The extraordinary quantity of rain that has fallen in most parts of England during the last three weeks has caused the overflow of many rivers and the flooding of extensive tracts of land. The three main fluvial regions of this island, south of the Humber, are those of the Thames, the Severn, and the Trent, with their respective tributary streams; and the local reports from different county towns along the course of each of those great channels for the surface-drainage of the country agree in bearing testimony to the fact of wide inundations throughout the level and low-lying districts. The floods at Oxford were the subject of one of our Illustrations last week. The waters also rose considerably at Windsor and Eton, where the scene was indeed remarkable, as viewed from the north and east terraces of Windsor Castle. For several miles the natural course of the river and its windings were lost in a succession of inland lakes. Between Maidenhead and Staines thousands of acres of meadow and pasture land were inundated, the ditches, watercourses, and rivulets being filled to overflowing. At Eton College, portions of the "playing fields" were underwater; the "Brocas," on the west side of the town, where the spectators assemble on June 4 to see the regatta, was likewise partly submerged. The "south meadow," well known as the site upon which are celebrated the annual college athletic sports, formed the bottom of a fine sheet of water. In fact, the town and college of Eton appeared to be situated upon a peninsula, so much water was lying west and east of the town. Upon the south shore of the river the swollen Thames had invaded the royal demesne, much of the Home Park facing the north and east terraces of the castle being under water. The land in the western environs of Windsor had a deal of water upon it, the "Goswells," adjoining the Gardner estate, and near the Windsor gasworks, were partly inundated, and the floods surrounded Taylor's baths. This part is shown in a sketch which we have engraved from the point of view of Cambridge-terrace. Except the rapid flow of the current, there was a remarkable aspect of stillness about the flooded valley, navigation in those parts being entirely suspended. At Datchet and Old Windsor there was a great deal of land under water. The accounts we have from Gloucester and other places in valley of the Severn are of a similar character. The Trent at Nottingham and for many miles along the course of that river through the midland counties was greatly increased in volume; but the anglers take pleasure in remarking that this visitation will be favourable to their sport next season, because it will have cleared away the accumulation of poisonous matters from the Burton breweries, which they consider so fatal to the fish. We have engraved a view of the flood at Nottingham, as seen from the end of Kirke White-street. At Derby there was a great overflow of the river Derwent, swollen by the tremendous storms in the Peak. In Lincolnshire, also, the Witham more than once rose above its banks in certain places, and thousands of acres of land were submerged in different parts of the fen country. Here and there a family might be seen in such an uncomfortable plight as is represented in our Engraving, forced to depart from its home and to seek a dry place of temporary abode. The man and wife, with their children, some household furniture and stores, the cat and the poultry, travel slowly in a cart, followed by the wading cow and dog, along the watery road. Let us hope they will not have a protracted exile to endure.
Flooding in Lincolnshire, 170K
Source: The Illustrated London News, Vol. LIV, Jan. 16, 1869, p.73
The Floods at Windsor