Sheffield Flood
At Doncaster, Mexborough & Swinton
«Return14th March, 1864
The inundation throughout the entire valley of the river Don has been unprecedented; and not even the great flood of 1857 was so prolific of damage as this has been. The Don, owing to late heavy rains, was unusually high, and the additional water thrown into it by the Sheffield calamity has laid hundreds upon hundreds of acres under water, and inflicted incalculable injury to the growing crops.
Information of the disaster was early telegraphed to this town, and by the direction of Mr. Superintendent Gregory, of the borough police force, intimation was at once given to the inhabitants of Marshgate, and a district of Doncaster contiguous to the Don, and in flood times under water.
Speedy steps to ensure safety were taken, but at no time did the water rise so high as to place human life in jeopardy. About 8 o'clock the water had risen so quickly that Crimpsall, behind the Great Northern Railway station, was covered, and with high water at Keadby at 10 o'clock it was feared that the water would spread, to the great danger of property. Between 9 and 10 o'clock the flood had reached its highest point; and the rapidity which marked its rise characterized its fall.
By half past 10 o'clock it had subsided about 28in.; it increased afterwards, although it did not attain its former height. Of the destructive character of the flood there were abundant evidences on every hand; Timber in large quantities, bedposts, feather beds, tables, clocks, and various kinds of household furniture passed down, and several carcases of cattle also.
About 11 o'clock the body of a middle-aged woman was taken out of Crimpsall. It had no other clothing upon it than a nightdress, and judging by the rings upon the fingers, she must have been in easy circumstances. The body was removed to the New River Tavern.
At Mexbrough, about seven miles up the river from this town, the bodies of a man, a woman, and a child apparently about two years of age, were taken out; and at Swinton (Kilnhurst), about a mile still further up, three other bodies were recovered.
Large numbers of people have lined the river's banks all the day, but it is now evident that the greatest volume of water has passed by, and further damage here is not apprehended. The water is very thickly impregnated with mud,- a proof that it must have swept with terrific violence over the land adjoining the river. Fish, pike in particular, have been left in large quantities on land from which the water has subsided. » »
