CALIFORNIA. THE FLOOD AT SACRAMENTO! IMMENSE DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY !! DESTITUTE CONDITION OF THE INHABITANTS !!! [From the Alta California, January 19.]

New Zealand Spectator and Cook's Strait Guardian, Volume VI, Issue 490, 13 April 1850, Page 3

CALIFORNIA. THE FLOOD AT SACRAMENTO! IMMENSE DESTRUCTION OF PROPERTY ! ! DESTITUTE CONDITION OF THE INHABITANTS ! ! ! [From the Alta California, January 19.]

The deplorable catastrophe which has befallen the thriving and populous city of Sacramento, now completely submerged by the waters of the river of that name, can but excite our liveliest sympathies, and we hasten to place the fullest particulars before the public in the shape of an Extra. We have been kindly furnished by a friend with a most graphic account of the flood, containing the most interesting particulars. We are compelled to take many liberties with the early portion of his description, in order to place the more important parts before the public rt the earliest possible moment. Sacramento Ciy, Jan. 10, 1850. This will be a day never to b; forgotten by the residents of Sacramento City as a dty that

awoke their feats for the safety of their city against the dangers of a flood long since prophesied. • * » * • I was awakened early on the following morning (the llih) hy the shouting and noise from without ; I rose and dressed, and went out upon the verandah of the Sutter House, (where I had taken a room) and here I had a clear view of the dangers to be apprehended. Before me, along the entire length of the levee, I saw with certainty the beginning of the flood. Long before noon hundreds of boats were crossing every street, far and near, and bearing to the several vessels that lay at the river's bank, women and children, the sick and the feeble ; and as they arrived, the owners of the vessels were ready to offer them prompt aid and every comfort in their power ; and when they were safely landed ilpon the decks, the shoot of joy went up to heaven in loud cheers from those who landed them, for their safety, and these shouts were echoed back by the hundreds of voices that were in the surrounding boats, and within hearing of the response. During the entire day and until night, this work of humanity and mercy went on. The loss of property must be very great — it must be over a million of dollars. As night approached and the waters continued to increase, great fears were entertained for the buildings that were considered safe until now, for the vast body of water that continued to rush on the levee in front of the city was evidence that but a few could expect to be above the reach of water in the morning. Measures were now taken to prepare several places where food and lodging could be had, by raising new floors some two and three feet above the former ones ; but this could only be done in a few houses, so many being under water and all cooking apparatus belonging to the many eating houses being completely submerged. Besides this the several " Bakeries" were so deluged that no btead could be had other than hard bread. These places for refreshment were quickly arranged so that the many hundreds that were driven from their homes and could not be accommodated on board the shipping should find food and shelter until they could leave the city or find houses in some place until the waters should subside. This night (Friday) was one of great anxiety and watchfulness to many ; but when morning dawned hopes were entertained that the waters had reached their " ultimatum," for they had advanced but little during the night ; this was owing more particularly to the vast back country which gave the rising flood outlet. Previously the obstruction in and around the city in a measure prevented its outlet ; now the water had risen above these obstacles and was spreading far and wide over the vast plains beyond the city. Par as the eye could reach the scene had now become one of wild and fearful import — floating lumber, bales and cases, goods, boxes and barrels, tents and small houses were floating in every direction. The poor and suffering beasts were in a pitiable condition, and called forth the sympathy of all, and what could be was done to save them. Hundreds of horses, mules, and oxen were wandering about seeking places of security and food. Many, very many must have perished. Some gained places of safety by swimming a mile or more'' to the high bluff, back of the city. It was iudeed sad to hear their low and plaintive bellowing, as it told of their approaching death by cold and starvation ; some were fed by the warm-hearted and humane as they came near to the dwellings, asking by their looks for food. During all this day (Saturday) there came from time to time new evidences of impending ruin. The rush of the river became more and more rapid, although the rise of its waters seemed to stop for a while. But the current ' of rushing waters ran so strong through the various streets, particularly those opposite the levee, viz., J, X, L, and M, streets, these being the main business streets ; and also the cross streets, by the waters from tbe Slough above, that Front, Ist, 2nd, 3rd, and 4th streets, became like rapid rivers — so much so, that it was almost impossible for the boatmen to stem the tide, and many boats were upset in trying to navigate these streets ; the waters were now so high throughout the entire city that all business was carried on by the boats. The result of these rapid currents within these streets, was to undermine the buildings that were considered substantial and safe from danger. As an evidence of the power of the current, the new and valuable brick building at the comer of J and 3rd street, built at great cost by the Messrs. Merrill, having walls nearly or quiie eighteen inches in ihickness, was undermiued, and fell with a heavy crash, carrying with it the next store, Messrs. Ma=sett and Brewsier's, with which it fell into the flood a mass of ruin. The large iron store on"X street, was lifted from its position, carried into the street, and

then overthrown, and various others shared the same fate. Some were lifted and were seen moving on in the rapid current soon to become a mass of ruins. Few, very few houses, it is to be feared, will be able to stand these currents long — none can do so, unless they are secured by permanent foundations and securely fastened. Among those that I visited in passing through the city, as the sun went down, that had a fair prospect of security, were Messrs. Smith, Bensley, and Co., in J street — this fine building was still many inches above the flood, on the lower floor, and gave good evidence of having been built with much security, strength, and foresight. Messrs. Gelston and Co., also, on the corner of J and 3rd street, a fine and large warehouse, was apparently very firm, though not so high above the ground as the last, the water being several inches upon the lower floor. A very fine and handsome building, built and owned by Messrs. Howard and Bruce, on the corner of J and Fourth-street had two or three inches of water upon the lower floor, yet this splendid warehouse was built six feet above the ordinary level of the street — this will give some faint idea of the great rise of water in this vicinity. The City Hotel, where so many of our friends have enjoyed the excellent fare , that was provided by the proprietors, was so completely submerged as to compel the boarders to enter the boats, at the second story, the first being completely under water. The only hotel now left where jtbe many can be attended to, is the new hotel, called the Sutter House, built by S. Brennan, Esq., owned by Messrs. Dewy and Smith, and very recently opened by Mr. Jackson. This hotel is now only just above water, the flood being level with the floors. When this is flooded, there will be no public hotel left iv the city, although (here are still a very few eating and lodging rooms struggling manfully against the threatening flood ; among these should be named the Sierra Nevada, kept by Mr. M'Knight, a most enterprising man, and who was driven from his former bouse to his present position by the sudden flood ; be is now located near the Sutter House. * * * * * The scene presented to view from the maintop was wild in the extreme — -a vast lake of waters. Here and there only the tops of a tree, or the clumps of trees, were visible beyond the city for miles in extent, even to Sutter's Fort — nought but the rush of waters. Two high bluffs were indeed seen above the water, far to the right of the For t ; and here was presented a most thrilling sight. The highest point of the bluff was crowned with j tents, and from thence, down to the water's edge, was seen a dense mass of men, horses, and cattle, promiscuously mixed, all seeking safety by a rapid flight from the flood to these mountains of hope. The Sacramento this morning was still more rapid, and the floating wrecks that swept by only portended greater ruin still. The rush of passengers to the noble steamer Senator, as the morning opened, also told that there were many who were compelled to find a home elsewhere, and others who fled from these scenes of danger and suffering. As we came down, we could see all along the banks for twenty miles clustering groups of cattle and deer, gathering upon the highest ' points of land, hoping to escape the almost certain death that awaited them. Here too, were seen houses and tents, floating amid the trees and drift, deserted by their occupants. As near as can be estimated the rise of waters is six feet within the city, and the river ! has risen twenty-five to thirty feet. The loss of property is very great, taking the all of many. Several merchants are very heavy sufferers, losing in merchandise and buil lings and loss of business from ten to thirty thousand dollars each. A P.S. to a private letter, just received, giving a less gloomy account of the flood, written at 12p.m., on the 12th instant, says: " The lower floor of the Sutter Hotel is still above water — board eight dollars per day. Boatmen charging from ten dollars to fifteen '\ dollars an hour." j

Sacramento City, Jan. 26, 1850. After the recent overflow of our city, of coarse out business community are in doubt how to proceed, so much uncertainty being felt as to whether we shall have another rising of the waters. The water continued gradually to recede after the first great demonstration, until yesterday, when it tacked ship, and stood in up to this morning, since which time it has again receded a few inches. There is plenty of energy and enterprise in Sacramento City to launch into business at once, as soon as this question is settled. The river would unquestionably fall rapidly if we could have a few days of northerly wind and a little cooler atmosphere. The prevailing wind is from the south-east, accompanied, about half the time, with rain. A gentleman from Georgetown

(situated on high ground, in the vicinity of the south fork of the American River) informs me that when he left there, on Monday last, there was a foot of snow on the ground. I have heard from others that there is a large amount of snow yet on the mountains. This circumstance may yet cause us more trouble. From the mines, in various sections, the intelligence is favourable, and since the freshet here many have gone directly to the diggings. On the Yuba, particularly, miners are said to be doing as well, in proportion to the time they work, as they did last fall, and every one knows that that stream has always been noted for its great yield. Many intelligent miners are of opinion that the recent heavy rains have formed many more bars. This inference seems to be hardly questioned by any one. During the past week, many people here, in the absence of other business, have amused themselves by searching in the dirt, and some have really done the thing up to advantage. Lumps, weighing as high as half an ounce, have been picked up. One man is said to have collected 30 dollars in a single day. Yesterday, as two men were taking a corps from one of our hospitals to the burying ground, at the Fort, in a boat, one of the men was drowned in one of the upper sloughs. The boat was leaky, and when nearly full of water, the unfortunate man jumped from her with the intention of swimming to the dry land, in which attempt, from some unknown circumstance, he failed. He was a native of Belgium. The El Dorado brought up a large number of passengers to-day — near or quite a hundred — most of whom seem to be bound for the mines. Yours, &c, J. G.