The Courier (Brisbane, Qld. : 1861 - 1864)(about) |
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Thursday 12 March 1863
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9 corrections, most recently by anonymous - Show corrections
THE FLOODS IN THE CLARENCE
AND RICHMOND DISTRICTS.
The Clarence and Richmond Examiner,
Of tho 24th ultimo, gives a distressing ac- count of the great calamity which has be- fallen tho Clarence district by the recent floods. The loss of property cannot be esti- mated ; the loss of life is "probably more than is yet accurately discovered." The river at Grafton rose twenty-four feet above high-water mark - the highest flood in the memory of the while settler. Here is an ac- count of the loss of nine lives :-
"Tabulam appears to have suffered most severely. By a messenger who arrived at Grafton on Friday, we ascertain the melan- choly loss of four lives there, via, district constable Foy, William May, George May, and William Sloman; the water made a sud- den rush on Saturday, which carried away seven loaded drays with their teams, of which the Mays and Sloman were in charge, drown- ing the unfortunate men and destroying the property. Mr. D. McLcean swam with Gra- ham's boy on his back for half-a-mile. He and another, who were above Tabulam, rode down and warned these parties of their danger and cautioned them to seek safe quarters, but the warning was neglected. The post-office at Tabulam, and all the letters for the Clarence, were carried away. The water rose six feet up Currabubula, four foot over Mr. Chauvel's paddock, and several feet at his residence; one foot over Mr. Jordan's house, and four feet over Mr. McLean's. The cattle had to be turned loose, and many were lost. Con- stable Foy, who appears to have been much respected, had previously removed his wife and family to Mr. Jordan's, and returned to the court-house. Young Jordan afterwards made an attempt to assist him, but failed. Foy appears to have perfectly made up his mind to be lost, and to have met his fate with much firmness. He stated that he could not swim, and he knew nothing could save him. For half an hour before he was swept away he was seen on his knees as if praying, and although within speaking dis- tance of those on the bank never exchanged a word with them. He was washed away from the top of his house. He leaves a wife and six children, and the wife at the present time is near her confinement. The body was recovered on Sunday, by an aboriginal, not more than twenty yards from where the house stood. The whole court-house, constable's residence, and lock-up are destroyed. In Foy's pockets were found a bill of exchange for £25, payable at the Joint Stock Bank, Grafton, with some notes and silver. The bodies of the three draymen (father, son, and brother in-law) were seen floating near each other past Yulgilbar about 3 p.m. on Sun- day. Messrs. O'Keefe, Lyons, and two others were rescued by young Jordans (two) and Mr. McLean, whose exertions wore un- remitting. They swam to several persons who had been twenty four hours clinging to trees, and by means of ropes brought them to places of safely. Several lives were saved by them in this manner. The follow- ing is a list of persons - lost through the flood:Constablo Foy, Tabulam ; William May, Tabulam; George May, Tabulam ; William Sloman, Tabulam; Valentino Kempnish. Alumny Creek, near Grafton ; William Kirk, whilst' attempting to cross Ducck's River, on the Armidale road; Francis Bunnan, whilst attempting to swim a creek at Waterview, near South Grafton; Mrs. Baker, Carr's Creek, through being compelled to be removed when in a very delicate state of health. Mr. James Donaldson is missing, supposed to have been drowned in attempt- ing to cross the Nymboida river-"
Tho Casino correspondent of the same journal writes as follows with reference to the flood at the Richmond :We have been visited by the largest flood ever witnessed by white man. It was always said by the old residents of the Richmond, that no fresh would over overflow the banks at Casino. The fact of the river having a descent of about forty feet in a mile was almost suffi- cient proof. But on Sunday morning, the l5th, it had every appearance of driving the inhabitants to the ridges, when about five o'clock it ceased rising, to the great joy of those who lived near the bank. The water rose at a rapid rate -the last twelve hours two feet an hour. lt rose at Casino forty five feet above its usual height, and wanted about five to overflow the banks. I believe that this is ten or twelve feet higher than the largest ever seen. I believe there was not a great deal of damage done to the free selectors, as the banks are pretty high where they selected.