Wisconsin tribune. (Mineral Point, Wis.) 1847-1854, 1849-03-30
WHOLE NUMBER 70.

the wharves, tearing up the plank-the rig
| ging was mingled together 10 the greatest
possible confusion-spars cordage and cables
of the largest SIZE snapped every moment, the
latter as if they had been but twine-the YES
sells were crowded with persons shouting and
endeavoring to Arrest their progress-the shore
was crowded with an ewe-struck crowd
altogether forming a scene which must be
left to the Imagination OF those who did not
witness it.
Below this point to the Garrison there was
continued repetition of the scenes described
above, except that the destruction and confu-
sion were greatly increased by the accumua-
ted mass OF all kinds of craft that was closely
wedged together for the distance of two or
three blocks.
II o'clock M-The mass of vessels still re-
main wedged in above the garrison, an i'm
mence amount Of ice and wreck is accumu-
lating above, rendering the pressure against
the shipping fearful. The river is rapidly
rising and is already overlooking Water street
at the head of Lake, and foot of Clark streets
If the mass does not give way below, the river
will inevitably sweep through Lake and Wa
ter streets. Drays are busily engaged in ta-
king out the contents OF the Warehouses on
Water street. The steamer Globe has drop
ped down a few rods, and for the present is
safe. A number of vessels have been swept
beyond the pier and are now riding at anchor.
Several canal boats are out upon the lake,
some with men aboard, others entirely de-
serted. The Propeller Rositter which reach
ed the end Of the pier in safety, is making al
fragments TO get up steam to go in pursuit
Of them. If the wind does not rise until late
in the afternoon it is hoped she will be able
to rescue the men aud fetch in the boats
Randolph street bridge is aground imme-
diately within the piers and against it, with
its broadside to the current, lies the Mahala
complete wreck. CLARK street bridge has
drifted around the north pier, The whole
surface Of the lake for mile out is covered
with floating wrecks.
The steamer Sam Ward and Pacific are a.
mong the vessels crowded together, and their
condition is extremely critical Some of the
vessels are so completely wrecked that they
only await the moving Of the mass to go down
The vsseIs IN the North branch are still
safe, though fears are entertained that they
too will be swept out.
The river has been swelled to its present
extraordinary height, not only by the fall of
rain yesterday aud last night and the melting
of the snow and ice, but large body of water
from the Desplaines into the Canal and thro
the Canal into the river.
1t would be impossible to make any est-
mate of the loss sustained. 1t will require
days to ascertain this. Besides we fear there
is yet further loss to occur.
The following vessels are lost; there are
doubtless others. Every vessel in the main
river and south branch are more or less III
jured, some of them badly:
Briggs, Schooraers, &c.
Brig Europe; Schooner Henry Nortor;
schooner Pope, do Gen. Taylor, crowded on
shore; do Whirlwind do Mahala do Aman-
da Harwood; brig Gen. Worth.
Canal Boats.
Troy, Albany, Fred. S. Wheeler. j. Din
et Orange, United States, Buena Vista, Ma
zeppa.
PERSONS CTuS1eds Ijr0Uned, S1c.
3 o'clock p. M-The most painful por-
ton OF the calamity is yet to be recorded
We have reports of several persons being
drowned or crushed.
A boy, the son of Mr.. Combs, was drown
ed at the Madison street bridge when it went
off.
At Randolph street bridge was
-. a.
by the general conclusion.
Capt. Lewis of the cara boat Oneida, was
killed near Clark street bridge, having been
crushed between his own boat and schoon-
er.
We also understand that a man was killed
by being struck with spar short distance
above Clark street bridge.
Three boys were killed at the Clark street
bridge at the time it went; it is believed that
they were upon the bridge.
We learn in addition to the above, that a
woman, belonging to line boat, was to
disappear under the water, and nothing more
was seen of her.
There are vague reports of the loss of 9TH
er persons, but we could not trace them to
any authentic source.
ABOUT GOING TO CALIFORNIA.
The Cincinnati Gazette has been furnished
the following copy of letter, which is i'm
portant information, If reliable, tothose about
starting by the northern rout for the gold re-
gions.
IspEPENDEs CE, Mo-, Feb l l95e
Dear SRI sincerely regret that I have
been unable to accomplish the bust oess which,
| was commissioned TO perform at this Mace
respecting the purchase of maIes. The peo