Glasgow weekly times. (Glasgow, Mo.) 1848-1861, 1856-03-06
Opening Of the River--Breaking up Of
the Ice-Ten Steamers Sunk.


The event which all our S.eamboatmen
have been anxiously expecting for some
weeks, has at length taken place-the break
ing up of the ice in the Mississippi. Not
withstonding the precautions taken and the
time and labor that were expended TO pre-
vent disaster, the destruction Of property
has already been great, and the end is not
yet.
Yesterday morning, the apprehensions Of
all connected with the river were excited by
dispatch from Alton, stating TINT rise Of
ten feet had taken place at that point, caused
by back water from the Missouri, which was
pouring out a tremendous current--the
gorge below St. Charles having been swept
away. Predictions were then made that
the ice here would break up about 8 or q
o'clock p. M, when the rise would have had
time to reach that point. Accordingly, ev-
cry boat commenced preparing for the crisis,
by shipping crew, and getting up steam.
For several hours all was expectancy and
suspense ON the levee. Until ii o'clock A.
NJ, the river continued TO fall, probably on
account of gorge having given way below.
The river then commenced rising very rap
idly, and at 2 o'clock, p. NJ, had risen about
3 feet. Almost all the boats at the levee
had steam up, and were turning their wheels.
Ice now commenced running in large
cakes, and lodging against the gorge at the
foot OF Washington avenue. The current
became very rapid and swept and boiled un.
der the gorged ice in the whirlpools, car
rying much Of the floating ice with it. The
lerry-boats across the river commenced
whistling almost continually, and thousands
of persons were attracted to the levee, all
anxious 10 see the first movement of the ice
The boatmen were generally aboard of their
boats. Presently the steamer F. X. Aubry,
lying at the extreme upper end Of the evee
raised long whistle, and exclamations of
1.-The ice is coming" passed through the
crowd-the whole length Of the levee. The
excitement now became intense, and the
store windows were suddenly seen crow
ded with spectators, many OF whom were
ladies.
The first object that attracted attention,
was an old stove which came down on n
large piece of ice which instantly capsiz-
ed and sunk. Then came an old steamboat
hull, which, when it struck the gorge, was
turned bottom upward and carried under
the ice, 1t swung around against one of
the Alton wharf-boats, and together with a
large field of ice, which came Just behind
it,, broke the tastenings OF the boat, and
drove it torcibly ashore. The crowd who
had collected on the wharf-boat for near
view Of the scene, Immediately scattered,
and at this instant, ten minutes past two o.
clock, the whole body of ice opposite the
city commenced moving in an unbroken
mass. There was one simultaneous shout,
and the crowds became quiet awaiting the
result. The fire bells were tolled, and the
news that the ice was moving, spread like
wild. fire through the city.
| The crowds Of spectators became i'm
Fmense. Foot passengers had continued to
cross on the ice up TO the time Of its NOV
ing, and about twenty persons were overta-
ken while crossing on the thoroughlare al
the foot Of Chestnut street. They made
their best possible speed 10 reach the shore
and we believe a gained a safe landing, and
had no time TO spare.
The ice at first moved very slowly, and
without any perceptible shock. The boats
| lying above Chestnut street were merely
showed ashore, and Tor the first five minute,
sustained no damage. Messrs, Eads &
Nelson's Submarine No. 3, which had Just
finished her work at the wreck of the Par.
thenia, was almost Immediately capsizet
and became herself hopeless wreck. The
Submarine foated down lying broadside
against the Federal Arch, which boat wa.
being wrecked and Of little value. Her,
the destruction commenced, The Fedora
Arch parted her fastenings, and became a
once a total wreck. Lying below, wer'
the steamers Australia, Adriatic, Brunette
Paul Jones, Falls City, Altoona, A. B
Chambers and Challenge, all of which wer,
torn away from the shore, and in compan,
with the Submarine and Federal Arch float
ed down with the immense field of ice.
After running about one hour, the char
acter of the ice was changed, and it cam
down in frothy, crumbling condition, witt
an occasional heavy piece. At the end @
two hours, it ran very slowly, and fnall
stopped, about 81 o'clock, p. NJ.
We present below list of boats lost ant
damaged, SO far as heard from:
Three wharf-boats sunk; Shenandoah
sunk Sam Gloon, sunk; G. w. Sparhawk
sunk: Submarine No. 3, sunk Fedora
Arch, sunk; Australia, nearly total loss
Brunette, nearly total loss; Bon Accord
sunk Nebraska, slightly injured; Badge
State, slightly injured Highland Mary
sunk; Louisville, sunk Clara slightly in
pred; Ben Bolt, slightly irjue Adriatic
slightly injured; Panl Jones, badly damag
ed; Falls City, badly damaged; Altonl
badly damaged; A. B. Chambers, slight
damaged; Challenge, badly injured; Di
Vernon, damaged; Lamartine, damaged
Westerner, slightly injured /; JEANNE Dear
slightly injured.
THE Times treads on dangerous groun
when it undertakes 10 defend Nor.her
Know Nohings from the charge OF Abol
tionism. What does II think OF Tom FoRI
elected on the ticket with CHASE, and no,
in attendance on the Philadelphia Conver
ton ?"- Jefferson Eraminer.
If true, the ground would be "danger