The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-01-24
The ICE BLOCKADE.
"A Natural Bridge Over the
East River.
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The Ice Bridges Of 1852, 1854,
1855 and 1867.
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The River Crossed by Thousands Of
Persons on Foot.
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Thrilling Scenes, Incidents and
Casualties.
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bridging across OF the East river from shore 70 shore
During the early morning the incoming tide collected
al the vasrsnt floating massesof ice and swept them in
one Irresistible phalanx up the East river. choking up
ferry s,,rs obstractng the channels Of navigation and
eventually forming in unbroken coalition from BROOKLYN
70 New York This latter event pas the great excite
rnent Of the hour and whom ss actual accomplishment
became known the spirit Of adventurous curiosity ruled
supreme The announcement Of natural bridge having
been thrown across the deep wide waters OF the East
river spread like wd6re, and hundreds, who seldom
patronned the ferry conveyances, felt an ire
sistble impulse 70 cross the river under the
highly exciting circumstances OF the occasion
spectacle novel il perous presented itself TO
the spectators both shores, hundreds upon hun
dreds of venturesome pedestrians in continuous files
wsnded their way the fral structure from side
side with cautious and measured steps, and others
running with reckless heed If intent making the
passage any risk, and creating for themselves
OF adventure. Thousands of lockers thronged the
wharyes and ferry slips shouting by turns encourage
warning TO those who embraced the risk Of at
tempting journey over.
Those who first succeeded in reaching the New York
side from Brooklyn lionzed their arrival. Pale
and painting they scrambled up the piers while cheer
after cheer rent the air and hundreds of eager
stretched out TO assist them to terra frfno The
contagon for crossing the sloppy and slippery highway
and plnnged into the hazardous expedition with much
zest the reckless explorers
ICE sLocKapE or 1852
On the morning Of January q, 1852, similar
were enacted the East to those Of yesterday.
For few days previous the cold had been intense the
rivers, especially the East we're nearly choked with
floating fragments Of ice, seriously impeding the ferry
boats and eTectuay putting stop to ordinary traffic.
On the morning OF the 21t the very Of obstruction
was reached, and would-be passengers to either
city arrived 1t the ferries to discover the boats
confined by The Ice King Hundreds and thousands Of
people inei both shores unable by their usual mod,
Of conveyance 10 cross over At the Fulton ferry
Individual moro courageous than his associates,
determined TO ny the strength Of the leo thai nov
covered the river, aud resolved to foot ACROSS His
progress watched with Interest Some cautiDncd
him sganst the rash attempt others expressed the
opinion that tine surface sufficiently strong while
many, with knowing winks and significant shakes or tho
head fss satisfied that the undertaking would certainly
result In DISASTER Az length BIO was sean TO reach the
Brooklyn Shore wher. he received with loud vel
oome and The OF the Bronkly which sent
ap his arrival we're answered back the clear
ing cir by the New Workers Others now prepared to
follow, and before long procession was formed and
commenced its progress. AT the South and Hamilton
TO vary the scene I sieish was seen to cross.
The tide at ten A. began 10 ebb and the ice began 70
exhibit. signs Of breaking up and 70 those Who were on
sars and seriously thought ri reaching tho shore With
al possible despatch On approaching shsy perceived
twenty feet been sspased from the shore After CON.
siderable delay. however, much westiug several falls,
AID Of ropes planks and other meanx Numerous hair
oeath escapes were experienced during the breaking
mp, and in few hours travel with some difcuy, was
resumed and the incidents OF the day became things Of
che past. @@ ~ t'tA&8 I9tA
THE ICE LINK or 1880
was also formed BY floating PARTICLES Of icc driven TO-
gelhsr by the action Of the tide, and brought TO
Blockade when the tide has reached It's xcnth II was
the morning Of January g. and the bridge formed
1t nearly tie same locality as those Of the two previous
Non working along the docks were rs attracted by the
spectacle and some suspenaed work 10 enter into more
specabe proportions began to discuss the probabilities
OF passage 10 the other SIDE One clerical gentleman.
we'll known IN the City Of Churches among tho first
20 attempt the hazardous undertaking Of crossing and
from ths numbers who lined tho shore. several werc in
idea OF getting drowned with such o COM
psnon flashed NO doubt, upon tho minds Of som",
able advocate could not have accompanied them beyond
the vale Of death and plead the cxtcnuation or their
forthcoming. for an admission TO another and better
world, devoid OF snow blockndes and iccb0und ferry
boat. For about two hours the bridge remained many
effected crossing and when the action Of tho tidal flow
destroyed the structure several compelled 10 cry
Tor help from their frozen islands they carried by
che current down the stream. Tugboats brought
into rsquisson, and the reckless adventures, half
position. VI F
In the ssme places nothing Of interest occurring, how
beyond the formation CEILING for special notice
formed. but was speedily swept away by the action o.
Gle water and the exertons Of tho tugs and ferry boats
o.scoyssI ,. Or r.s e. aaiDa. o. rssrsapA, :.
enjoying the exhilsraiins pastlme OF snswbaiing
foot Of Peck slip, thought they dIrcernsd the
. notion IN midrivsr and declare the blockade COM
pee Full Of fun and adventure and possbly stInu-
Brooklyn Al any cost Bet vas imprcvssd, 70 lena
additional charm 70 the nndsvtakins, and whoever
Ssv s ~a % g %
s,sw, like pair Of Arctic sxploscrs Their course
:, n,s sou'hsy tcsIowss shs closely welded ics
the zee fro both shorss securely csmented aud
on, 70 ssrcnpssy them Their nssds were INN -iiatsis
made up No one else should rob them Of the Glory of
% s es, rSoh
them few minstes V Dsforssts wharf below Fulton
ferry, in Brooklyn n the meantime large number OF
persons had assembled to wtness the feat and the
arrival Of the winning hero shout wss sent up 10 recog
aiticu cs the daring deed.
Tie ice forming this extraordinary connecting link be-
tween New York and Brooklyn extended nearly quarter
OF mite In breadth IRON Fulton ssrsss IN the latter 10
Peck slip and Fulton greet in the former city. Driven
by the tidal current mp the river In Immense masses Il
pc.v nm boa On .bs vSsry. s's ss
se required but The utevval bsewssn the reaction Of
che flood tide TO become wedgcd 10 one solid It's
=
SNOW that formed natural carpet for the numerous
feet that afterwards paced above IL 9.x
About eleven o'clock the Ice dritted down the river
from Fulton ferry, in New York. and formed another
bridge between the Wall street ferry and the Fulton
landing on the other side. t M
- s sCRsRs ALONG the sHosn sqsa-
Every available spot, no matter how dangerous or un
comfortable had ~ occupants. who with eager and AK
ous eyes followed the progress Of the daring spirits who
now darkensd the snowy surface. The bright, warm
rays q the sun lent charm 70 the picture now pre-
umoSae the sahiseess ana nunber lIned the yesses,
sides - they ~ n We docks g. Desiring more promi
prospsct Some, perchsd upon plea discussed the du-
ration, the dangers and the reckleesncss or The adyen
surers Macy ienued ominoms WARNINGS OF dipastsrs,
Others jpcussy hintsd at the plsassai prospect Of
BATH and NOT until real danger exhibited itself IN the
breaking up and drifting Of the ice was evity hushed
and serious sxsrion 70 render assistance chesrfuly ten
dered. y 81 fsHtN1 sNal f~R tt6.@ ~ a ia +
.Ff TEE rsocnraos on RIM sRsDaR.
When confidence In the stability Of The structure, even
for brcf haR hour became diused. the crowds that
appeared the icy highway formed vast PROCESSION
Of moving humanity, embracing al ages and conditions