GREAT FLOODS IN MELBOURNE

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 148, 18 March 1919, Page 6

GREAT FLOODS IN MELBOURNE

" ; APPALLING DAMAGE DONE

WHOLE SUBURB UNDER WATER '

IJcccnt cablo messages gavo but a faint idea of the effect of the cloudburst over Melbourne on March 5. The Melbourno "Age," in its reports, gives details of the disastrous nature of tho phenomenal downpour, which involved not only great loss of property but also loss of life.

In Footscray (says the "Age") the flood waters descended through the streets unci swept through tho houses with dramatic suddenness, During Tuesday the rain had fallen steadily and heavily, and although the low-lying areas were slightly inundated, no fear was held that floods would follow. But about 1 a.m. yesterday, according to the evidenco of residents, tho rain increased in intensity. Blown 'alone; by the gale until it'resembled a slicet of- water, the rain fell with torrential violence for oyer an hour. Then the iioou waters began to encroach on tho outskirts of the town. In fifteen minutes the roadways—the 'gutters had been running a banker for some hours—were covered, and tho land on both sides of the railway lino was filled with a swirling mass of clay-coloured water. By 2.30 a.m. the floods were considerably augmented in volume, and the water was racing down the grade towards the Saltwater River. So strong was the current that the rush of water could not be stayed; obstacles in the course, such as trees and fences, were levelled to the ground. Poor Drainage System. i Singularly enough, the flood waters, in gravitating towards the natural outlet of the river, followed the course of the main drain through the city. Tho drain —a brick and concrete channel over G feet in diameter—commences nf.ar ijie military remount depot at Maribyrnong, and takes the drainage' fronr the districts of Sunshine, Braybrook, portion of Werribeeshire, as well as the city of Footscray and the immediate surrounding country. This underground drain, after passing through the outskirts of Footscray and crossing underneath the railway line through an open 6ubway, again takes a subterranean passage to Albert Street, and thence onwards to tho river. Along this course the flood waters came in in a turbulent torrent, until it was feared that tho brick and concrete drain had given way under the strain. The drain, however, remained intact, but it proved totally inadequate to cope with the mass of water. So the flood waters, rising rapidly and spreading strongly, reached the surface, and near tho open entrance at the railway tracks burst the stone coping and scattered through the town. Appalling damage was caused at Albert Street, near the bridge, under whhh the drain runs. There the terrific fi'rce of rushing waters tore the asphalt' footpaths asunder, flung the heavy blocks along the roadway and burst over tho iron stone bridge, Eye-witnesses state that the substantial brick parapet on the bridge quickly gave away ;n the avalanche of water which gained fresh impetus owing to the fact that the bridge is on lower ground than the railway line a hundred yards away. The main body of water passed this spot about 2 a.m., destroying and levelling everything in the way.- Huge pieces of metal, many of which, it is estimated, were over a ton in weight, were hurled clear of the bridge and down to the bed of the drain. A striking illustration of the immense water power was revealed yesterday tirrning when it was perceived that ureal; ragged holes, varying in depth fiom 8 to 12 feet, had been excavated in the roadway. Street metalling and tho so'id foundation blocks of Milestone stronuiy cemented had been washed clear en to a vacant piece of adjacent land.

The. railway embankment, some feet abovo the level of the roadway, resisted tho encroaching water for some time, but when the capacity of the drain was overtaxed, the waters rushed out of the stono channel with a furious force and flooded the line for some distance. Scott's foundry—a commodious iron building in Kaleigh 'Street—suffered severely. The water flooded the whole premises, and completely enveloped the machinery up to a height of 6ii feet. A motor-car which was stored in the foundry was covered by the water. Yesterday morningi employees were unable to work owing to the dapinee, which, it is calculated, will run into hundreds of pounds. Other places affected in this vicinity included Campbell's wine cellars, the main cellar, containing stock valued at nearly ,£6OO, being nearly filled with water. House Sweat Across the Street. The cyclonic fury of the storm waters found vent in West Footseray, and particularly in .Swan Street. One house was flung bodily across the footpatli on to the opposite side of the roadway. According to the story of spectators, the water was beating against the house— a three-roomed wooden structure—with' furious'force. Suddenly the foundations gave way, the brick . chimney toppled over, and,-swaying in the maelstrom of rushing waters, the house was deposited on the other side of the street.

Material damage was caused in many other parts of the oistrict. In Hyde Street—a newly-tarred road—the metal was torn and scattered about, while a hole twelve feet deep was hewn out nenr tho section under which the drain passes. Along tho north side ten houses were flooded, while other premises were severely damaged. Near the Black-Arch foundation, blocks were torn up, while towards the river flats the water reached the ceiling, and the predicament of the residents was tinged with peril. In Buckley 1 Street, whwo a new tram lino is being laid down, the rails and sleepers were lifted from the bed of the track and scattered along the roadway. Doherty's bakery was washed out from end to end, nmlji biVstock of flour was considerably damaged.

But for the prudent warning given by tho police, the visitation of the floods would undoubtedly have taken toll of human life. A strong force of police and bands of willing workers, however, spread the alarm and assisted many of the residents to places of safety. Fatality at Footscray. During yesterday noniing (March 5), a fatal accident occurred at Stony Creek, Footscray. Alfred Luizzi, 30. milk ven<for, residing at Blackshaw's Road, Newport, being swept away in his cart by the flood waters and drowned. Deceased, who was a married man with three children, left his home at 4.J5 n.m. to serve his round of customers in West Footscray. At about 7 a.m. tlm hnrdo and cart were found in Stony Oeek, about 500 vards below tho new' Williamstown Road bridge, near the railway line, the horse being dead, and after a search the body of deceased was found about 100 vards from the bridge nn the bank of the creek, where it had been left 'bv the receding flood waters. Early in the morning the water was running right oyer the bridse—<i spectacle never previously witnessed, .and it is sunposcd that in an attempt to cross the "structure the turnout was swept into (he creek. Record HalnfalN Duriiiß the 2-1 hours ended at 0 a.m. on March 5, the lainfall recorded in Melbourne was .'1.55 inclies-the heaviest fall ever recorded in the Victorian metropolis.