Weekly national intelligencer. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1841-1869, 1852-04-24
GREAT FREsHET IN THE POTOMAC.

The prolonged and heavy rains, which, COM
mencing on Sunday morning last, and continuing
almost ever since without cessation, have produced
rise of water in the Potomac exceeding whatever
of the kind has been witnessed here by the oldest
inhabitant with probably single exception. The
food of 1S47 rose higher than any from 1874 to
that PERIOD but the present suFasses that of lS4l
by at least foot in height, to approach very
nearly if not quite to equal the greatest recorded
freshet of the last century
Yesterday morning the river had risen SO high as
to force the water in the Washington Canal much
beyond its banks, and consequently to fill all the
sewers and cellars connected with Them in the lower
part of the city, in some cases to four and FIVE feet
in depth.
A little before noon the water and drft-wood at
the Little Falls Bridge had accumulated to be
too powerful to be resisted, when the Bridge gave
way and the wooden frame, divided into three sec
lions, foated down the stream, striking the second
pier on the western side of the Alexandria Branch
Canal Aqueduct at Georgetown Pressed forward
by the rushing torrent the largest section, and then
the two others, were swept under the second span
of the aqueduct the roof tearing away in its passage
two or three only of the wooden braces supporting
the trunk of the canal, which few hours work
will be sufficient to supply. About noon two
of the three sections of the Little Falls Bridge sail
ing apart from each other, struck the Long Bridge
at the framing on the western extremity with re-
sistless force, bearing away two spans nearly all
of which accompanied the assailing masses down
the river.
In Georgetown tho damage sustained by tho eiti-
- loa Il
dollars. The greater part Of Water street is sub
merged to adepth Of from three to four feet Many
thousand barrels of -four in warehouses damaged
besides groceries and stores Of various kinds The
losses suffered by the dealers in lumber and fire.
wood will be severe in all about ten thousand
dollars.
Notwithstanding strenuous exertions to prevent
it, several Of the vessels and boats lying along
the margin of the river parted from their moorings
and were with difficulty rescued from worse fate
We saw the brigantine FGdelia anchored on the
river bank, several yards in from the edge of the
river in its ordinary state. From this position she
was afterwards borne away, and had attained com.
paratively safe position at nghtfall, on the fats
southeast of the Observatory. The schooner United
after being whrled around by the current and brush
ing away, with the loss of her own flying jbboom,
portion Of the roof of a frame warehouse grounded
on the wharf by the side Of which she had beer
lying.
The Chesapeake and Ohio Canal has no doubt
severely suffered Two or three breaches took plac
within ten miles of Georgetown, and for some dis
lance the towpath is supposed to have been ffteel
feet under water. The full extent Of damage can
not be known for many days yet.
In Washington considerable loss and injury ha
been sustained by the lime, coal, wood and lumbe
merchants, along the canal Numbers Of person
in boats engaged in recovering the drift fire
wood and lumber floating in all directions
At7o'clock last evening there was about eighteen
inches of water on 18th street, between Pennsylva
mia avenue and the Canal bridge, and all communi
cation that way by foot passengers with the ISLAND
was stopped.
On the river wharves some damage was suffered
in firewood and timber.
Soon after the Long Bridge was disrupted tn
drawkecpcrS at the draw the city side judicious
opened the draw, and thus kept persons from unnc
cessary risk by being present on any part Of tn
Bridge
We were informed that the difference OF level b
tween the water on the upper and lower side Of Ii
Long Bridge, particularly at the causeway, reache
over two feet.
Besides the breach made at the western extremit
of the Bridge, we remarked another, little disar
from the further end Of the causeway
The navigation Of the river by our best steam
boats was at least hazardous There we're gre;
quantities Of drif-wood aAoat and il was difficult
effect landings at many Of the wharves.
Alexander's Island, better known as the site
jackson City, suffered than usual NJ
Hughes's family, with the exception Of Mr.. +
himself, wisely left their residence there yesterda
morning, before the breaking Of the bridge or the
would have been compelled to submit to I'll
greatest dscomforts. We learn that Mr. Hughes
meathouse, containing several hundred dollar
worth of butchers meats, was carried off bodily
This food musf very seriously detracf from NJ