On the 4th of April 1929 the Briseis Dam broke.

The Briseis Dam disaster resulted from the bursting of a dam constructed on the Cascade Waterway above Derby to supply water for hydraulic tin mining movements. Following unprecedented precipitation of 450 millimetres during the premature two days, on 4 April 1929 a deluge of 125 millimetres fell in individual and a half hour on the catchment area above the Briseis Dam.

The effect flood broke the dam, and a gigantic wall of and added buildings and streaming into the workings of the Briseis Mine. Fourteen lives were distracted, including one family of five who were arrive to a meal when their home was carried away. Senior Constable William Taylor was assigned the Royal Humane Society Medal and the King George Medal for bravery in saving eight stranded miners.