons who were from their homes, were obliged to remain so
all night. A garden wall belonging to Mr. P. FARLEY, was broken down by the water, and the garden overflowed in such a manner, that
the greater part of what it contained, has been destroyed. 

 

The Peterill has also been very high, and done some damage to Botcherby bridge. The stones of its pillars are opening and are so
much given way as to cause one or more of the arch stones to drop out. This very inconvenient structure has been in a decaying and
dangerous state for thirty years past, but is now so much enfeebled that we caution all persons against passing over it, and most
particularly with heavy loads or carts. The inconvenience to the public will not be great, as there is another road through
Botcherby, not much more than one mile and a half out of the usual way. We understand a competent person has been employed to
inspect it, and we have no doubt but the damage will be immediately repaired. 

 

The Line has also broke its banks and done much injury, along the greater part of its course. The following letter from our Brampton
Correspondent affords some interesting particulars of what has occurred in that quarter:- 

 

BRAMPTON, JANUARY, 3-The river Irthing was increased by the rain and melted snow to a most prodigious size on Friday last. It was
never known to have been so large within the memory of the oldest person living in this neighbourhood; it was even larger than in
the memorable flood of 1771, at the time of the irruption [sic] of the Solway Moss. Part of the East end of Irthing bridge, on the
road from Carlisle to Brampton has been carried away. At Gilsland, the wooden bridge leading over the river Wardrew was swept away
and carried many miles down the stream. The lately erected bathing houses were also completely carried off, and nothing left but the
boiler belonging to the hot bath. The quay leading to the Spa was also washed away and destroyed by the terrible current. Immense
quantities of turnip and potatoes came floating down the stream, and in many places the soil has been taken off and nothing but sand
left in its stead. The water was above three feet deep in Mr. Christopher GADDES's house at Cammock Bridge, which is 200 yards from
the usual course of the Irthing. At Nook, the residence of Mr. George BELL, the water was in the stack yard to a considerable depth,
which was supposed to be perfectly out of the reach of the water on any possible occasion: he has since been obliged to remove all
his stacks. One of his large holme fields, on the banks of the river has been by the water completely covered with sand. The
swelling of the Tyne has also been so high that one or two of the arches of Haydon bridge have been carried away, and the Newcastle
Mail in consequence is now obliged to come by the circuitous route of Chollesford [sic] &c. Part of the bridge at Glenwhelt has also
been carried off by the violence of the current. In short, the damage has been so extensive that the particulars cannot yet be
collected together, and if they were so, would fill a volume. 

 

 

[to be continued] 

 

 

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