THE GREAT FLOOD IN THE FENS.

New Zealander, Volume XVIII, Issue 1714, 13 August 1862, Page 4

THE GREAT FLOOD IN THE FENS.

[From the " Times," May 14-J The hill-country public, accustomed only to occasional overflows of brooks and the winter flooding of river-margin meadows, can have no idea of the dismay and consternation which have fallen upon a large portion of the Fen population, through the disaster to the middle level sluice. The great plain of peat fens and marine marshes, stretching 70 miles from Lincoln almost to Cambridge, with an area of nearly 700,000 acres, lies so low and horizontal that its sr—face is beneath the level of the sea at high water, though above the datum line of low water mark. On the map it appears like an enlargement of the great bay of the Wash ; and a shallow inland bay it would be if the ocean were not held out by massive barrier banks. The Ousc, Nene, and other large rivers, bringing down the drainage of an upland tract five times larger than the Fen plain itself, have reached the sea level when they enter this district, and arc conducted across it (a distance of 20 to 35 miles) between lofty embankments, which give the surface of the sluggish streams a fall of some few inches per mile. The downfall or drainwatcr of the flat land is collected and carried to the seaward channels and estuaries in artificial cuts, 1 issuing through sluices having valve-doors, which exclude the rising tide, but open when this has fallen below the head of drain-water inside. So that (excepting a few insular high lands) the whole of this immense district of rich land in the highest sate of cultivation, with its crops, flocks, herds, its farmyards, innumerable villages, and thickly-peopled towns.exists upon the ability of its banks to" withstand the hydrostatic pressure of high-rising fresh waters and the assault of stormy spring tides, and also upon the security of the capacious sluices which pour out its drainage into the large and tidal rivers. In the present accident of the bursting of an important sluice the consequences are already extensive and alarming, and the danger of most widespread ruin is becoming painfully apparent. The site of the sluice is four miles south of Lynn, at the junction of the middle level main drain with the broad and deep Ouso ; and this drain is a straight cut from the sluice 11 miles in a southwestern direction to the district of the middle level, 140,000 acres in extent, of which it is the main artery and outfall. But the tract of country flanking the cut for 11 miles above the sluice does not drain through the cut, having outfalls of its own into the Ouse, and this neutral district is at present the greatest sufferer. Three to four miles from the destroyed sluice, the west bank of the cut gave way, precipitating the rapidly inflowing tide upon the fen land ; and, though some of the minor holes were cleverly " taken," or stopped up with sacks of earth, the main breach continues open, being on Tuesday 40 yards in width. Such is the volume of water poured through this gap that on Tuesday night the extent of ground inundated was estimated at 15,000 acres, and two tides since then have probably spread the deluge over 20,000 acres. The districts at present flooded are " Marshland Fen, " the Smeath," " Broad and Short Fens," and parts of "Magdalen Fen" and"Bardolph Fen." Farmyards aro full of water, the straw floating about; baras have been hastily cleared of grain, and, where possible, ricks of wheat and beans are being carted to the higher spots of ground about the " Marshlands" villages. Here also the sheep and cattle from the threatened or drowned fens have been collected. Cottagers have been driven at short notice from their homes, some moving their downstairs furniture into the chambers ; others being able to carry off most part of their moveables in carts, and house after house is to be seen with waves lapping at the brick wall and wetting the door-handles, while hedge tops denote the site of the garden and its submerged vegetables. Where the flood is deepest the rows of pollard, willow, or thorn bushes and the top bars of gates indicate where enclosures of cropping lie; and on the outskits of the bright sheet of water you sec fine wheat crops with their rank green flags, forward peas and beans, ridges whero the potatoes are but lately planted, fallows half prepared for mangold and turnip sowing,—over all of which the water is stealthily creeping and killing all with its deep irrigation of brine. The loss of property it is impossible to calculate,—perhaps £6 to £lO an acre for the cropping, now totally destroyed ; but who can value the whole damage, except by saying that scores of farmers have had suddenly swept away every vestige of vegetable produce on their farms, and of course have all the year's expenses to meet with no haytime and no harvest. The greater portion of occupiers of tho flooded fields have other land not likely to be reached by the salt deluge ; but nevertheless it is probable that the greatness of the destruction will ruin hundreds of families. That tho breach will not be closoil for sotuo timo jj probable, because it

operates"as a safety-valve, .relieving, toe incoming tides, and, by thus diminishing the rmJ® preventing more destructive breaches of the m? 6 * bank and farther inland. Piles are being drirZr 151 the first bridge above the sluice, with a ViS* checking the inflow of the tide and forming a a * but when the cut has been thus stopped up itwuvli be the tidal enemy that has been set at bay <£i ' Marshland fens, having outfalls and steam-engin^3 their own, will soon bale out the present flood ■ b« j* cut is the means of egress for the middle levelTwaters far inland to the dried Whittlesea Mere smT foot of the Huntingdonshire hills; and in a»t season the delay unavoidable in securing a drain pro tern, will slowly, bat not the less surely, sweflT quantity of water in main drains and ditches and ««t and then overspread the magnificent crops now t>Jr forward and almost spindling for the ear. T&! building of the sluice at a cost of some £4O 000 fa*" insignificant item in comparison with the 'prodte!? sums that will be sacrificed in case a wet time b2 now ensue. In the year 1841 the inner portions oft), middle level were flooded owing to imperfect dninj? the damage sustained exceeding £150,000 • Acts of Parliament of 1844 and 1848 £450,0001 raised by taxation of the lands for executing the nresin 5 cut, erecting the sluice, and remodelling system of drainage. The results were so satisfacw in giving many localities a drainage by natural Mi' lieu of costly steam and fitful windmill drainaee. k lowering the head of water against which the few m I necessary wheels had to throw, and in M Whittlesea Mere, that the old lines of drain haveW neglected, the old main arteries arc much chocked m and it is now a difficult question by what meam th immense body of drain-water in the" 140,000 acres Uk be discharged while the sluice is being rebuilt. I tt JJ case it seems necessary to erect very powerful sieim pumps or wheels ; and woe be to the middle 2 population if a cloudy summer should sympathize wi* their woes by undue weeping. The fen districts, which are now under water, have no claim upon the middu level for redress ; and the latter will with little less severity; and whether or not any charm of dilatoriness or unskilfalaess may be brought taS those who had the watching and repairing of the sink* the existing and prospective distress of this h2 visitation is extensive and profound enough to receive a share of public sympathy.