Sheffield Flood
Rotherham
«ReturnA rise in the river at Rotherham was noticed first by a mail cart driver about 2 o'clock. He alerted a policeman who immediately alerted nearby residents. The occupants of houses in Bridgegate and the surrounding area were moved to a higher part of the town.
In only a few minutes, trees, broken off by their roots, every description of household furniture, pigs, massive beams, iron work, carts came floating down the river.
At once the people commenced dragging out of the river what could be reached while others obtained boats and towed to land the larger fragments of wreck drifting down the middle.
The body of a woman, about 40 years of age, dressed in her night gown was got out near the Flax Mill and moved to the Angel Inn in Bridgegate. Two other bodies, one of a man and the other of a girl were got out near Jordan meadows.
By Tuesday there were 56 bodies not identified in Sheffield, Rotherham and the neighbourhood. 13 of these were in the care of police at Rotherham and Kilnhurst and were buried that day in a special section of the General Cemetery.
Public Meeting
A public meeting was held at Rotherham, called by Mr. J. Badger, Greave of the Feoffes. He outlined the suffering which the flood had caused. Rev. R. Moseley, vicar of Rotherham, moved and Rev. Vaughan, Independent, seconded a resolution expressive of sympathy with the sufferers and recommended a subscription to help them. Mr. Chrimes said he had visited the scene of the disaster and it was impossible to conceive the devastation.
Mr. Badger announced that several had been unable to attend but had sent contributions: Mr. Owen proprietor of the Phoenix Works, £100; Mr. Tillotson of Aston Hall, £50. Rev. Ross promised to make a collection at the Rawmarsh Church. Mr. Phillips announced that the boys of Rotherham Grammar School had promised to subscribe £6 6s.
Several other subscriptions were announced and it was stated that several manufactories of Rotherham, working men's subscriptions were to be commenced.
The amount subscribed at the meeting was about £850. Mr. Geo. Haywood, Mr. Benjamin Dyson and Mr. Wilson Waterfall were appointers treasurers. » »
