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The Taunton Courier. Bristol and Exeter Journal, and Western Advertiser Wednesday 13 March 1889

Page 4 & 5

TAUNTON FLOODED.

GALLANT RESCUES FROM DROWNING.

Ten Thousand Pounds Damage.

Half Taunton was flooded by the overflow of the river Tone on Friday night, and from North-town to Albemarle-road the streets resembled.

A SEA OF RUSHING WATERS.

The heavy rains of Thursday night and Friday had flooded the Tone, and its banks began to overflow shortly before noon. Little danger was apprehended till evening. By this time the water was rushing into the streets of North-town in two directions. The stream leading from Kingston through Fairwater overflowed across the main Great Western Railway line, into the shunting yard and to the meadows at the end of Albemarle-road and Belvedere-road. Down both these thoroughfares it made its way into Station-road. The water also

CAME OVER THE BANKS OF THE TONE,

and it rushed across the Weir fields, through Wood-street and its adjacent thoroughfare, pouring into Bridge-street at both ends, joining the overflow from Albemarle-road, and quickly flooding Station-road and Bridge-street from the Rowbarton side of the railway to the North-town bridge. The united streams rapidly rose until the

WHOLE LENGTH OF ROAD WAS IMPASSABLE

either for pedestrians or equestrians, and communication with the station was entirely cut off. Those who lived beyond the bridge were

UNABLE TO REACH THEIR HOMES.

The 'bus proprietors sent their men with vehicles to enable the people to reach the station, and for two or three hours after tea they were able with difficulty to take passengers to the station. Shortly before eight o'clock, however, the current of water was so strong that horses could hardly keep their legs, and one or two of the last vehicles floated with the stream as they reached the torrent near Wood-street. By half-past eight it became dangerous for any vehicles to venture to cross the roaring current. But those that had ventured on the journey were instrumental in

RESCUING MANY HALF DROWNING MEN

who were struggling in the water. One of the London hotel 'buses was being driven by Edward MOGGRIDGE from the station, and as he reached YOUNG's North-town stores he saw a postman clinging to an electric light post, waist deep in water, the rushing waters threatening every minute to carry him away. His calls for help attracted the driver, whose brother, Thomas Henry MOGGRIDGE, half-blinded by the rain, made a gallant effort to

SAVE THE DROWNING MAN.

Standing on the shafts and catching hold of his brother's hand, Thomas threw a large sack to the postman, who succeeding in seizing it. For a moment it was doubtful whether it would be possible to get him on to the vehicle. His hands were benumbed with cold, and he was so exhausted that the stream made him stumble over and over again. Once he

DISAPPEARED UNDER THE WATER,

but he regained his feet. He was then pulled on to the shafts and hoisted to the top of the 'bus. It is said that the postman had gone with the mail cart, but had lost his footing, and in his struggle had been carried by the flood down the road where he managed to

SAVE HIMSELF

by clinging to the electric light post. Proceeding on their way they saw another man in an equally despairing condition, holding fast to a window post. Fright had evidently driven him half frantic, and he was halloaing “for God's sake save me. Won't no one throw me a rope?” He was then heard praying to be delivered, and at times shouted out “Save me, for I'm a true born British sailor.” The whirling torrent made it difficult for the driver to get near the man. One of the occupants of a house opposite, seeing his distress, was preparing to go out to his assistance, when the conductor, a man named SOOGBEAR, who stood on the steps of the 'bus, threw a bag to him, which he seized. He was able to struggle to the steps of the 'bus, but was carried away as he reached them.

THE WAVES DASHED HIM BACK

again, and he would have been swept under the vehicle had not the conductor seized him by the collar and dragged him into the conveyance. On reaching Dr. FARRANT's he was taken in and attended to.

ANOTHER RESCUE

was made by Messrs HATCHER's men, who were driving a horse with a heavy load to the station. All went safe till Mr SAUNDER's butcher's shop, at the end of Wood-street, was reached. The water came down in volumes, and the horse swerved round. It was impossible to go further. Just as they were about to turn round the driver, Mr POLE, saw

A MAN FLOATING DOWN WOOD-STREET.

He was being tossed about here and there, and at every attempt he made to regain his feet or seize hold of the timber that was being borne upon the water he was overcome by the current. At great danger to himself and the horse Mr POLE managed to get near the unfortunate man, and, throwing the whip to him, he was pulled into the van half dead with exhaustion and fright. They then drove back, finding it impossible to proceed, and the man was left at the Half Moon. His name has been ascertained to be Robert COLES, mason, of High-street. It was ascertained that another man was drowning near Mr STACEY's, baker, and Mr John WHITE's men sent two men on horseback to his aid, and he was brought back. He stated to one of his deliverers that he had thought he would be able to wade through the water, but he found himself helplessly whirled about, and, managing to seize hold of something, stood waist deep in water till saved.

Timber of all kinds was seen tossing about the stream, and there were several

DEAD RABBITS

in the water. One of the mail carts was sent to convey letters to the station, but the horses could go no further than the end of Wood-street. There the water was six feet deep, and was rushing at the rate of seven or eight miles an hour. The van was driven to the George hotel, and there its contents, all wet and apparently damaged, were taken into the hotel. For some time it was feared that the cart would have to be left in the water, but after a great deal of hard work, the men in charge succeeded in putting it into the hotel yard. Another singular accident which might have ended disastrously happened to one of the 'buses. As it proceeded down Station-road it swayed with the current. The water by that time was as high as the seats, and the occupants were standing on the cushions. The 'bus was thrown on to one side and the frightened

HORSE BROKE THE SHAFTS AND DASHED AWAY.

The passengers were in great danger, and had the vehicle overturned there is no doubt that they would have been killed or drowned. The other 'buses that passed saw their plight, and on arriving at the bridge induced Mr WHITE's men to send assistance. Two horses were sent out and brought the 'bus back. The passengers were saved.

Great damage was done to goods in the houses and shops in North-town. Every house and shop was flooded, the water being several feet deep. Precaution was taken to remove some of the goods, but the water rushed in so rapidly that the work had to be abandoned, the people having to take refuge in their upper rooms.

THE INCONVENIENCE TO TRAFFIC

on the line was considerable, and in some districts great fears were entertained about the safety of some of the bridges. No trains were able to proceed along the Watchet line after the 1.50 from Taunton. Fears were entertained as to the safety of the Barnstaple line, it being stated that a great many of the sleepers had been washed away.

The mails did not go out Friday night, and consequently we were unable to forward by post copies of the Herald to our numerous subscribers.

The Ilchester and Axminster mail carts arrived, and the up-mail train came as far as Taunton, but could proceed no further. The down mail stopped at Bridgwater, the local mail bags having been brought on by 'bus, and reaching Taunton about six.

A large number of townspeople and those who were unable to get home crowded North-street all night.

When the rumours got noised abroad that

MEN AND WOMEN WERE DROWNED

several gentlemen thought of the necessity of putting out boats, but the owners would not let them out because it was doubtful whether boats could be managed in such angry waters. Two or three gentlemen conceived the idea of loosing the boats and taking them away by force, and for this purpose a number of men were got together, but they returned without the boats. By some means one boat was got out shortly after midnight, but the rowers were unable to manage it, and it capsized. The lives of two men were endangered, and were only saved by the assistance of Mr TAZEWELL, who rode into the water and got them out.

As the water came over North-town bridge those who stood watching the river, waiting to hear the news from the 'bus men as they came in, had to leave, and on reaching the bottom of North-street they found their retreat cut off by the overflow from the Horse-pond, several ladies having to be carried across the water on the shoulders of gentlemen, who had to wade some distance.

In East-reach at 11 p.m. the water had turned the corner, totally flooding Mr BROWNING's butcher's shop, and was still rising, the road, as far as the eye could reach, presenting the appearance of an ordinary river.

It is said to be more than 60 years since such a flood occurred in this district.

The rain ceased at 9.30, but there was no signs of the flood abating until one o'clock, when it very quickly subsided, and by two o clock on Saturday morning there was no water in the streets on the south side of the bridge. It was then that the firemen, who had been waiting in the hope that the current would be soon be less strong, ventured into the water, but they were unable to get near the fire. The Post-Office officials had been unable to leave the station until after two o'clock, and they were conveyed across in breaks. Waggons and 'buses were again used to convey passengers across the water, when business was resumed in the morning, and Station-road was not passable for pedestrians until early in the afternoon. When the water had cleared away the roads resembled a sea beach, the flint stones had been washed up, and it is said that it will be a considerable time before the road can be put in a proper condition again.

The streets, as the water subsided, presented a pitiable spectacle. The wall of Mr WEBBER's house had been washed away; the verandah, &c., adjoining the North Ward Club was demolished by a large baulk of timber. The streets were strewn with articles from the many shops that had been flooded, much of the debris being washed into Jarvis's field. At the Myrtle Tree the untapped casks were driven into the yard, and general havoc was worked among the hogsheads in the house, the front door being broken in by the force of the water. Mr SALE, Mr CROSS, and Mr JARMAN suffered severely, their stock being wrecked irretrievably. There was a gas explosion at Mr YOUNG's North Parade Stores, and here, as at the other grocers' and drapers' shops in the vicinity, the ruin was complete.

LATER PARTICULARS.

While the flood was at its height, a serious

GAS EXPLOSION

occurred at Mr YOUNG's North-town stores. Mr WILLIAMS, the manager, with his assistant, Mr KNIGHT, were busily engaged in removing the stock to the room upstairs, when the inrush of water broke the joint off the gas metre, which is situated close to the window, and

THERE WAS AN EXPLOSION.

The large pane of glass in the shop door was shattered, and the frame work of the left portion of the shop front was forced outwards a couple of inches, through the plate glass window was not damaged. Mr KNIGHT was seriously burned about the face, arms, and hair. As the gas rushed out of the meter, it caught fire, and was glaring fiercely, casting a bright light on the rushing waters outside. Mr WILLIAMS, at considerable risk, managed to turn it off, or the premises would undoubtedly have been burned. As it is, about £20 damage has been done.

Mr BICKLEY, draper, of the North-town Post-office, has been a sufferer to the extent of at least £100. A considerable quantity of spring stock which he had just had in was completely spoilt. When the water was first seen Mr BICKLEY and his assistant began piling up the stock on the counters, but after a time the invading element overlapped the lower counters, and so their precautions were of no avail. One counter upon which were a quantity of trimmings and drapery, which was placed at the end of the shop facing the door, was completely upset by the force of the current, and the goods were ruined. The force was so strong as to also break the window of a large show case in the shop.

THE RAILWAY COMMUNICATONS

were interfered with for a long time, and for twenty-four hours Taunton was practically cut of from the rest of civilisation. The last down train from London on Friday night was a narrow-gauge stopping train which came in at 8.30. The passengers alighting at Taunton could not go out into the town, and had to spend the night in the waiting-rooms. The broad-gauge express due at Taunton at 9.30 came as far as Durston, but was unable to proceed any farther, and had to go back to Bridgwater, as the invert by Creech Paper Mills was impassable. The last up train was the mail which arrived in Taunton station during the night, but no up train could come after that, as portions of Cowley Bridge, near Exeter, were washed away. At Cowley Bridge the full force of the flood was felt, and sad havoc was played with the lines. The water rose rapidly, and was quickly on a level with the upper part of the bridge. Unable to get away by its usual course, the water found its way over the metals where the Great Western and South Western lines form a V. The result was that

A GREAT BODY OF WATER POURED UNRESTRAINEDLY OVER THE RAILS

nearly the whole of the night, and for a time the signal box, which was literally surrounded by a torrent of water, was in danger. Traffic was of course suspended, and when the water subsided on Saturday morning it was fond that the metals of both systems had been undermined and were quite impassable. The culvert near the silk factory between Taunton and Norton burst, so that the line there was washed away. Until Cowley Bridge was repaired no trains could run between Taunton and Exeter, but at 3 o'clock on Saturday afternoon on experimental train was run from Exeter, and arrived in Taunton at 5 o'clock. The mails, which had been brought on from Bridgwater by 'bus, were then sent down to Exeter and the South, being about 24 hours behind time. Between nine and ten on Saturday night the first up train got through to Durston and Bridgwater, but during Sunday only one line of rails could be used, and it was not until six a.m. on Monday morning that both lines were in proper working order, at which time trains could be run on all the other lines. Mr HAMMETT, the company's engineer, has had a hard task to get all the ines <sic> repaired in so short a time.

Arrangements were made with the London and South Western Railway Company to take passengers, mails, and urgent goods to places below Taunton on their line as far as Templecombe or Exeter. The few passengers who wished to get to Taunton or stations below from Bristol and Bath went by Midland and Somerset and Dorset to Templecombe, thence to Exeter by London and South Western, and thence by Great Western to their destination, having, to say the least of it, plenty of ride for their money. The first train to attempt to get through the floods after Friday night on the Great Western main line was a short train, which, by the aid of three engines, managed to get from Bridgwater to Durston on Saturday afternoon at two o'clock. It was found impossible to go beyond, as at Creech, below Durston, the water was very deep.

The damage at “Number One,” the establishment of Messrs J. SHOWERS and Co., corn merchants, at the corner of St. James's-street, is very considerable. The shop and offices were swamped and the stores at the back, close to the river, containing a large quantity of dog biscuits, sharps, bran, &c., were filled, the goods being soaked, and the greater part of them rendered useless. Mr SHOWERS has sustained at least £50 damage.

Mr J. KINGSBURY's premises in St. James's-street had three feet of water inside his premises, and damage to the extent of £20 was done to corn, &c.

Messrs J. HAMMETT and Son, coal merchants, whose yard adjoins the North-town bridge, escaped rather easily, the only serious damage they sustained being the loss of from £12 to £15 worth of salt. The offices and sheds were, of course, flooded, but the horses in the stables were easily removed.

Messrs LAWRENCE and THOMPSON, Bridge-street, moved the furniture in their front shop upstairs before the flood reached it. They had 17 inches of water inside their premises.

Messrs SALE and SPILLER, ironmongers, of Bridge-street, are losers by the flood to the extent of £150 or more. The water rushed into their premises from two directions – from the river and from Wood-street – and they had about three feet of water inside. Over two tons of nails alone were spoilt, besides large quantities of other goods. When the water began to flow out again, as the flood subsided, it was seen to have turned every conceivable colour, large pots of paint having been upset in it. The gunpowder in a shed on the other side of the lane is also spoilt.

Mr ALDER and Mr CROSSE?, furniture dealers of Bridge-street, have both been considerable sufferers by the flood. Mr ALDER calculates his loss as running close up to £200. An inspection of his premises, which cover an extensive space, reveals the devasting effects of the flood upon his stock. Furniture lies in all directions completely spoilt.

HARRIS's sweet-stuff shop in Bridge-street had several pounds' worth of sweets spoilt by the water.

Mr COLLIER, grocer, whose premises are situated at the corner of North-street, did not escape the flood, and had £15 or £20 worth of groceries destroyed.

At the coal yard of Messrs GOODLAND and Co. the water rushed in from Bridge-street and made

A CLEAN SWEEP

of 40 tons of small coal, and 30 tons of salt, into the river. The salt was in blocks in a shed, and as soon as the foundation blocks were melted, the whole pile toppled over. Messrs GOODLAND estimate that they have lost £100 worth of stock, besides which their private road will need repairing, and there are other items which will run to a considerable amount. All the books in the office were spoilt.

Messrs COLTHURST and Co., timber merchants, whose yard adjoins the river, cannot fully estimate their loss, but it is certain that it reaches into three figures. Their timber stacks are upset in all directions, and large quantities are rotted, through he amount of timber swept away is not so large as in the case at Messrs PENNY and Co.'s yard. One heavy timber raft has been lifted out of the river, and deposited high and dry on the bank. Three of Messrs COLTHURST's employes stayed in the engine shed all Friday night to keep the steam pump at work, but as the flood rose their efforts were unavailable. They entertained grave fears for their own safety, being afraid that as the water rose they would be drowned in the shed. By keeping on a raised platform they were enabled to remain out of the water, but their position, surrounded on every side by rushing waters, was anything but enviable, until daybreak showed them that the flood was going down.

The casks in the cellar of the Myrtle Tree Inn, North-town (kept by Mr FROOM?) were upset and pitched about in every direction. One large hogshead of beer, weighing several hundred-weight, was washed clean out into the back yard.

Mr WIDE, at the the Black Horse, North-town, has also suffered seriously, and the current

SWEPT AWAY A NEWLY-BUILT WALL

bounding the garden at the back of his premises.

Mr COOK, stone merchant, Station-road, has had a wall swept away, and another wall was destroyed at the premises in Station-road, which formerly belonged to Mr CULVERWELL.

IN THE STAPLEGROVE-ROAD

the houses comprising Flook-terrace, Sidney-terrace, Elms-parade, and along as far as Mr GODDING's nursery, were flooded. The waters poured through the opening leading from Staplegrove-road to the Weir meadows in a torrent which very rapidly swamped the two houses opposite – the Laurels, occupied by Mr SAMPSON, architect, and Holly Lodge, the residence of Mr CORNER?, of the firm of PRICE, CORNER, and Co. - the drawing-rooms and the whole of the ground floor being in four feet of water. The lower rooms of Mrs LOVEDAY's, at the Weirfield school, were also flooded but fortunately in this instance there was time to take up the carpets and remove the pianos, and so but slight actual damage was done. The inmates of the cottage next the Chestnuts had a disastrous experience,

THEIR BEDDING BEING SATURATED,

and everything in the house injured. In almost every house along Flook-terrace the carpets, pianos, and furniture were seriously, and in some cases irretrievably, injured. At St. Kilda's (Mr TROOD's house) the water rose as high as the tops of the tables.

The water

INUNDATED THE GAS WORKS

in Tangier and put out some of the fires in the restoris?, but fortunately, owing to the large amount of gas stored in the gasometers, the Company were able to continue the supply to their customers. The water also got into the offices, and even into the safe, causing considerable damage to the books. £100 worth of sulphate of ammonia is said to have been destroyed.

A great quantity of timber from Mr PENNY's yard got athwart the arches of the North-town bridge, and caused the water to rise to an immense height, besides putting a severe strain on the masonry. One of the police on duty on the bridge declared he felt the bridge tremble as the timber struck it, and immediately ordered the people to get to a place of safety.

About 25 tons of timber lies stranded high and dry in the Priory fields, together with a boat. Most of the timber was washed away from Mr PENNY's yard.

It is impossible to form a detailed estimate of

THE TOTAL DAMAGE

to personal and public property by the flood, but it is certain that ten thousand pounds would not place Taunton in the same position in which it was on Friday morning. In many houses valued treasures, which cannot be replaced, had been destroyed, while the injury to house property cannot be adequately realised, and it will take years to develop.

MR MINNS HAS HIS HANDS FULL.

We understand that up to 9 o'clock last evening Mr MINNS had received from various persons in the flooded districts in Taunton no less than 23 damaged pianos and 3 harmoniums for repair.

The Scene in Wood-steet.

Wood-street, Portland-street, and Greebrook-terrace, from their proximity to the river, are the principal sufferers by the flood, and were inundated longest. Mr Harris WHITE (in the employ of Messrs PENNY and Son, timber merchants), states: “When I went out into our yard during the afternoon I could see the water gradually covering the field next the river, and approaching Greenbrook- terrace, but it did not strike me that there was any serious danger. About 6.30 p.m. I went out into our yard again, and as I looked over the wall into the field, I noticed the water coming up towards Greenbrook-terrace at a rapid rate. I walked across the yard, a distance of 100 yards, into Wood-street, and in that short time the water had commenced to turn the corner of Greenbrook-terrace, and to trickle down the gutters towards Bridge-street. Hurrying into the house of a friend of mine in Wood-street, I rendered what assistance I could in pulling up the carpets, but we just had time to take up the carpet in the front room when in rushed the water. We shifted as much furniture upstairs as we could, and then I went into the kitchen.

THE CHILDREN HAD TAKEN REFUGE ON THE SOFA,

and the cats were swimming about. As nothing more could be done, everyone went upstairs. I had been inside less than a quarter of an hour, yet when I came outside again to cross the road, I had to wade nearly up to my knees. Our office is on raised ground, and we cleared away the books and papers from the lower portions, after which the flood came in. We had to be taken out of the year in a waggon. The water afterwards reached nearly four feet in the house of my friend.” Most of the inhabitants of Wood-street were not so fortunate in having warning given to them, and as a consequence hardly any of them were enabled to remove their carpets or furniture before the water was in upon them. All they could then do was to take shelter in the upstairs rooms, from the windows of which they watched the gradual submersion of the railings as the flood grew in volume. Several exciting scenes were witnessed in the street as persons in danger of drowning were rescued. Mr Henry QUICK, of the Wood-street inn, had a

NARROW ESCAPE FROM DROWNING.

He went out of his house to assist a man called HOLMAN when he was carried by the current into Station-road. He was being very rapidly taken away when the Messrs THATCHER, of the Monumental Stone Works, courageously went to his rescue. They got him out of the water and into their own house, where he stayed for the night, it being impossible for him to reach his own home again. Meanwhile the flood continued to rush down the street like a mill stream into Bridge-street, the latter being rendered impassable after half-past eight. Many woman and children were alone in the upstair room in the Wood-street houses the male members of the family, on returning from work being unable to pass the North-town bridge. The condition of these poor women was pitiable in the extreme. They had no fire, where without food, and were in darkness during the whole of the night, the only outlook being up upon the pushing waters beneath them. As if the terrors of the floods were not great enough, the cry of “Fire” was raised shortly after ten p.m. The frightened people, on looking out of the windows, beheld the sky lit up by the reflection from a large blaze, while the water below sparkled and glittered in the fierce light of the flames. Loud shrieks filled the air, everyone-imagining that the fire was upon their own premises, and as the confusion became greater several women went off into hysterics. The situation of those people living near Messrs POLLARD's timber-yards from which it was seen that the fire proceeded, was awful, as to their confused senses it seemed as if they were certain to be either drowned or burned. After a time it was seen that there was no immediate danger, but still the position was anything but enviable. At daybreak it was apparent that the water had gone down considerably, but not sufficiently to allow of people reaching the houses, and even at mid-day on Saturday the streets were not clear. As soon as possible the relief committee distributed coal to the poorer of the inhabitants to enable them to dry their houses as well as possible. At a moderate computation there is an average of £10 damage done to furniture in each house (about £150 in all) in the above-named streets, besides the damage done to the houses themselves, which is well nigh irreparable. The water left a thick deposit of dirt and mud which it will take weeks to get rid of. During Saturday, Sunday, and Monday the people were engaged in drying their furniture and effects, and the railings outside were hung with carpets and rugs, more of less sodden by the water, while sofas and chairs were placed outside to dry.

AN EYE WITNESS'S STORY.

Fire and Water seemed to Surround them.

A Man still said to have been Drowned

Mr E. GOODMAN, Yarde House, which house is situated at the end of Wood-street by Station-road, had a good view of the fire, and he gave the following graphic account of the flood and fire to our representative:- It was a fearful night. I did not think it would be so full of horrors when the water first began to rise, but, this being the third flood I have experienced in Taunton, I soon saw the danger was to be expected. When I saw the water come creeping to the end of Wood-street I expected it would be very bad, and orders were at once given to remove the furniture from the lower rooms. The neighbours were soon all busy on similar work, and no one noticed that the stream was rapidly rising until a sudden rush of water took us unawares, and whatever had not been removed or raised on chairs had to be left. A friend was with me, and he assisted in removing the furniture. When he was prepared to leave the house the water rushed in, and it was impossible for him to go, so he had to stay with us all night. From an upper room window we watched the scene. Such a scene of horrors and misery I have never seen, and hope I never shall again. The water quickly rose until it covered the iron pillars round the electric light post, and it remained at that height for over an hour. It was while watching the rushing water that we saw a man swimming on his back. He was evidently a strong man and his strokes were powerful. Yes, he must have been an expert swimmer. The current was too strong for him, and he was driven right across the road. He seemed to be dashed against the shutters of Mr PAULL's shop. The man must have been stunned for a moment, for he reeled backwards and then floundered about. He made frantic efforts to swim again but could not, and at last he disappeared under the water. I am almost positive he did not rise again. The electric light in the middle of the road and at Mr ADAMS's illuminated the road, and we could see as clearly as if it was daylight. I and my wife watched a long time to see if the poor man would rise, and he certainly did not appear again, though we have a view for fully 220 feet from where he was last seen. People say it must have been Mr QUICK we saw, who was picked up by Mr THATCHER's sons. But I don't believe it was; it was a man of very different physique, and I am still confident that the man was drowned and must have been carried off to the river. He could not have dived as far as we could see, and besides there was no necessity for him to have dived at all. I hope it was Mr QUICK, but I don't think it was. Well, shortly after this poor man disappeared we heard the cry of a youth who was

PERCHED ON THE WINDOW SILL

of the George Inn. How he got there I cannot imagine, unless he was overtaken by the water and climbed up there hoping to be out of danger. With a great deal of persuasion and the offer of a bribe I succeeded in inducing a man to go out on horseback and rescue the boy, who appeared very much exhausted when taken from the window. Shortly afterwards there was a very rapid current coming down Wood-street, and the boy would have been drowned had he not been taken away when he was, for he could not have held on to the window much longer. After that another man was seen struggling in the water, but fortunately Messrs HATCHER and Son's trap was near and the driver threw him the whip and saved him. All this time the water was rushing down the street like a roaring sea. Large pieces of timber, hampers, and barrels were being tossed about. Now and then the wood would be carried straight across the street and would be

HURLED RIGHT THROUGH ONE OF THE WINDOWS

of the shops opposite. The water had rushed with such force that the shutters of Mr PAUL's window fell one by one like a pack of cards. A dead dog also floated down the street. Some people say it was a pig, but it wasn't.

Just when the flood was at its highest there was an explosion of gas at YOUNG's which frightened everybody, then a chimney caught fire, and soon after we heard cries of fire. On looking round we could just see the flames beginning to light up the skies. When the flames were at their worst the scene was awful. I have seen many big fires in London and elsewhere, but I have never seen one that seemed to blaze so fearfully. With all its terrible and melancholy associations the scene was grand, and would make a marvellous picture. The reflection on the water deepened the colour of the muddy element into a beautiful red. The flames shot up to the skies and all around looked weird and awful. Such a sight will never escape my memory. The poor people did not appreciate the sight. They were stricken with fear. A new danger presented itself. I am not surprised that they thought the flames would spread to the cottages. It seemed as if some of the houses had really caught fire. People were screaming for assistance, and the cries that rose in every direction were most pitiable. Anyone who was in Wood-street that night can well imagine the terror of a fire at sea, for theirs was certainly a similar experience. Shortly after the fire bells began ringing a man came along with a ladder. He stumbled several times and with difficulty kept his legs. I warned him of his danger and told him to go back, but he said he was going to the fire. He, however, could not proceed, and went away. After this incident we saw a boat approaching with Captain SMITH and several firemen. Two of the men were in the water trying to pull the boat down against the stream. Then were driven back several times, and before they had gone far turned round and went back. Mr WICKENDEN had previously tried to come this way in a pony and trap. Then some men came along in breaks. Before that no one could have come down, the water had been so high that it was impossible for any man to live in it. The most efficient men were those who came along in breaks with ladders, and, I believe, rescued several women and children from the bedrooms who were too afraid of the fire to remain there alone. I heard afterwards that the women were afraid that they would be burnt in the houses. We did not go to bed that night. The damage in every house is very great, and it will probably be a long time before some of the people are able to replace all that has been destroyed. Some of the nervous are not likely to get over the shock very soon. It was an awful night. I should think the damage in my premises will be £50, and my neighbour, Dr. HOWE, has suffered more than I have.

How Two Men were Saved.

Mr THATCHER says:- My two sons had hired a trap to go a short distance for something we required. When they returned I and my wife had taken refuge in the upper part of the house, and I told them from the window not to attempt to get out of the trap, but to go straight home. As they were preparing to resume their journey, I saw the body of a man being carried on the water at the rate of ten miles an hour. He was evidently unconscious, and would undoubtedly have been drowned but for the prompt action of my sons, whose attention I at once called to the body. One of my sons got out of the trap and got the poor fellow out of the water, and they took him to their home. The man was not swimming, but was being borne away on his back by the water. Had my sons been a few minutes later he would undoubtedly have been drowned and swept away towards Priory. The man was Mr H. QUICK, of the Wood-street inn. Some time after that I saw another man struggling in the water opposite my house. Seeing his distress I cried out, “Come across and cling to the electric light post.” He did so with great difficulty. I then took a bed sheet and tied a pair of tongs to it, for the purpose of throwing it to the man. Just as I was doing that I saw a cab approaching and called out that a man was drowning. The driver threw a bag out which he seized, and he was dragged to the vehicle. We never experienced such a night. The water was all around us, men appeared to be downing, town had been nearly drowned, there was an explosion of gas next door, and the great fire was burning in the distance.” The damage at Mr THATCHER's house and works amount to about £35.

Damage ot Mr PENNY's Timber Yard.

The situation of Mr T. PENNY's timber yard rendered it particularly liable to devastations on Friday night, Mr PENNY, years ago, took precautions to construct his yard so as to prevent the overflow of the river damaging his goods, but it had never been imagined that the flood would ever be so fearful as it was on Friday. At six o'clock the rising flood was looked upon with apprehension, the men and all employed in the yard at once set to work to protect the walls and gates. The flood rose so rapidly, however, that they had to abandon the task before it was half completed. The water is stated to have come sweeping down French Weir in huge waves,

CARRYING BEFORE IT STRONG WALLS,

heavy stacks of timber, and gate-posts. The wall, almost two feet thick, that bounded the yard checked the water for a long time, but as the current gained in volume and the wall gave way, and the force of water that rushed in the yard carried huge pieces of timber weighing five and six tons a distance of ten and twenty yards. Large stacks of timber was carried bodily some distance and then fel? whilst a gate near the river, which the men had tied to heavy lumps of wood was carried away with its foundation and iron work. The yard was in an extraordinary disorderly state on Saturday. In every direction the timber lay scattered about, stacks had fallen, and logs of wood had been deposited in the most curious manner by the water, whilst a large quantity was washed into the river and carried away. Although the men had removed the goods from the floors of the offices, the water had risen higher than they expected, and nails, locks, books, cement and other goods were damaged. The damage in Mr PENNY's yard alone is estimated at £100.

The Damage in Station-road.

At Mr ADAMS' the fishmonger in North-town the destruction has been almost incalcuable. The shop was completely gutted and the contents – fish of all sorts – washed away in all directions. The current of water rushing past the side is variously estimated at 8, 9, and 10 miles an hour, and meeting another current at the back from the Black House yard formed a sort of whirlpool just at the entrance to the garden. There the flags and heavy paving stones were quickly uprooted and carried in upon the garden, whilst the action of the water created a bole just inside the gate some 6 feet deep and about 12 or 15 feet square. The garden itself is a perfect wreck. Trees, beds of plants, and spring crops are strewn all over the place, and a wall 120 feet long and 7 feet high has been entirely demolished, burrying? A number of valuable fruit trees beneath the debris. Forty bags of potatoes were submerged whilst 30 cwt. of swedes and carrots were entirely washed away. Empty barrels, hampers, baskets, broken flower pots, shrubs and other things lay in a confused heap at the far end of the garden, the whole of the surface of which has been totally denuded of its soil. Mr ADAMS is much disheartened at his loss which he estimates cannot be anything under £100. Hard by is Mr HUDDY's? shop which has also suffered severely. Though considerable damage was done in his shop much more occurred in his little warehouse in Flook Cottages close by. Some 12 cwt. sugar, and 10 cwt. soda were melted away by the water before assistance could be had to remove them. Several cheeses, cases of oranges, currants, jams, parcels of paper bags, &c., were also rendered valueless and the total loss is put down at £30 odd. Mr RISDON, North Parade, says £20 will no more than cover the loss he has sustained to flour, corn, meal, furniture, &c.,

Mr ANDERSON, the watchmaker, a little farther up the street, computes his actual present damage at £20 but says his place is so completely saturates with water that stock will continue to corrode for many months unless the greatest possible care is exercised. In this connection we regret to say that Mrs ANDERSON also sustained a serious injury to her hand through the breaking of a window sash cord, during the excitement consequent upon the inrush of water. Mr GILLETT, pawnbroker, estimates his loss at £10 though damage to pledges, wearing apparel, &c. The loss sustained by Mr PENWARDEN is far more considerable, being estimated at least at £100. Feathers, millinery, lace, woolwork, and a variety of other things shared in the general demolition whilst four feet of water worked indescribably havoc in the show-room. The damage to furniture is also considerable, and the year outside is also much damaged. Mrs PENWARDEN says that during Friday evening whilst in her upstair sitting-room she observed a man floating past her shop on his back, and calling piteously for the help which she was of course powerless to render. She believes the man was afterwards courageously rescued by some of Mr THATCHER's men. Mr JEBOULT put his loss down at between £35 and £40. The chemist's shop above, the property of Mr WELLINGTON, did not suffer quite so much as might have been expected. This, though, was on account of the promptitude of the manager, Mr. SMITH, who seeing the prospect of a wetting hastily stored the majority of stock out of reach of the water, some £5 worth only being spoiled. Mr SMITH did not, however, fare so well at his own home, 2, Portland-street, where in addition to heavy damage to furniture generally he has sustained the total loss of a pianoforte which originally cost £43. The water at his house was so turbulent that its forced its way through holes in the walls of the house and damaged the masonry. A sad case also is that of Mrs THOMPSON, 18, Station-road, grocer. Hers is a small shop standing in an isolated position and lying between the Royal Mail and Crown and Sceptre. Mrs THOMPSON is a widow advanced in years. Asked as to how she passed Friday night she graphically described, with tears in her eyes, how the wildly rushing waters dashed into her little premises simultaneously on all sides, and how her daughter, thinking to save some of the stock hurried round the counter and almost lost her life in the attempt, being carried off her legs. Though waist deep in water, she pluckily got at the gas meter, then with great difficulty retired and joined her mother upstairs. Here mother and daughter watched all night the raging element below, every moment fearing that one or other of the heavy articles brought down by the water and continually bumping against the house would bring the whole structure to ruins. First a tree, then a gate, and occasionally dead animals would come into collision with the door, almost breaking it in. Towards midnight

A LARGE DEAD HORSE FLOATED RAPIDLY BY,

and away towards the fields. On the Saturday when the water had subsided 14 inches of mud were found in the shop, and ruin stared the poor woman in the face. In undisguised modesty she calculates the damage at £30, but it is apparently heavier. The daughter is now suffering from inflammation in the legs consequent upon immersion in the icy stream. At the “Crown and Sceptre,” close by, over 4 feet of water was registered in the passage. The foundations of the whole building seem to have been affected, whilst the wall of the dairy at the back has been demolished. Barrels of spirits and bottles of lemonade became frolicsome, several of the former and some six or seven dozen of the latter finding embedded positions in the back garden. Miss JARVIS has sustained a loss of about £5 worth of music, and considerable damage to her ebony piano. Altogether the injury inflicted might be calculated at £20. The Royal Mail also suffered to the extent of about £12. The rush of water around the corner dug an immense hole close by the foundation, the cellars were inundated and several casks of ale and stout were washed into the yard at the rear. At ASHTON's Temperance Hotel the estimated damage is £15, whilst higher up the street Miss HOLLOWAY computes her loss at £20 to £25. Not being in the best of health she was unable to cope with the inrush of waters and soon furniture and eatables?, together with bacon, ham, a chest of tea, and another of coffee became a mass of floating wreckage. Mr RYDEN, the confectioner, puts his loss down at £10. Mr QUANT, who only a few weeks ago took off his present business from a former owner) has suffered considerable damage to corn, flour, meal, &c., this with the injury caused to his dining-rooms next door involves a loss of about £30?. Most of the private houses in Whitehall-terrace have also fared very badly, furniture and carpets in no case escaping the liquid and relentless foe. Mr KING, the ironmonger, is a heavy loser. The greater portion of his stock was submerged and (being principally iron and steel goods) has depreciated some 50 or 60 per cent., which will, it is estimated, involve a loss of from £60 to £70. Mr KING was an eye-witness of many thrilling incidents in connection with the flood which occurred just outside his shop. A baker's cart was nearly overturned by a floating plank becoming entangled in the wheels. A mail cart was also backed by a bewildered horse nearly into his shop window.

Mr TROOD's Obridge works were submerged to the extent of six feet. His warehouse at Bridge-street also suffered very severely, and a horse valued at £80? was only rescued as the water was coving the animal's back. Altogether Mr TROOD estimates his loss through the floods at close upon £100.

FLOOK HOUSE DOES NOT SUFFER MUCH.

Through the courtesy of Mrs SIBLEY our representative was shown over Flook House yesterday. But for the fact that the carpets are up and things on the ground floor are a little in disorder there is but trifling evidence that the flood has touched the house at all. It appears there is a small pond on the estate, by the gradually rising condition of which it was surmised that a flood was about to take place. Mrs SIBLEY had therefore placed in safety the major portion of the ground floor effects. The pianos, however, were of great weight and could not so hastily be removed, and were of course somewhat damaged by the water. The house being very capacious the whole of the young ladies were accommodated in upstairs sitting-rooms, and, far from being inconvenience, immensely enjoyed what to them appeared to be fun. It is thus satisfactory to learn that in so large an establishment such admirable arrangements exist for maintaining the health and general well-being of the inmates under such disadvantageous circumstances.

How the Poor People Fared in Tangier.

Tangier appears to have suffered about as badly as any part of the town. On every hand are scenes of destruction, nothing having escaped the ruthless torrent of Friday night.

The water

FIRST BEGAN TO RISE ABOUT TWO O'CLOCK

in the afternoon, and by five o'clock had assumed such proportions that it was considered necessary to take measures for the safety of everything of a portable nature lying about.

An hour later the whole district was converted into a veritable sea, and in a great many cases where such things as articles of furniture had not already been placed out of harm's way the occupants of houses had to take refuge in their bedrooms to save their lives, leaving their effects at the mercy of the now rapidly rising waters. What followed is perhaps better imagined than described. The majority of the people in this neighbourhood are not over blessed with this world's goods, yet in numerous cases what little they possessed was either irretrievably damaged or totally destroyed. To-day dire distress is pictured on every visage, and each tells his or her tale of woe – some of them being heartrending to listen to. In one case

A POOR OLD WIDOW NAMED ELLIS

(who for many years had just managed to keep body and soul together by working as a laundress) describes how the water first spoiled this thing, then that, she the while being unable through want of strength to save them. Clean starched clothes, underlinen, and the like, all ready to send home, shared a common fate with such little knick-knacks as ornamented her small, but neat and tidy room. In another case, a Mrs WHITE, also a widow and laundress, tells an equally pitiable story – a mangle badly damaged, chairs and tables broken, clean clothes washed away or saturated with muddy water, and books and other little things totally destroyed. Another sad case is that of Mrs OATEN, who keeps a small grocer's shop. Here without warning the water rushed in, and in a very short time bread, cakes, biscuits, tea, meat and other necessaries of existence were being lashed about in some three or four feet of water. Mrs QUICK, also a shop-keeper, in Dorset-place, suffered in a similar manner, some pounds worth of general groceries, sweets, &c., being destroyed, to say nothing of the damage to furniture, &c. Nor did the schoolroom escape the ravages of the flood. Though lying somewhat higher than other portions of the district, some 30 inches of water were registered on the inside walls, whilst forms, chairs, books, maps, and other school furniture, together with a quantity of the children's work (in preparation for the coming examinations), were hurled in all directions, and suffered great damage. Such is the state of the rooms that it is considered they cannot be used for school purposes for at least a fortnight. Mr SULLY, of 5, Castle-street, a man owning some little property in the neighbourhood, estimates the damage to his effects alone at from £30 to £40, whilst the hurt to his house property can scarcely be ascertained. A strong burly man, of seemingly an iron constitution, he rendered no small service to his poorer neighbours, and besides saving a number of sheep in an adjoining field, was instrumental in many cases in rescuing both life and property from danger. He is said to have wandered about – as well as he could, being chest deep in water -

FOR SOME SEVEN OR EIGHT HOURS

giving help where it was possible. Neither time nor space will permit, or we might prolong this sad story for many columns. A the time of writing there are still to be seen the little heaps of damaged effects, broken chairs, tables, china, sewing machines, &c., lying about outside the cottages. In no single instance has a cottage in Tangier escaped the relentless fury of the torrent, which during the whole of Friday night swept through and around it. In most houses the water was at least three feet six inches, and in many cases five feet high. The only fortunate circumstance to chronicle is that no lives were lost, though many were for a time placed in jeopardy.

INCIDENTS OF THE FLOOD.

Mr TORDIFFE, of Staplegrove, was at Dr. BONN's, n <sic> Sydney-terrace, on Friday, when the water was noticed coming up the roadway outside. He stopped for five or ten minutes to help clear the lower rooms of their furniture, and on going outside to endeavour to reach his home he found that so rapid had been the rise of the water that it was considerably over knee-deep. Mr TORDIFFE struggled on, but by the time he reached Weirfield corner he was breast-high in the flood, and it was with the greatest difficulty that he was enabled to get through.

On Saturday morning one of Mr PENNY's clerks attempted to cross the water in Wood-street by means of a couple of chairs, to convey some coal to a family who were in an upstair room, and could not get at their coal-cellar. When he was nearly across the street, one of the chairs slipped on the kerbstone, and he fell in, getting wet through, though he managed to save the greater part of the coal.

A boy named STEVENS, who tried to reach his grandfather's house in Wood-street, was nearly swept away. There is every probability that he would have been drowned had not some men rushed out of a house into the water, and pulled him inside.

In one instance the force of the water was so great that wooden block weighing over a ton was turned over one its side, and it took several men to restore it to its proper position.

In Messrs COLTHURST's yard a hole opening up into the main sewer of the town was laid bare.

A large raft was carried from the Corporation bathing place at French Weir, right under North-town bridge and down the river to the locks beyond Priory bridge.

A man living in the flooded district was terribly alarmed at the rapid rise of the water, as his wife, who was at home, was paralysed, and unable to help herself. At great personal risk he managed to wade through the flood and reached his residence in safety.

Two ladies tried to reach their home in a cab, and on arriving there were unable to get out and had to return.

On Friday afternoon a drover named COATES left thirty or forty sheep in the Priory field adjoining the lane leading to St. James's-street. About nine o'clock on Friday night, when the floods had risen, six young men when down to rescue the sheep. The found the animals huddled on rising ground against the hedge bounding the lane, and with difficulty the hedge was broken down, and the sheep taken away.

One Wood-street family, when the water invaded their house, seized a kettle half-full of water, some tea and some milk, but had to go upstairs before they could get any eatables. As they had a little coal upstairs they managed to make some tea in the kettle and drank it out of the mantlepiece ornaments. Until just before midday on Saturday, however, they were unable to get anything to eat.

Frank TEMPLEMAN (aged 14) of East-reach, was driving a friend out to Monkton, and when he got past Prior's Wood found he could get no further. The pony sank into a ditch and the water was rushing into the trap, but the animal managed to keep its head above water until, with the assistance of some men in the employ of Mr FOSTER, farmer, it was dragged to a place of safety.

In one town in West Somerset the local branch of the bank was flooded, and the next day the curious spectacle was afforded of bank notes being dried in the back yard.

A Special Correspondent's Account.

A special correspondent sent down from London by the Daily News, in the course of a lengthy article, writes as follows:-

Pursuing our journey from Bristol by a slow train in the afternoon, we for a time lost sight of water, and found a clear line at parts where on Friday night the train ploughed its way through water a foot deep. By-and-by the now familiar lakes usurping the domains of the grazier and agriculturist appeared on this side or that, or on both sides simultaneously. Further than the partial demolition of an occasional haystack, no great injury has been sustained in these parts. Flocks of seagulls and rooks wheeled about in the sun, settling eventually upon the mounds above the flood or upon its fast retiring margins. Near Weston-super-Mare the water was still so high that while to the left a carrier's cart was slowly moving up the road axle-deep in water, to the right a boy was punting amongst his father's currant bushes in a washing tub, little recking? of the disgusting deposit of slime that will be left in the cottage, or of the unhealthy damp which always lingers as the unwelcome legacy of an inundation. After such scenes as those which passed under our review at Bath and Bristol we all, probably, were prone to forget the loss, the trouble, the risk caused by a flood like this in thousands of households; and at Bristol I know benevolent persons, foreseeing this, were commendably busy yesterday in searching out and relieving distress. The river Brue, which courses through fat pasture from far beyond Glastonbury, had, as I perceived in passing the junction at which the Birmingham passengers alight, behaved tolerably well, but the levels beyond were of water, and not as they should be of grass. At Bridgwater, too, I found the Parret reasonably within bounds, but the train stopped there. How long the traffic to Taunton and beyond would be delayed no one knew. When the next train would start was not fixed, and those of us who were bound to go to Taunton had to drive the journey along the excellent coach road of between eleven and twelve miles. The railway line – half-way between the two towns – is very liable to be submerged, and the trains often run through the water. On Friday, however, it rose so high that if the attempt had been made the fires of the locomotives would have been put out.

At Taunton the flood had risen with really alarming rapidity on Friday evening, compelling the families inhabiting several houses to scamper for their lives. It was feared until the middle of yesterday that three young men were drowned, but the police inform me that though here and there property had been destroyed there has been no loss of human life. It was a night of horrors for the good people of Taunton. While the flood was raging almost at its highest a fire broke out in a timber yard upon the ground situated on the banks of the river Tone, and the quick leaping flames threw their awful glare upon the apparently limitless expanse of waters. The flood, in fact, prevented the necessary assistance from being rendered, and the fire literally raged until the destruction of the timber was complete. When at length a few men pushed through the water towards the blazing pile, the heat was so intense that they were beaten back. A week since there was a destructive fire in Taunton through a defective supply of water. Now a similar effect has been produced by a contrary cause. The flood here lasted in its highly dangerous form for about five hours, and it has run down so swiftly that the inhabitants who are going over the scene to-day can scarcely believe that the clean dry streets along which they walk were roaring torrents on Friday night. About ten o'clock the flooded district extended from the bridge northwards, and its worst position was North-town, Station-road, Wood-street, and Bridge-street. Taunton, like Bath, is environed, though at a greater distance, by a rampart of hills, and the snow of six days ago rested liberally upon the Quantock hills to the north and Blackdown hills to the south. The river Tone is continually in receipt of tributary overflows, and this in not by any means the first time that Taunton has been flooded by it. The river rose gradually with the rainfall of Thursday, and on Friday evening it was bank full. Suddenly the overflow rushed <i>nto the town from two directions, the impetuosity being <r>eally due to the bursting of the banks in Weir fields. Within two house the united streams from the two points of overflow had laid the town under water, rendered the approach to the station impassable by the tallest waggons, and filled street upon street of houses with water to a depth of five feet. The current racing down Wood-street was so strong that a pair of sturdy draught horses in a waggon bound against stream on a mission of rescue were carried off their legs and drifted back with the vehicle to which they were harnessed to the causeway from which they had started. Fortunately by this time similar ventures had been successful, and numbers of people had been rescued by vehicles drawn under rather than through the water by horses, that in one or two cases took to swimming. Taunton is well lighted by electricity, and the inhabitants reaped the advantage in so dire a dilemma as that of Friday. In North-town a postman persevered in his round, but was eventually forced to clasp one of the electric light posts to save himself from the strength of the flood galloping down one of the large thoroughfares. He was nearly exhausted by holding on when the driver of an hotel 'bus floundering its way from the station heard his cries for help, and got near enough to throw him a sack by which to haul him up to the vehicle. After much trouble this was effected. There were many narrow escapes of this description, men finding themselves in jeopardy from the strength rather than the depth of the current. One man shouting for help was being washed amidst whirling planks and odds and ends of timber down Wood-street, and was rescued after sinking once by a whip thong cast towards him from a van. At one time between eight and nine o'clock, the water is calculated to have been sweeping down this narrow street at the rate of at least eight miles an hours. The marks left register a depth of nearly six feet. The omnibuses made their wonted <sic> journeys to the railway station until the passengers were reduced to standing on the seats and the vehicles began to sway with the current. The service was then abandoned. Soon after midnight the flood showed substantial signs of abating, and the peace of mind of many poor people was restored. By yesterday morning they returned to their homes or descended to floors from which they had been ejected. On the wharf below the bridge and at the

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