Devon: During the last few days, the neighbourhood of Newton Abbot has been visited with one of the most destructive floods ever remembered. The late heavy and almost incessant rains caused the rivers Lemon and Teign to rise to an enormous height, and great fears were entertained lest the water would overflow the banks. The sudden and immense rush of water taking place from the up streams into the Lemon, added to the great rise of tide from the Teign, caused the banks to burst, and property to a considerable amount was either swept away or damaged. The water rushed with fearful h violence into the premises of Mr. Vicary, tanner, and damage was caused to the leather and Premises amounting to upwards of £500. The torrent also rushed into the mill and premises of Mr. Stockeman, but it is said that £10 or £20 will cover his lose. The inhabitants of Suncourt had all their houses flooded and were obliged to take refuge upstairs until the water subsided. Several of the streets were rendered impassable, and much injury, has been done to house property. Mr. Pinsent had about 100 tons of coal washed away from the Marsh and is otherwise a great sufferer from the flood. Altogether the damage which the calamity has caused is estimated at something like £1,000.
[see similar: Liverpool Mercury: Tuesday 16th November 1852 & Manchester Times: Wednesday 17th November 1852]
Transcribed in whole or part from scanned originals: Presented with or without modified text and punctuation. For absolute accuracy refer to the original newspapers. Source: The British Newspaper Archive.
Referenced
GRO0518 Devonport: John Ball Pinsent: 1819 – 1901