News: 1843 Delaware County Flood: Delaware Co., PA

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August 11, 1843
DELAWARE COUNTY REPUBLICAN

News
GREAT FLOOD, - TORNADO, - DESTRUCTION OF LIFE AND PROPERTY IN
DELAWARE COUNTY. Our county was visited on Saturday evening
last, by the most destructive and afflicting storm that was
ever known. It rained for several hours most tremendously, and
although a rise in the creeks might have been expected, a
flood could not be apprehended. - In the upper sections of the
county, the rain was accompanied by a tornado, which leveled
to the earth, the largest trees, tore away fences, and
scattered everything within its range. The small streams were
swollen immediately, and horses drowned in attempting to pass
them. At about six o, in the evening, the several creeks
in the county, rose to an unprecedented height, and the waters
rushed with an impetuosity that knew no restraint, onward to
the Delaware, carrying everything before it. Houses, vessels,
machinery, timber, boats, dams, mills, factories, bridges,
stacks of hay, trees, carriages, carts, furniture, in fact
everything gave way before the mighty torrent. The water rose
in this borough in about one hour, twenty three feet - the
rise was greater on the several creeks, higher up the stream.

We will instance as many particulars of the loss by this great
flood, as our limited means will allow, as we are almost
entirely cut off from information for many parts of our
county, by reason of the destruction of bridges:

The lumber Yard of Mr. William Eyre, Jr. together with his
wharf on Chester creek, was swept off and entirely destroyed. Loss
$2000.

The coal (about 150 tons) of Messrs, J.P. & W. Eyre,
Jr. was swept away and is a total loss. The Store House of the
Messrs. Eyre, has also suffered very materially, and the
goods swept out of it. Their loss cannot be less than $2500.

The stable and sheds belonging to Mrs. Engle, are destroyed.
Loss $500.

The stone kitchen of Mr. Kerlin, with other out
buildings, and the portico of his mansion house was carried
off and are entirely lost, and with the damage done to the
meadow of Mr. Kerlin, and the loss of a tenant house, he has
sustained injury to the amount of $5000. Mr. William Benton,
who occupied the tenant house, a poor but industrious man,
lost all that he possessed in this flood, except the clothes
which covered his back at the time.

The Tan Yard of Mr. William Brobson, is entirely lost. His loss
is $5000.

A large amount of goods in the store house and cellars
of Mr. Jesse M. Eyre, were covered with water and destroyed. His
loss must exceed $1500.

The Pattern Shop of Mr. Jacob G. Kitts, wascarried away by the
flood, and patterns worth over $5000, lost.

The wharves belonging to the heirs of Mr. Hart, and to
the heirs of Mr. Ephraim Pearson, were swept away. Loss $300.
The stable and slaughter house of Mrs. Mary Richards, were
carried off and lodged in the street some distance below, in a
ruined condition.

The cellars of Mr. Deshong, Mrs. Eyre, Mr. RULON, Mr. Long,
Mr. Ladomus, and many others, were filled and much property injured
and destroyed.

One of the piers belonging to the United States, has been very much injured,
the large coping stone on the>western side being displaced and
the earth much washed. It will requie an outlay of $300 to
repair the pier.

The railroad bridge over Chester creek, and a portion of the
embankment, was washed away. Loss $5000.

The old chain bridge over Chester creek, the western abutment and
a considerable portion of the road, were swept away by the
flood. Damage $4000.

Fences, gardens, furniture, goods, and a vast quantity of property,
other than the above, has been destroyed.