3-016-757 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Floods at Melbourne, Australia: Emerald Hill, from the suburban railway, 1864. Engraving of a photograph by Messrs. Davies. 'On Dec. 13 heavy squalls of wind, accompanied by rain, swept across the city, and continued to increase in intensity during the three following days. The wind being from the S.W. and S.S.W., a high tide arose. This, coupled with the heavy rain, had the effect of making the river Yarra rise to a greater height than it had ever done before...All communication with the suburbs was completely cut off during two days. Emerald Hill was an island, the road which connects it with Melbourne being submerged to the depth of many feet...Steps have already been taken to collect subscriptions for the relief of the distressed, and the following notice has been issued by the Government: "To Poor Persons driven out of their Homes by the present Floods. Accommodation for a few days will be afforded to such families and persons on their applying at the Immigrants' Dépôt, King-street...Should the demand be in excess of the spare room, tents and bedding, under proper care, will be loaned, and other assistance granted to the necessitous. A certificate from a clergyman or a magistrate of the locality must be produced at the dépôt".' From "Illustrated London News", 1864.