The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-03-31
The Opening Of Spring.
NAVIGATION OF TIIB HUDSON RIvRR-FREsHErs-
TRAVELLING ON THE LAKES, BTC

The new bar which has just been formed at Cas-
Teton is, it appears likely TO prove most serious
obstacle TO navigation. The Albany Express says
The entire channel seems TO have undergone y
change, and it is feared, with good reason too, that
the bar at Castleton will be much worse than ut any
previous time. The new island which has formed
heretofore alluded to, at low water can be
foot or more above the surface, made up of the de-
posts Of earth brought down by the freshets II Is
TO the eastward or near the old channel; and where
the best water found last season. there is not ut
present sufficient for yawl boat. channel has
been made to the westward, and through this the
Indiana worked her way, after feeling along
cautiously. This bar, dam, or ovcrslaugh or what
ever 1t may be termed, il disgrace to the United
States and calls for speedy action on the part of
Congress. Unless something be done very soon, il
Will be found impossible to bring any vessel Of
than ordinary tonnage to our docks.
From the Albany State Register, March 30
what sudden and complete change the opening
OF navigation works along the wharves and pier
Yesterday we found them all alive with business.
Portions Of the pier rendered almost impossible,
by the press Of carts and people engaged in loading
and unloading the freight barges that lined it. This
resumption OF navigation has already given employ
mcnt TO hundreds of laborers. The basin was yes
terday well nigh cleared of freight barges and steam
ers The feet of canal boats which lie in it are
mostly populated now; and they are being repaired
ana brushed up, preparatory to the opening Of the
canal on the 18th proximO. We noticed outside the
pier yesterday afternoon about dozen sail vessels,
and some thirty-fve to forty freight barges. The
latter were heavily laden with valuable cargoes Of
merchandise Some were ready for clearance and
Others had just reached here from New York. Among
the arrivals yesterday were three small vessels
freighted with clans. number Of sloops and
schooners are taking on heavy deck loads Of lumber
ut the upper yards The steamtug OswcgO arrived
yesterday morning from New York, with eighteen
bargcs and canal boats in tow The Indiana went
down on Sunday with large feet of barges.
The river was closed this season l02 days. In
the early part Of December. the weather became 80
intensely cold, that several times the navigation
was only kept open by batting with very serious
obstacles in the way Of floating ice, &c., but it did
not finally close until the night of the 18th of that
month. h the last 81 years, the Hudson has closed
eight times before the LIST of December. Within the
same space of time, il was nine times open until the
first and second weeks in January, and twicc-l79O
and lS02--until February 3D. In the majority Of
eases, it has closed between the 7th and 10Th OF
December, and opened between the 18th and 18th OF
closed more than 100 days. The longestperiod that
is recorded is the winter of lS42i3. when it closed
November 18th, and opened April l3th--l36 days.
In 1886, it closed l25 days; and in lSi6-l7,
opened March 9h---Sl days. In lS50--5l, it closed
December 18th, and opened March 24th--96 days.
in lS474S, il was closed 50 days; and in 1913 and
lS49, q days. The shortest period recorded was
the year lsO5--O6 when it was closed bxt AZ days.
The next shortest period was lSil--42 when it
closed December 18th, and opened February 4th-
AZ days. The average time that the river has
manned closed during the 81 years from 1885 to 1852,
is 80 days.
From the Flint pIich) Republican, March 1871
We have within the last few days witnessed one of
the most sudden and disastrous floods Of water
chronclcd in the annals of this section Of Michigan.
Our great lumber thoroughare through this county,
the Flint river, presents above and below us one
continued sea Of water The first rise in its water
tork place about Friday of last week, and it has
continued up to the present time, and is now
doing the most serious injury to our milling
interest. The water mills at this place are al
most entirely submerged and serious fears are
entertained that portion of them will be entirely
lost or rendered useless for the coming season. Our
beautiful BRIDGE built at cost of over S., 600,
forced from its foundation on Sunday morning last
and sailed najestcally from our view All the lower
part Of our village is now covered water to the depth
OF several feet, driving many families from their
abodes. Every dam and bridge the river has
been swept away, and from indications, the Touring
Seymour, below, will be seriously damaged. AZ
yet, of the logs doomed in the river above here
have escaped. This seems a miracle, for we
told there is over forty thousand dollars worth
OF logs doomed in the stream; but Notwithstanding
the Unprecedented high state of the water. they
have Tor the most part. thus far, been kept
We are told by the oldest inhabitants that the
water is higher here than il has been for twenty
years, being about -four feet higher than in the
memorable spring of 1871. We as yet unable
to saimse what further damage the water may
yet do. but fear that il will be much greater than
has been anticipated. We venture to say now that,
throughout county. fifteen thousand dollars would
not repay ctzeus for the present loss sustained
by the rise on the Flint alone. What damages have
been done on the other streams cannot say, but
hear that the damage has been very great.
From the Milwaukee Sentinel. March -
Upwards OF million and "A quarter feet of pine
logs'at Pigeon Dam, short distance above Sheboy-
gan, were swept into the lake and lost, during the
late trcshet The new bridge at Sheboygan Falls
Mr. In'S dnp sr,et aInvn al.
several bridges along the plank and other roads in
the county.
The vicinity of Mount Clemens, Mich, has been
visited by tremendous flood. part of the lower
Williams lost 100000 feet Of pine lumber Bridges
were swept away. and several thousand slaves.
From the Rochester American, March 2ol
During the past winter three of the Lake Ontario
steamers have been lying in the river ut Charlotte.
They are the Northemer, the Bay State, and the
Ontario. These three of the finest craft ON the
lake. and they now undergoing extensive re-
pairs in the way ofpainting, reiittng, upholstering
and embellishments generally. This circumstance
gives Charlotte most lively and animated appear
ance, and fills the hotels and houses with those in
terested in the various operations going forward.
The Lake Ontario Line, for the ensuing season, is
made up as follows:--The Express Line, which
runs through in eighteen hours from Lewis
ton, via Toronto to ogdensburg, consists of
the Bay State, Captain Ledyard, and the New
York. Captain Chapman. The former is q
well known and favorite boat, and commanded
by gentleman who will be greatly missed
by the southern shore travel The latter is an en-
trey new boat. taking its place for the first time,
and is under the command of experienced cap
tain. The Express line will come into direct COM
petition with the British boats the same route
We understand that our Canadian noighbors are
about entering the lists with five or six steam
ers. The Mail line running on the southern shore,
and making stops at this port, will consist Of the
Norherner, Captain Childs, Ontario, Capt. Throop,
Cataract. Capt Kilby, Niagara, Capt. Estes
Each OF these lines connects at Ogdensburgh with
the railroad to Boston, and steamers to Montreal.
The boats are expected to commence making trips
by the middle of April, and large amount oftravel
is anticipated during the season
Marine Affairs.
THE YAcHr AhERcA-The following is an extract
iar dat Mill Ell 10