Just Before Midnight, March 11th, 1864, the Dale Dyke Dam wall collapsed, sending 700 million gallons of water cascading down the Loxley Valley, to Malin Bridge and Hillsborough. The torrent, travelling faster than a horse could run met the River Don at Owlerton continuing to the town of Sheffield and beyond. This 'fearful inundation' caused over 240 deaths and obliterating many homes, farms and industrial works along the way. The photographs here depict some of the locations impacted by the flood and flood relics.
The Great Sheffield Flood
Just Before midnight, March 11th, 1864 the Dale Dyke Dam wall collapsed sending 700 million gallons of water cascading down upon the town of Sheffield. This ‘fearful inundation’ caused over 240 deaths and destroyed many homes and businesses.
“O man! how vain thy boasted skill, how feeble is thy power,”
Line from ‘The Great Flood’ Anon.
“To him, who can the work of years, destroy in one short hour,
Line from ‘The Great Flood.’ Anon
“To thy ambition, Sheffield lays this elemental strife,”
Line from ‘The Great Flood’ Anon
“This wide expanse of misery, and fearful waste of life,”
Line from ‘The Great Flood.’ Anon
“But while a throb beats in thy heart, or mem’ry holds her throne,”
Line from ‘The Great Flood.’ Anon
“God grant the like calamity, may ne’er again be known”.”
Line from’The Great Flood.’ Anon