25 October 2024
Floods have the power to reshape landscapes and leave communities shattered, with lasting impacts that can endure for generations. This was tragically the case in 1864, when a devastating flood struck Sheffield, a city in South Yorkshire, England.
In this blog, we will explore the factors that led to this catastrophic event and the touch on some of the ordeals the communities faced. To begin, we will examine the natural landscape of Sheffield and industrialisation.
Sheffield is nestled among many hills and during heavy rain it becomes a network of streams, all funnelling toward the city. The geographical location is on the confluence of five main rivers, making this area another reason water levels rise and at a fast rate. In the 19th century, many businesses had set up along the rivers, harnessing the force of water for power.
Between 1801 and 1861, Sheffield’s population grew from 45,000 to over 185,000, creating a pressing need for water. The Dale Dyke Dam was constructed to supply water to the city’s mills and provide drinking water to the expanding population. By 1864, the dam was nearly complete, a symbol of progress and modern engineering.
It was on Friday March 11, 1864, Sheffield was experiencing a very stormy day. Mr Gunson, the resident engineer for the Sheffield Water Works, inspected the dam at around 3 PM and found the dam to be quite safe. At about 5.30 PM, a workman on his way home via the embankment noticed a crack at around 50 - yards in length (45 metres) in the embankment, wide enough to fit a penknife. He reported it to another workman, who informed a nearby farmer. By 7 PM, the crack was large enough to fit a man’s fingers. A group inspected the crack and adopted safety measures, though no water was leaking.
A contractor sent his son on horseback to alert Mr Gunson. After receiving the message at around 8.30 PM Mr Gunson and Mr Craven set off. Meanwhile villagers in Lower Bradfield, aware of the crack and concerns of, began moving uphill including moving their cattle. Upon arrival at around 10 PM Mr Gunson and Mr Craven found the crack had widened but still saw no immediate danger. As they tried to relieve pressure on the dam, water started coming over the embankment.
At around midnight, the embankment gave way, creating around a 30 feet (9 metre) wide gap that unleashed an immense torrent of water. Mr Swinden and Mr Gunson ran for their lives. As they ran, the gunpowder set earlier to alleviate the water flow exploded, but it was too late. Over a hundred million cubic feet of water thundered like an avalanche down the Loxley Valley. Those in low-lying areas faced certain disaster.
Families sleeping, men working in mills, those in the inns, animals, vegetation, rocks, and machinery almost everything in its way was swept away within minutes. If you were fortunate to be awake and on high ground, or if you sought higher ground in time, survival was more likely. Tragically, around 250 people lost their lives which included many young children. Survivors had the miserable task of identifying loved ones in the aftermath. Over 4000 homes were affected, hundreds were destroyed including businesses, and many bridges were wiped out. Muddy debris was everywhere inside and outside homes, and residents needed clothing, food, and shelter. Flood relief funds were established, and the Government set up a Board of Inundation Commissioners to help with compensation claims.
The Sheffield Water Company was blamed along with its engineers. In 1875, the Dale Dyke Dam was rebuilt to a smaller scale and further upstream from its original location. Later, it was revealed that the cause of the flood was due to the watertight barrier. Though Sheffield still faces flooding in our day, it does not compare to the Great Sheffield Flood, the greatest civilian disaster in Victorian Britain.
Today, flood protection schemes, including natural flood management and stronger culverts, have been implemented to prevent such a tragedy from occurring again.