The Virginia Gazette

The following Extract of a Letter from Somerham near the Fens of Ely, shows that our Fears were but too justly grounded with relation to the Damages expected from the late heavy Rains.

Somerham, Oct. 3.

The continual and heavy Rains which fell from Wednesday last to this Morning have made great Devastations in these Parts: All the Meadows and Roads about St. Ives, Huntingdon, Hemingford, &c. are laid so very deep under Water, that there is hardly any passing from Town to Town without a Boat. The Gravel-way from Earith to the Hermitage has been overflow'd in such a manner as to render it unpassable for a Horse without swimming. But the greatest Loss is sustained by the Fenmen, whose Washes, their chief Dependance, are all a bright Sea from the Hermitage quite down to Salter's Load. Very great Damage has likewise been done to their Oats, some of which are yet standing, and others in Wads among the Waters: Even Grunty Fen, tho' lying pretty high near Ely, has not escap'd, which produced a very good Crop of Oats, many Acres of which are yet out in the Field, and not likely to be got in fit for any other Use than Dung. By the Judgment and Care of the present Officers the Banks and Mills are in such good Order that no considerable Breaches have been made by the Floods, which otherwise would have drowned many Thousands of Acres more.