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the family of james belcher of waterford, ireland - University of ...

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72 APPENDIX C. THE STORY OF THE FLOOD<br />

ra<strong>the</strong>r than a public highway Adelaide Flat, too was over <strong>the</strong> river at Vaughan, and <strong>the</strong> new one erected<br />

nearly impassable from <strong>the</strong> storm water, and some by <strong>the</strong> Road Board, are both carried away. Large<br />

injury accrued to private persons. quantities <strong>of</strong> hay were seen floating down <strong>the</strong> river<br />

OnBarker’sCreek, asusualeveninordinaryfloods, on Saturday and it is feared that much damage has<br />

much damage has been done to <strong>the</strong> gardens by which been done to <strong>the</strong> cultivated land along its banks.<br />

<strong>the</strong> creek is skirted on its western bank, and <strong>the</strong> small<br />

A correspondent at Newstead says – At an early<br />

fords were impassable Some anxiety was felt as to<br />

hour on Saturday morning, <strong>the</strong> Loddon was risen to<br />

what would be <strong>the</strong> effect at <strong>the</strong> railway station <strong>of</strong><br />

alarming height, and by mid day it made a clean<br />

such an extreme rise in <strong>the</strong> waters <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> creek; it was<br />

sweep through several <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> dwellings and stores<br />

foundthat<strong>the</strong>precautionsthathavebeenadoptedby<br />

near <strong>the</strong> bridge. Mr Richardson’s Bridge Inn and<br />

widening and straightening <strong>the</strong> channel at that part<br />

Mr Clark’s store had a flow <strong>of</strong> water right through<br />

<strong>of</strong> its course were sufficient for <strong>the</strong>ir intended purpose,<br />

<strong>the</strong> large and rapid torrent rushing by without<br />

<strong>the</strong>m about 18 inches deep. Mr Day <strong>the</strong> butcher had<br />

<strong>the</strong> foundations <strong>of</strong> his premises so much inundated,<br />

encroaching on <strong>the</strong> railway ground.<br />

that <strong>the</strong> whole <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> back wall <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> shop and <strong>the</strong><br />

At Taradale <strong>the</strong> Coliban overflowed its banks, doinggreatdamage,<br />

carryingawayseveralsmallbridges,<br />

partition wall <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> house fell in. The back water<br />

covered a large portion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> flat, all traffic across<br />

inundating <strong>the</strong> flats, and deluging numerous tents<br />

<strong>the</strong> bridge was stopped on Saturday, and on Sunday<br />

on <strong>the</strong> banks,. Several tunnelling parties have sustained<br />

severe loss in consequence <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> flood, <strong>the</strong>ir<br />

morning, when <strong>the</strong> water had subsided, <strong>the</strong> scene was<br />

truly pitiable. Great quantities <strong>of</strong> fencing and part<br />

tramways, & c. being ei<strong>the</strong>r washed away or damaged.<br />

At 3 p.m. on Saturday, Holywell’s Bridge was<br />

<strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> soil on some <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> farms were carried. away.<br />

Two large gaps were made in <strong>the</strong> embankment approaching<br />

<strong>the</strong> bridge, and logs <strong>of</strong> larger dimensions<br />

in great jeopardy, large trees having been brought<br />

down by <strong>the</strong> swollen current, and done great damage<br />

to <strong>the</strong> works. Many miners were prevented from<br />

were lying on <strong>the</strong> road. All day Sunday, <strong>the</strong> people<br />

were kept employed clearing <strong>the</strong> sludge, and bailing<br />

recording <strong>the</strong>ir votes for <strong>the</strong> Mining Board Election<br />

<strong>the</strong> water out <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong>ir places. Altoge<strong>the</strong>r serious amage<br />

has been done to <strong>the</strong> neighbourhood. Could <strong>the</strong><br />

in consequence <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> flood.<br />

Heavy rains have fallen on <strong>the</strong> north-west and <strong>the</strong><br />

Governmenthavebutseen <strong>the</strong>site<strong>the</strong>yhavefixed for<br />

rivers are consequently much swollen , and on Saturday<br />

communication by coach was interrupted. The<br />

andbegan<strong>the</strong>telegraphstationon, <strong>the</strong>ysurelywould<br />

not risk such a building <strong>the</strong>re, especially when <strong>the</strong>re<br />

new bridge at Carisbrook was completely submerged<br />

is so much dry ground near. The water encroached<br />

. Altoge<strong>the</strong>r <strong>the</strong> quantity <strong>of</strong> rain on Saturday and<br />

on Marsden’s Hotel to <strong>the</strong> depth <strong>of</strong> two feet.<br />

<strong>the</strong> previous day was remarkable, and but for <strong>the</strong> numerous<br />

excavation along <strong>the</strong> course <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> Creek. we<br />

Mr Parker (<strong>of</strong> Cobb and Co.) informs us that<br />

a portion <strong>of</strong> <strong>the</strong> large bridge, and <strong>the</strong> approaches<br />

should have witnessed a scene almost equal to that<br />

<strong>the</strong>reto, which crosses <strong>the</strong> Loddon at Eddington were<br />

in 1850.<br />

washed away on Saturday morning., <strong>the</strong> water actually<br />

covering <strong>the</strong> bridge rails. Communication was<br />

About midday on Saturday, <strong>the</strong> rain abated in<br />

Castlemaine and neighbourhood, though <strong>the</strong> appearance<br />

<strong>of</strong> dense masses <strong>of</strong> heavy clouds coming up from<br />

<strong>the</strong>reforeinterruptedwithDunnollyandDandyCreek.<br />

It was with difficulty that <strong>the</strong> mail bags were got<br />

<strong>the</strong> north and west seemed to forbid <strong>the</strong> hope that<br />

across on Sunday. The bridge was built by Government,<br />

and cost about 3,000.<br />

<strong>the</strong> cessation was more than temporary. In this, however,<br />

<strong>the</strong> public were agreeably disappointed, for in<br />

<strong>the</strong> afternoon, <strong>the</strong> sky cleared, and yesterday was an The body <strong>of</strong> a man was found in <strong>the</strong> River Loddon,<br />

above Guildford, on Sunday morning, On being<br />

open, clear, bracing winter’s day.<br />

taken out, it was recognised as that <strong>of</strong> a person living<br />

at Shicer Gully, named Belcher. Someone was<br />

THE LODDON<br />

The flood in <strong>the</strong> Loddon, we are informed, was heard late on Saturday night to “cooey” near Fox’s,<br />

higher than for several years past. The foot-bridge at <strong>the</strong> Middle Crossing, and afterwards a splash in

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