i
t.
409 W
243
Yesterday, being the day of the highest spring
tide, the flood reached its height and may now be expected
to recede.
Of the condition of other parts of the Delta I am
unable to learn anything definite. The Commissioner of
Customs despatched a launch up the West River when the
flood began to rise and has since received a report that
Samehui is entirely submerged and invisible and that very
little is left of Wuchow. Of the safety of the foreigners
at these places nothing is so far known. One of the
Canton-Wuchow steamers reached Tuchow, but was quite
unable to communicate with the shore and returned without
landing any cargo. At Wuchow a few days ago there were
79 feet of water, or 6 feet higher than the point reached
by last year's floods which created such havoc; and at
Nanning the water is said to have reached the unprecedent-
ed height of 99 feet, but this is unconfirmed.
I have, &c., (Signed)
Cecil Kirke.
Acting Consul-General.
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