The Teviot, Clyde, and Nith, are well known to be among the largest rivers in the south of Scotland. In the lower parts of their course they are navigable; and all along their banks, nearly up to their sources, there are innumerable mills and manufactories, dependent on the continuous flow of their waters.

On the morning of the 27th November 1838, the channels of these rivers were, in the upper and middle parts of their course, found almost entirely empty. The thousands of water wheels, many of which had for years, without interruption, been turned by their currents, suddenly stopped. Immense quantities of fish, inhabitants of their deep and rapid streams, were destroyed by being left dry, or being caught with the hand in deserted pools; and in places where it was usually difficult for even horses to ford, it was easy for children to walk across without wetting their feet.