11 March 2010

This day in history:
The Great Sheffield Flood, also known as the Great Inundation, was a disaster that devastated areas in and above Sheffield on March 11, 1864. Dale Dyke (or Bradfield) resevoir was one of a planned four resevoirs built around Bradfield, about 8 miles north-west of Sheffield, to satisfy the developing steel industry of Sheffield. The embankment damming the Dale Dyke stream was of earth construction (500 feet wide, 100 feet high), forming a resevoir a mile long and a quarter mile in width. Over 4,000 houses were flooded. There were 240 reported deaths, though the total may have been higher, especially if consequent deaths are taken into account. Following a special Act of Parliament, compensation of £273,988 was paid for damage to property, injury to persons, and loss of life one of the largest insurance awards of its time. read more