The New Hampshire Gazette And General Advertiser

FEBRUARY 15.

The Thames rose yesterday to an amazing height. At about half an hour past one o'clock in the afternoon the water was considerably higher than it has been for 20 years past. New Palace Yard and Westminster Hall, were overflowed, and the Lawyers were actually conveyed to and from the courts in boats. This has happened several times before, viz. in the years 1235, 1730, February 9, 1735, December 24, 1736, October 14, 1747, and February 9, 1762, but none since. The whole of Millbank-row, Vine-street, and Market, &c. was overflowed, so that the boats came into them. The meadows and fields from thence up to Ranelagh and Chelsea were laid under water. The water rose through the shores, and overflowed Privy Gardens, great part of Scotland Yard, and some part of St. James Park. The cellars and kitchens in that neighbourhood were nearly all filled with water, particularly his Majesty's Stationary office; the Lottery and Exchequer Offices in Palace Yard; the houses of the Duke of Newcastle, the late Duke of Montague, &c. &c. The damage done in the ware-houses on the wharfs, on both sides the river is immense; they were overflowed almost without exception. The ground floor of the Albion Mills was covered. A large quantity of tea was wetted in a warehouse at Old Swan. The water overflowed the custom house quay, Tower Wharf, Bankside, Queenhithe, great part of Tooley-street, Wapping High-street, Thames-street, &c. and filled all the adjoining cellars; most of the gardens and fields, between Blackfriars-road & Westminster bridge were overflowed. The water was so deep in several streets, that boats were used to remove the inhabitants. In New Palace Yard the scuffle for boats was so violent, that several gentlemen of the long robe were thrown into the water; and Westminster Hall now being in the list of regulated fares the fees insisted by the watermen were universally complained of as exorbitant. As this extraordinary rise does not seem to have been occasioned by a land flood, or strong wind impelling the tide into the river, there is reason to fear, that the overflow will be as great, or greater for a day or two. The moon changed this morning, and the highest tides are generally two days after the change.