Document five
Floods in Dartford, 1900
The heavy flood which inundated the principal streets of the town is a serious calamity for Dartford...Late on Friday it was seen that the water was rapidly rising and a flood was anticipated, but few dreamt of such a state of things as was our lot to experience on the following day. We were informed from outside on Friday afternoon that a large volume of water which flooded the lowlands at Eynsford, Farningham, and Darenth, was gradually clearing towards Dartford, but the outlets at the Victoria Mills and Acacia Hall appeared sufficient, and no other steps were taken to meet an emergency. But as the evening drew on it became apparent that the flood would be greater than was at first supposed, and by eleven o'clock the water had crossed the street near the church, and from this time it rose rapidly...
The scene near the church will be one which will not readily be forgotten. The water was several feet in depth, and rushed out from Acacia Hall across the street with tremendous force. Bullace Lane soon resembled a river, whilst the High Street was impassable, and in Lowfield Street there was several feet of water and a very swift current. Hythe Street also suffered, but Waterside was, of course, the worst of all. The Riverside Mills could not work and business had to be abandoned at several local works...
The total loss to the town is great. The Parish Church was flooded and the services had to be held in the National Schools on the Sunday. The force of water which came through the streets was apparent when the roads could be seen, the metal in cases being washed up, and generally the streets presented a very rough appearance...A number of innkeepers and others suffered severely.
Arrangements were made on Saturday evening...for the assistance of fire engines from neighbouring towns and those were busy pumping out cellars during the greater part of Sunday...The Banks and Post Office were reached by planks from vehicles in the streets, and the officials did all in their power to meet the public requirements under the circumstances.
REPORT IN THE WEST KENT ADVERTISER, FEBRUARY 24TH 1900