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39
At Otley Terrace, although the ground floor was flooded, it
was possible to enter and leave the houses without great difficulty.
This also applied to the houses in Lea Bridge Road and 1, Middlesex
Wharf.
In addition, there was flooding at the Old Boat House, rear of
the "Ship Aground", and the licensed premises "Ship Aground"
where the family preferred to remain upstairs. At the "Anchor &
Hope", Spring Hill, the cellar only was flooded. The "King's
Head" was badly flooded but the family evacuated themselves.
At 136, Southwold Road there was very mild flooding and the
family were able to enter and leave without difficulty.
The total number of houses affected was as follows:—
Spring Lane Nos. 38 to 64.
Willow Farm Cottages Nos. 1, 2 and 3, and factoiies adjoining.
Essex Cottages Nos. 1, 2 and 3, and factories adjoining.
Lea Villa (Essex Wharf).
Otley Terrace
Lea Bx'idge Road Nos. 110 to 130 and factories adjoining.
Licensed premises ' 'Ship Aground''.
Old Boat House rear of "Ship Aground".
1, Middlesex Wharf, Lea Bridge Road.
The position was by far most serious in the Spring Lane area
and the Essex Wharf area where the water level rose between
4ft. Oins. and 5ft. Oins. above ground floor level.
It was not possible to reach the Willow Farm Cottages in a
boat because of the swift running current but it was possible to
shout, and the occupants stated that they were in no immediate
danger or need.
On Saturday morning the water was still rising and at Spring
Lane further requests were received from some of the remaining
tenants to be removed from their houses, and the weather conditions
generally were very bad. The Fire Brigade were called and surveyed
the situation with a view to bringing these people out of their houses,
but they found the water too deep for their equipment, and the
Sanitary Inspector made arrangements with the police to obtain
a boat which would enable the rescue to be effected. Owing to
darkness and the snowstorm, the attempt had to be abandoned until
Sunday morning after the officers had satisfied themselves that the
people were quite safe in their houses.