THE 2015 floods are still all-too-fresh in the memory of those who lived through them.

Not so the high waters depicted in these photographs. They date from 125 years ago, and show the floods which inundated the city in October 1892, long before the modern flood defences were put in place to try to protect the city.

According to information on the website of York Explore, the floodwaters in 1892 reached a height of 16' 6" above normal. Actually, slightly different flood heights were recorded in different parts of the city, says Ivan Martin of the Yorkshire Architectural and York Archaeological Society (YAYAS), who provided us with these photographs.

Anyone who has lived in York for any length of time will be familiar with the sight of flooded streets. It is still fascinating to see floods from so long ago, however. And these photographs are as interesting for the other things they show as for what they reveal about York's vulnerability to flooding.

They show:

Skeldergate, during the floods of 1892

York Press:

The building to the left of the photograph is what became the Bonding Warehouse, while beyond the boats - which are on what would normally have been an area of dry, clear ground - can be seen the back of the law courts.

Cumberland Street

York Press:

Varey and Co, whose warehouse can be seen on the opposite bank of the river, appears to have been an oil-cake and seed merchant. Ivan Martin of YAYAS believes the house on the right of the photograph is Cornwell House, where the Lord Mayors of York used to live before the Mansion House was built.

The Foss Basin

York Press:

A submerged crane or winch can be seen in the centre of the photograph. The chimneys on the skyline are thought to have belonged to the glassworks.

St George's Field

York Press:

The swimming baths, pictured, once produced a number of Olympic swimmers, says Ivan. But do readers have any suggestions for what the building to the right of the photograph might have been?

Clifton Green, almost entirely submerged

York Press:

Eagle-eyed readers will notice that St Philip and St James' Church did not, at this time, have a clock on the tower.

North Street

York Press:

The building on the left is the back entrance to the Co-op. The buildings in the middle distance were damaged by bombs during the war and ultimately cleared to make way for became the Viking Hotel (now the Park Inn).

The boy standing in the foreground with his hands clasped behind his back while he looks at the flood waters appears to be from a fairly wealthy family, says Ivan: he's sporting a sailor suit and plus fours, very definitely not what your working class street urchins of the time would have worn...

  • The Yorkshire Architectural and York Archaeological Society (YAYAS) has been promoting and protecting the history, heritage and architecture of York and Yorkshire since 1842. You can find out more about the organisation by visiting www.yayas.org.uk