FURTHER DISASTERS.

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

FURTHER DISASTERS.

Lynn, Thursday 15th, As would be gathered from the report in 7A« of to-day, an attempt was made to form a harrier to the tidal waters at St. Mary's-bridge, the first bi% above (not below) the site of the destroyed siace. Ponderous piles, averaging 45 feet in length ad 0 f proportionate thickness, were driven deep into the clayey soil of the drain, in front of the bridge on tie side facing the sea. The other side of the bridge * u fortified by other piles and by two massive "stores" The stability of the work, it was thus hoped, wai secured, and it was intended, after driving down a double row of piles, to sink barges and bags of day . and so to form a permanent dam, until the sloice could * be rebuilt It was thought that the engineers had at last hit upon a practical plan of defence, and more security was felt in the district than since the sluice burst. These hopeful anticipations, however, hare all been falsified. The tide last night, came np with even greater violence than on the previous night, and the obstructions which had already been placed in the stream having impeded the reflux it rose to a still greater height. One of the sunken barges which had been used in the construction of the abortive dam lower down the stream was raised by the tide and carried with irresistible force against the bridge and dam. Some of the piles were broken, and the bridge trai swept away. To-day all is inaction and blank dismay. Those in charge of the works await further instructions from London, where the commissioners are still detained by Parliamentary business. It is almost seedless to add that the extent of damage and the area of land inundated by the tides are being increased almost tenfold in the meantime. It is pitiable to look npon the vast expanse of water where a week ago flourishing crops and rich pasture lands were to be seen, and to think that one master mind, or one clear practical head to govern and direct the efforts which thus Jar have ail been fruitlessly employed, could have prevented this terrible and disastrous destruction. To right's and to-morrow's tides will be higher still, and the results even more lamentable.