History of Flooding of the Rivers Don and Sheaf
The distance between the mouth of the Don in conjunction with the Ouse, and its source, in the moors above Thurlstone, measured in a direct line, is about forty miles ; while the actual length from the former to the latter point, cannot be less than seventy miles. From this statement, it will be inferred that it pursues either a very circuitous or a very flexuous route — and in fact it does both : a line drawn in the direction first intimated, would pass through Silkstone, which place is about thirteen miles from Sheffield, the most southerly deflexion of the river : the amount of the smaller tortuosities on its line can only be conceived of by an inspection of the Map, or by an actual traversing of the banks.
Such numerous deviations from a strait course, in the current of a river so liable to be suddenly swollen with any considerable fall of rain on the hills west of Sheffield, renders the occurrence of injurious floods comparatively frequent. Of these casualties, various records have been preserved. Not to mention earlier or inconsiderable overflows. In 1755, and again in 1768, we have notices of great floods ; the former washed away several bridges ; in the latter year the torrent of the Sheaf, was so impetuous at the place of its junction with the Don at Sheffield, that it carried down the houses forming the north side of Talbot's Hospital, and drowned five of the pensioners. This occurred in the month of November. But the former was a Summer flood, and committed its ravages on the 5th of August, and on the 17th of the corresponding month, 42 years afterward, both the rivers were swelled to an " amazing height."
By a still more remarkable coincidence of dates, on the 17th of August, 1799, the Don and Sheaf again overflowed their banks, inundating houses, and doing considerable damage to corn fields in their course.
One of the highest floods probably ever remembered at the time, was that of the 16th of January, 1806; though that was more than equalled by the one of July, 1834. On both these occasions, the level space between the Bridgehouses and the Wicker, in the northern suburb of Sheffield, was completely laid under water ; in the latter instance, the tops of the posts carrying the " white rails" along the river side, being only just visible.
In Rotherham, the lower parts of the town were, in like manner, flooded, and so unexpected and sudden was the inundation, that happening as it did during the night, many persons, who had retired to rest in small dwellings situate in low situations, were with difficulty aroused to a sense of their peril, and rescued from the water.
Source:The tour of the Don by John Holland, Published 1837
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