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Extract from
the "Lincoln Rutland and Stamford Mercury of Friday 16th
November.'
1810
DREADFUL STORM
The high wind which prevailed on Saturday last (10th Nov.
1810) may in its consequences, be regarded as the most awful visitation with
which the County of Lincoln has been afflicted in the annals of time. The
ruinous calamity produced by the gale has been two-fold; at sea and on shore its
effects have been so exceedingly fatal, that in the estimate of injury suffered,
it is Impossible yet to say whether the adventurous mariner or the peaceful
husbandman has the greater weight of affliction, to sustain.
We have accounts of a very melancholy cost from all the
towns in the East of the County, but the seat and centre of distress seems to be
the town of Boston. A tremendous gale from the East was experienced there
throughout Saturday; it set directly into the mouth of the Haven and the
consequence was that the evening tide came in with that irresistible force with
an accumulated impetus of 12 hours continuance must necessarily give it what is
called the eagre of the tide although expected to be stronger than usual,
astonished who saw it come up the channel and was the harbinger of dreadful
mischief. By seven o' clock the tide had risen higher by four inches than upon
any preceding occasion upon record and had filled the houses in many streets to
a considerable depth of water. At this height it continued for about an hour
without perceptible change. The cause of this extraordinary affect was that the
tide had over-hopped its barriers - 'the banks of the channel were Insufficient
to hold it and being invaded by the overfalling surge on the land sides, yielded
to the action of the boiling flood. Friskney and Leverton new sea banks were
broken in many places; Frieston new bank entirely swept away and the old bank in
that parish demolished in various parts; as also Boston East old bank, and the
banks at Skirbeck Quarter, Wyberton, Frampton and Fosdyke.
By these several breaches of banks, the tide got vent in a
new and less straightened channel, and the whole surrounding country was deluged
by the sea. Had the banks been sufficiently high to have confined the tide in
its accustomed course, the town of Boston, it is probable, would have been
utterly ruined, for the water would have risen some feet high in it and have
washed down and destroyed everything.
The distress, which this fierce and unlocked for invasion
of the neighbouring lands occasioned, is beyond all description. The flood swept
cattle and everything before it in it's progress to find a level; and the
bursting of the water through the apertures of the banks, as those barriers
successively gave way, added a noise like thunder to the horrors of the night.
The inhabitants of many farm houses were environed by the water before they knew
of danger - and escape was impossible, had the formation of the country
permitted any exemption from the inundation; owing, however, to its unvaried
flatness there is not, in several parishes, a foot of ground unflooded. Our
readers can scarcely imagine much less can we adequately describe the
consternation and affliction produced by this event; the whole country about
Boston to the North and south of that town, has experienced this overwhelming
calamity; the lands on the eastern side have been saved, in consequence of those
capacious drains, Hob-hole and Maud Foster (heretofore condemned as useless)
have received the weight of waters.
It is impossible yet to be very accurate in stating the
head of lose sustained; we have heard that the number of sheep drowned in the
distressed tract of country between Wainfleet and Sutterton (to which latter
town the inundation extended southwardly) is 15,000; besides many horses and
other cattle.
Implements of every description have been swept in a
general wreck; stacks of corn and hay to a great amount carried like litter over
the country; and the hopes of the husbandman blasted, not merely for the
present, but, on account of the ponds, wells, and ditches being without
exception filled with salt water, for a considerable time in the future.
At Fosdyke the tide came upon the land so suddenly that a
servant maid of Mr. Birkitt of that place; was surrounded by the sea, whilst
milking the cows in a pasture not far from the house, perished before assistance
could be given. Another person in that parish, an elderly woman, was in the
course of the night washed out of the upper window of her cottage and drowned.
At Fishtoft Mr. Smith Jessop lost his life in endeavouring
to rescue some of, his father's sheep. His death was not less extraordinary than
that of the other two persons who we have mentioned. About seven 7 o'clock in
the evening, his father looking out into the storm, mistook the approaching
deluge from the sea for a fall of snow on his pastures, and exclaimed to his son
that care should be taken of some sheep. The latter immediately went forth and
before he had recovered from his astonishment at the coming waters, fell a
sacrifice to them by getting out of his depth.
These events are so extraordinary, the relation of them
requires all the corroboration we can give perhaps it will be enough to say
(which can do of our own knowledge) that inquests upon the bodies have been held
by Walter Davis of Boston, Coroner for the district in which the event happened.
Plummers Hotel at Frieston Shore (the resort of many
persons from the Midland Counties during, the summer) was for a long time
expected to be completely washed away. The great bow window was forced from the
building by the water and carried to the distance of several fields. The houses
of Mr. Keale and Mr. Dickinson, of Wyberton have nearly been demolished; and
many others much damaged. Small tenements, and barns and sheds have shared a
complete destruction in several parishes. Water continues to be at least two
feet deep on the lands in general and when it will be got rid of can hardly be
calculated.
Not less than 20,000 acres of the richest land in England
are in this situation. The water runs over the London road in several places
within seven miles of Boston; it is in some situations five feet deep on the
road. Almost all the land to the right of that line and some on the left is
flooded; and the wind gives that vast expanse of water an undulating motion,
which makes it in everything resemble a sea.
A Court of Sewers is sitting daily at Boston and the
utmost exertions are making to repair the breaches in the banks. The roads
towards the sea and Fosdyke Wash continue to be horse-belly deep in water and
are passable only with great danger and difficulty. All sorts of implements are
encountered floating in the way and the tops of gateposts and a few tall objects
are the only indices to the real road.
Boston church was under water to a considerable depth in
every part (except the Chancel, to which there is an ascent of two step). At the
western end of the steeple the water was two feet eight inches and a half deep.
Of course divine service could not be performed on Sunday. Many of the
neighbouring parishes to Sutterton inclusively, were similarly circumstanced. We
understand divine service on Sunday had not been interrupted at Boston Church
for more than a century before.
A large haystack on the farm of Mr. Day of Frieston (near
the Shore houses) was moved entire by the tide, from one end of a pasture to the
other (a distance of three or four hundred yards) and now stands erect and
perfect.
The losses at sea have been extremely dreadful all along
the coast. A letter from Saltfleet received it the Customs House at Boston gives
the news of 20 vessels wrecked in that neighbourhood. Letters which have
received from Wainfleet, Theddlethorpe and other places, also speak of numbers
of wrecks discernable from the respective places. We forebear from stating the
numbers, because we imagine each statement incloses some making up the number of
others. We suppose, however, we may fairly say that from the Humber to Boston
Deeps, 400 vessels have been wrecked. Dead bodies are thrown on shore almost
every tide off Mablethorpe, Theddlethorpe, Sutton, and the neighbouring parishes
on the coast. The Saltfleet letter received at Boston Custom house mentions the
following wrecks; The Matthew of North Shields; Joseph and Dorothy South
Shields; Aid of Sunderland; Ann and Isabella Bly the master, Supply Whitby, Mary
and Eleanor, Stettin; (A foreign vessel we believe) Liberty Alger; Mary of Lynn;
Tarr of Cromer, Triton Stockport; Garland, Shields; Betsy. Newcastle; John,
Wisbech; Aleona, Bridgewater; John and George, Hull, one sunk off Sutton, three
where broken in pieces, and all hands lost. Eight hands lost some of them
mentioned by name.
Off Boston were the following losses; The Amber, Blay
(owner or master), struck on the herring land; The whole of her crew drowned.
The vessel righted after the storm but since being got off is now lying in
Skirback Quarter with part of her cargo of groceries etc. on board. Some jars of
Oil and other things will be saved. The Brig Hope, of Sunderland, coal laden
foundered at her anchors in Clay Hole, and every soul on board perished.
A Scotch schooner drifted from her anchors in the Scalps;
crew drowned. A fine ship pierced for 18 guns called La Hinerva, prize to the
Hussar frigate by whom she was lately captured from the Dense: complete wreck on
the main above Weinfleet. Lieut. McDougal, a midshipman and 18 men saved in the
boats and arrived at Boston - Sea Venture, of Whitby a ship more than 100 years
old and never before driven into Boston. Complete wreck; crew saved. A barge
drifted over the bank near the Scall and now lies in the midst of the pastures.
Three vessels were driven up the Wash nearly as high as Fosdyke. Inn, one the
Ann Cartwright remains there half a mile from the Channel. Many vessels damaged
and lost anchors etc. etc. Out of ten fishing smacks belonging to Boston, only
one, we understand, has weathered the storm.
LOUTH. 14th November. Report from correspondent at
Louth.
The North coast of Lincolnshire, from the mouth of the Humber to Skegness,
exhibits such a scene of distress as had not been witnessed before by the oldest
man living. There are 16 vessels cast on shore within the space of four miles
and not more than two of them, are expected to be got off. One of them a
Prussian brigg bound for London with wheat went to pieces yesterday and the
cargo is entirely lost. The number of` poor souls who have perished is not yet
ascertained, but every tide increases the awful spectacle by driving up several
mangled corpses.
In the parishes of Surfleet and Pinchbeck much damage has
been done, a breach of bank took place at the outfall of the Vernatt's drain
which destroyed one of the arches and the drain of course became a receptacle
for salt water, and must so continue until such time as the breach can be
secured. Floating furniture and cornstacks have become by no means rare in the
neighbourhood of Saltfleet. Mr. William Beasley has lost many sheep. The wheat
seed which he had committed to the earth for vegetation, is destroyed and his
farm rendered for a long time unfit for tillage. His family were compelled to
quit their house for safety; a contiguous cottage with a barn and other
buildings, were wholly swept away by the flood. The land upon which they stood
was in tenure of Mr. Wheat, of Gosberton, who in common with many others has
lost a number of sheep. Mr. N. Thorpe of the Reserve had a large quantity of
coals washed away. Mr. John Thorpe, of Pinchbeck Marsh, had been uncommonly
fortunate; being under discharge from his farm (Major Arty's) he parted with all
his stock lately. Had this not been the case, he would from the present state of
the land sustained, a loss of many hundred pounds. In the park at Pinchbeck
about 30 oaks have been levelled with the earth. At Bridgend between Horbling
and the Forty Foot, many large trees were blown down upon the road, so as for
some hours completely to interrupt passengers in carriages or on horseback. The
situation of travellers seems to have been extremely dangerous. Welton mill near
Spilsby was blown down on Saturday night, Fortunately the miller had just left
it to get a light.
Two casks of spirits, cast ashore at Gedney were found by
two labouring men who helped themselves so plentifully that one of them died in
consequence. At Wisbech the tide rose to an unusual height and flowed with such
rapidity that several craft, loaded with grain, broke from their moorings and
sunk; the banks in several places were over-flowed and the lands near the town
inundated. Several of the inhabitants have sustained a serious loss, as the
warehouses and other buildings near the river were filled with salt water. Great
damage has also been done to the banks and enclosures near the outfall of the
river. The sloop "Brothers and Sisters" of Boston, John Collins, master, from
London to Wisbech Deeps was driven on shore, fortunately the crew were saved but
the whole of the cargo, it is feared must be lost as the vessel is bilged.
Several vessels are on shore between Wisbech and the Washway.
The tremendous gales have done very extensive damage
amongst the timber in the parks in the neighbourhood of Stamford. In the marquis
of Exters beautiful domain more than 100 large trees have been blown down many
of them in avenues, the regularity of which is of course destroyed by the
chasms. In Walcot Park, the estate of Nevile Noel, Esq., 400 trees were
destroyed, and about the same number in the park of Col. Noel. of Exton. and the
Earl of Winchilsea at Burley – including in the latter an entire avenue of
Chestnuts. In Normanton Park (Sir Gilbert Heathcoat) 50 trees were blown up by
the roots and about as many broken in half. A spinney below the house is nearly
annihilated. At the Earl of Westmorlands 21 trees are lying between the mansion
house and Moorhay Abbey (Mrs. Pochin's) seven in Stockett Hall, 300 upon and
near the road between Stamford and Leicester. Twelve fine young elm trees on
Miss Tryon's estate at Glaston, were torn up by the roots, and more then 50
yards of her garden wall, which was planted with choice fruit trees blown down.
Two post-chaises were blown over between Stanford and
Bourn half of Mr, Charles Allen's house, in Littleworth Drove blown down
Scarcely a water-engine at Doddington and neighbourhood was so much inured as to
be now useless
At Pilsgate, a poor house, the occupier of which (an old
woman) had left it but a few minutes, was entirely blown down. - Mr. Hill,
wool-stapler, of Uppingham, had a fat beast killed by a hovel falling. - At
Barrowden, a boy was most miraculously preserved, by a beam protecting him in a
space scarcely large enough to hold him, while he was giving some fodder to a
Beast in a hovel belonging to Mr. Shelton. The animal was killed by falling of
the hovel. A summer-house, belonging to Mr. Willis at Gretford, was beaten down
by a large tree being blown upon it. The church at Sleaford received so much
damage that services could not be performed in it on Sunday last, and two houses
near the church (one of them occupied by Mr. Forbes) received material injury.
The water was higher at Stamford Bridge on Sunday night than it was in the flood
of 1795.
Extract from the "Lincoln Rutland and Stamford Mercury"
- Friday 23rd November. 1810
THE STORM
We have this week to add the following particulars to the melancholy detail
given in our last. Inquests, by Walter Davis, gent, coroner. - On Friday last
(16th Nov) on the body of William Owen, a youth of about 16 years of age,
servant to Mr. Kelsey, of Boston who was drowned on the preceding day in riding
down to his master's farm at Fishtoft. - On the 14th at Fosdyke on Esther
Tunnard and Anne Burton who were drowned by the flood inundating their cottages.
On 15th and 16th at Fishtoft, on the body of a boy (supposed to belong to the
amber, Bly (Master or owner) and of John Jackson and William Black, two of the
crew of a vessel which was wrecked during the late gale. On 15th at Gibraltar
Point, in the pariah of Wainfleet All Saints, on the body of a man unknown found
drowned. The bodies of 16 persons, which had been cast on the coast by the tides
were decently interred in Claxby Church yard on Sunday last.
The hurricane was so violent in the neighbourhood of Moulton Chapel that it
stripped one side of the house of Mr. J. Griffin there, in a few minutes. Among
the persons who have rendered themselves conspicuous by their philanthropic
exertions on behalf of their neighbours, we have to notice Messrs. Hardwicke and
Parr, of Kirton and Messrs. John and Henry Mowbray of Fishtoft, to whose
friendly aid may be attributed the salvation of much valuable property.
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