3-016-846 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Flood at Sheffield: remains of Ball-Street Bridge - from a sketch by our special artist, 1864. View of '...the ruins of the iron foot-bridge in Ball-street...The inquest...has resulted in a verdict declaring, of course, that the deceased came to their deaths by drowning in the inundation caused by the bursting of the Bradfield Reservoir...and the jury further declare their opinion "that there has not been that engineering skill and that attention to the construction of the works which their magnitude and importance demanded; that the Legislature ought to take such action as will result in a Governmental inspection of all works of this character, and that such inspection ought to be frequent, regular, and sufficient." They add, "we cannot separate without expressing our deep regret at the fearful loss of life which has occurred from the disruption of the Bradfield Reservoir".' From "Illustrated London News", 1864.