21 
It is by no means certain, however, that the Croydon 
Bourne has not flowed very many times and has not 
been recorded, especially in the earlier periods, and it 
will be noted that in making a collection of the dates 
when Bournes have flowed out of Orpington Gravel 
pits, the dates of which were supplied to the Author 
some years ago by Dr. Alfrey, of St. Mary’s Cray, 
when there has been a Bourne flow out of the Orpington 
Gravel pits there has usually been a Bourne flow at 
Croydon. The following figures give the dates when a 
Bourne has flowed out of these Orpington gravel pits, 
and in all probability the Bourne flowed at Croydon in 
the same years. 
Year 1795 1817 1866 
1799 1625. * 1873 
1809 1828 1877 
1811 1841 1904 
1812 — — 
According to the Author’s observations a flow of the 
Bourne occurred in the Wickham Valley in the years 
1877, 1879, 1881, and 1883, and it has not flowed 
since the latter year, as large quantities of water are 
now taken from this valley for the supply of water to 
London and Croydon. The flow of the Bourne in this 
valley is usually later than in the Caterham Valley. 
In the Bourne flow of 1880-81 the Bourne broke out 
in the Caterham Valley on the 12th December, 1880, 
but it was not until the 8th February, 1881, that it 
broke out in the Wickham Valley. There has also 
always been a flow of the Bourne in the Brighton Road 
Valley at Smitham Bottom every time there has been 
a moderate or large flow of the Bourne in the Caterham 
Valley. 
Orpington 
Bourne flow. 
Wickham 
Valley 
Bourne. 
Smitham 
Bottom or 
Marlpit Lane 
Bourne. 
