84 



greatly. At Bridgnorth the water was two feet higher than any flood remem- 

 bered, and also at Gloucester. Two houses were carried away at Tenbury. 



The rivers Wye and Lugg were also so much flooded as to stop the coaches. 

 A bridge at Mortimer's Cross was carried away. The London waggon was 

 thrown off the causeway at "Wilton-bridge, near Boss, and to quote the quaint 

 words of the chronicler, " It is pleasant to reflect that the passengers were all 

 got out before the accident happened." People were drowned both at Mon- 

 mouth and Brecon. 



1795. — Feb. 11th, this extraordinary flood, which was so disastrous 

 throughout England, and which is still remembered by a few old people, and 

 not unfrequently referred to even now after the lapse of 75 years was caused by 

 a sudden thaw after a more severe month's Lost than we have since had.* 



The Wye attained its greatest height at Hereford on Wednesday evening, 

 at six o'clock, February 11th, at which time it was said to be two feet five 

 inches higher than ever known by the oldest resident. The inhabitants beyond 

 Wye-bridge had to be supplied with food by boats. At the village of Hampton 

 the water rose six feet in half an hour. At Lugg-bridge the read was so broken 

 up that it was impossible to pass after the flood had subsided. All but the 

 strongest built bridges weie washed away. Amongst the rest Glasbury' 

 Whitney, and Hay. A farmer, of the name of Lloyd, of Clyro, was crossing 

 Hay-bridge at the time and was drowned. 



Buildwas, Bewdley, Stourport, Uxbridge, Long, and many other bridges 

 on the Severn were broken, as well as Ashford bridge on the Terne at Ludlow. 



Boss and Monmouth bridges were said to be much damaged. B. Crowder, 

 grocer, at Monmouth, was drowned in the Chippenham meadows where he had 

 gone in a boat to rescue some property. 



The middle pier of Usk bridge was carried down, but the arches left 

 standing. 



At Shrewsbury the Severn was higher by several inches than in 1770, 

 and consequently than ever known, but it is rather singular that at Worcester 

 it did not reach the height of that flood by 7§ ihches. 



At Gloucester it was said to be the highest since 1770. Again the 

 highest point was reached at Shrewsbury 22 hours before at Worcester, when it 

 was four in the afternoon of Thursday. At Gloucester St. Blary's-square and the 

 County Prison were quite surrounded with water. 



At Shrewsbury the timber merchants were said to have lost £1,000, and 

 an immense number of cattle, sheep, pigs, &c, were lost. 



Three men driven against the pier at Chepstow bridge while out in a boat 

 were drowned. 



1799. — Feb. 20, owing to heavy rains and quantities of snow, which had 

 completely stopped the traffic on many roads in the kingdom, the river Wye 

 rose higher than since 1705. 



* See Records of Cold. 



