The Sheffield Flood

As a result of the large demand for water the Sheffield Waterworks Company had plans to build 4 large reservoirs in the valleys surrounding Bradfield. The first of these was the Dale Dyke Dam, construction began on 1st January 1859, by late February 1864 work was almost complete and work had begun on the second reservoir, Agden Dam.

On Friday the 11th. March 1864 Dale Dyke was almost full, the water level being just a few feet below the overflow weir. At around 5.30pm one of the navvies, William Horsfield, who had been working on the dam was was on his way home. The weather was stormy, so he made sure he crossed a little way down the embankment slope to avoid the heavy winds and the water spray that was being blown over the top. He noticed a narrow crack running horizontally across the embankment and immediately set off to tell his colleagues. Word immediately spread to the locals and John Gunson, the waterworks' chief engineer was summoned from his home in Division Street. He lived approximately 8 miles away in Sheffield and it was 10pm before he arrived at Dale Dyke with his contractor, John Craven. They inspected the embankment and John Gunson later stated that "when he arrived he could just get his fingers into the crack edgeways". They concluded that it was probably just a surface crack but until they could investigate further, they decided to lower the water level. They found that the navvies had already opened the drain valves, but it was evident that it would take several days for the water level to fall, so they decided to use gunpowder and try to blow a hole in the side of the by wash. Several attempts were made, but the rain and water spray prevented ignition. At 11.30pm Gunson made his way back to the embankment and was shocked to see water running over the top, he attempted to reach the valve house but before he could get there he felt the ground vibrating beneath his feet, he managed to scamper up the side of the embankment to safety just as it collapsed and a mountain of water thundered down the valley.

The resultant breach released about 650 million gallons of water, which went surging down the Loxley Valley towards Malin Bridge, Hillsborough and beyond, through Owlerton, Neepsend, Kelham Island and the Wicker before reaching Rotherham where cellars were flooded.

After about thirty minutes the flood gradually subsided leaving a trail of destruction more than eight miles long: it was later described as "looking like a battlefield". More than 240 people died and total or partial destruction occurred to 415 dwelling houses, 106 factories/shops, 64 other buildings, 20 bridges and 4478 cottage/market gardens. Damage was estimated at the then figure of £500,000.

St Nicholas Church, Bradfield

Due to its close proximity to Dale Dyke Dam, it's often assumed that many of the victims of the Sheffield flood were buried at Bradfield but this is not the case. There are only 3 headstones in the graveyard with inscriptions referring to the disaster. Amongst the victims who were buried at St Nicholas in an unmarked grave were: