The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1867-02-08

THE COMMENCEMENT OF THE FREsHET-
DESTRUCTION o. A PORTION OF II LONG
BRIDGE.-At about IL o'clock on Monday
night the expected breaking up of the ice
on the Potomac commenced, being induced
by the swift current of the river, which
had been swollen by the contributions of
numerous tributary streams. The freshet
is attributable to the recent thaw, and
will doubtless do much more damage pre-
vious to its subsistence. A short time after
the breaking up of the ice huge blocks of
ice we're violently hurled against the GEN.
tire Of the Long Bridge, and, failing to Gre
ate any impression at that point, owing to
the shallowness of the water, changed
front, and sweeping in an irresistible mass
to the right and left made an assault on
the draw-bridge, near the Virginia shore,
which was partially destroyed.
AT the eastern terminus of the bridge
the damage done was still more serious,
several hundred feet Of the old structure
being carried away, and three or four spans
of the new railroad bridge undermined and
sunk by the violence of the flood. The
last train passing over the bridge was the
7:30 freight train, at which time there
were no indications of the coming freshet.
No trains will probably cross the bridge for
some weeks TO come.
Yesterday the appearance Of the river
reminded one of the Arctic regions, the
blocks of ice being piled in immense
mounds between the Sixth-street wharf
and the bridge. This sea of ice is not con-
fined to the vicinity Of the shore, but ex-
tends half way across the river.
Above the river vast fields Of ice were
discernible, which it was generally be-
lieved would begin to move at high tide,
at about 10 O'Clock, and which it was
thought would do still greater damage to
the bridge, the wharves, and the small
crafts in winter quarters along shore.
Flood tide came and went, however, and
although the current was rapid, the fields of
ice still remained immovable. Tomorrow,
however, should the weather be warm, a
grand smash-up may be expected. A large
number of persons visited the eastern end
of the bridge yesterday, and seemed greatly
interested in the progress of the freshet.
Large quantities of lumber drifted upon
the ice below the bridge, and was gathered
I'D by scores of boys and men, who VEN
tured from block to block, to their immi-
nent peril.
During the afternoon a boy by the name
of Callahan fell from the wharf into the
stream, and was saved from a watery grave
only through the brave and commendable
exertions of a boatman, who, with a self
possession seldom witnessed, launched a
frail skiff into the rapid current, and by
the exercise of the most astonishing skill
accomplished his rescue.
Whenever the breaking up of this i'm
mense accumulation of ice does occur,
great injury must necessarily be the result,
not only to the two bridges, but to the
shipping at the wharves. The owners OF
vessels below the bridge are taking every
means to preserve them from the further
effects Of the freshet.
The canal is nearly full, and gradually
rising. At Tenth street the water is near
ly as high as it was last spring, and cellars
below the avenue are flooded to such an
extent as to render them at present useless.
National Republican.