produce high tides that were 16 inches higher than normal and caused waterlogged roads, flooded parking lots and gardens around Hamilton.

Several East End docks also felt the brunt of the elevated water. Trucks and cars on Mill Creek Road had to navigate the water that overwhelmed the sluice gate located near the Marina and sent seawater pouring onto the road.

Similarly, Waterville in Paget experienced the effects of the water which covered the parking lot and much of the grounds.

Back at Mill Creek, a parade of cars, trucks and cycles braved the high waters determined to make appointments with the array of businesses located inside the industrial park.

While some pressed on through the water along the left had side of the road where the shallower water was located -- it was as deep as 18 inches at the deepest end -- others turned back.

Trucks for the most part found the going easier that many cars which ended up stuck at the southern side of the road.

Mr. Harrison Simons of Beeline Transportation, was one of those who turned back yesterday morning when he saw how high the water was.

"I was going to Bermuda Forwarders but I had to turn around,'' he said. "I couldn't do any business.'' At 8.15 a.m. yesterday Mill Creek Road was dry. Thirty minutes later it had been transformed into a gurgling brook complete with guppy fish darting about.

A crowd of curious spectators and workers from nearby business -- Bermuda Forwarders, Galleria Ltd. furniture store, Engravers Ltd, Honda Ltd. and Aristo automotive shop -- stared aghast at the water which they said was the highest they had ever seen.

By noon the water had subsided and Mill Creek Industrial Park returned to normal.

Mr. Leo O'Quinn of the Bermuda Weather Service, investigated the uncommon tides yesterday.

"The tides were higher that usual,'' he explained. "This was because of the new moon which led to a rise in the water level.

"When we checked this afternoon it was about 16 inches higher than normal but this is due to the position of the sun and the moon.

"There was an eclipse on Monday out in the Far East on the right side of the earth.'' Mr. David Woodward acting chief engineer at the Ministry of Works and Engineering said the solar eclipse had an effect on the tidal ranges in the Western world.

Consequently, Bermuda experienced tides nearly two feet higher than the normal maximum tide.

Mr. Woodward said that the water at Mill Creek overwhelmed the sluice -- it lets water out at low tide and prevents water coming back in at high tide -- which is located at the end of the road near the Marina. It was redesigned two years ago and was working yesterday.

However, he said since Mill Creek Road is situated in a low-lying area, the tides govern the sluice's ability to drain the water away.

"We have been monitoring the situation,'' he said. "And we intend to raise the height of the wall (near the Marina) another two or three feet.

"But this may not actually solve this problem down the road because this is a problem for the whole Mill Creek area.

"What happened yesterday is an extraordinary occurrence and it must be seen in that context. We do intend to do some work down there and we do monitor the situation.''