This Bible was one of thousands of objects damaged during floods in South Yorkshire during 2007.At midnight on 11th March 1864, the Dale Dyke reservoir in the north-west of Sheffield burst its banks. Water roared down the valley towards the town and swept away everything in its path. Within 40 minutes the reservoir was empty.
Many people were asleep when the water rushed through their homes, and in total 240 people lost their lives that night. Almost 4000 homes were damaged, 15 bridges and 100 buildings were destroyed. This Bible belonged to Mary Ann and Joseph North whose baby girl, Mary, was pulled from the water in her cradle. The inscription inside the cover reads: '1864 - A Gift to Mary Ann North & Joseph North. To replace the Bible lost in the Sheffield Flood, during the night of March 11th 1864'.
Two people died and thousands were made homeless 143 years later, when South Yorkshire was severely affected by flooding after heavy rain in June 2007. Sheffield's collections were also flooded and this Bible was one of many objects damaged.
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