3-021-512 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Floods at Windsor, [Berkshire], 1869. 'The extraordinary quantity of rain that has fallen in most parts of England during the last three weeks has caused the overflow of many rivers and the flooding of extensive tracts of land...The waters...rose considerably at Windsor and Eton, where the scene was indeed remarkable, as viewed from the north and east terraces of Windsor Castle. For several miles the natural course of the river and its windings were lost in a succession of inland lakes...thousands of acres of meadow and pasture land were inundated, the ditches, watercourses, and rivulets being filled to overflowing...Upon the south shore of the river the swollen Thames had invaded the royal demesne, much of the Home Park facing the north and east terraces of the castle being under water. The land in the western environs of Windsor had a deal of water upon it, the "Goswells", adjoining the Gardner estate, and near the Windsor gasworks, were partly inundated, and the floods surrounded Taylor's baths. This part is shown in [the] sketch...from the point of view of Cambridge-terrace. Except the rapid flow of the current, there was a remarkable aspect of stillness about the flooded valley, navigation in those parts being entirely suspended'. From "Illustrated London News", 1869.