The New York herald., 1868-03-11


The Ice Gorses in the River-Thc Thnw and
nm Expected Freshet-Thc Channel 10 be
Opened by TOrpcd0es.
ALBANY. March 10, 1893.
The present mild weather, which has come as sud-
denly as the winter protracted and severe is at
tended with thaw which has already covered the
Ice In the river with surface OF water. Farther up
the loose ice which started during the tEaw OF De-
cember has received so many accumulations that
mass OF Ice several feet in height has accumulated
against the railroad bridge and threatens TO break
away at any moment and carry with 1t immense de-
sruction to the docks, elevators and warehouses on
the river 'front.' The apprehension Of damage Is all the
greater from the fact that everything in this vicinity
just now Is in a liquid state. The streets are
running with water and every brook is pouring
its torrents to the Hudson the receptacle OF
ALL freshet OF rare dimensions Is expected as the
consequence OF the present mild season, for the
streets and brooks here are but miniatures of the No
hawk, the Hoosic and the hundred other streams
which empty into the Hudson, and which will soon
bear to its bosom the lquefacton Of the vast quanti
ties OF snow which have fallen during the winter.
The torrent which is to come will sweep everything
before it, and hence the lively apprehensons for the
effect in this vicinity. There is no remedy against
the submerging of the easements and cellars near
the river. The greatest fear is felt for the result
when the great mass OF ice begins to move.
1t was in view of this state Of affairs that special
meeting Of the Board OF Trade held yesterday to
see what steps necessary To mitigate the evil if
not avert 1t entirely. The meeting was quite large
one showing the absorbing interest felt in the sub
ect. Dr. J. Ii. Armsby and Professor Iough, OF tho
Dudley Observatory lad suggested the feasibility OF
removing the distractions with gunpowder, so that
the additional object OF securing The early opening of
the river to navigation might be accomplished. The
meeting was presided over by Mr.. Frank Chamber
| lain. Colonel wilson, OF the United States Topo
graphical Engineers read an interesting paper
hcarsng the history OF torpedoes that had been
employed TO remove distractions to nayi-
CATION both iii times of and In peace.
He advocated tho adoption of similar plan to re-
move the ice gorge in front of this city. 1t might
also be used to open tie channel and give the ice
free exit TO the lower part OF be river where 1t Is
wider and where the danger Of jam is not likely.
Navigation between New York. Albany and Troy
might be resumed il few days by this means There
was no danger in tie experiment.
a letter was read from Professor Mcmillan, OF the
Rensselaer, Polytechnic Institute, calling attention To
the dangers likely TO arise from the present STATE Of
/ the ice gorge.
on motion 4 committee was appointed with power
TO take steps Tor 6Gsting the ice. Powder and nitro
4 giyccrine were both suggested olective means.
/ The experiment VIII not cost more tlan few thou
sand dollars and if it succeeds it viii avert damage
and destruction 80 the eyent of hundred times
expense; while the opening OF the river to nay !l
slon Will restore 10 Immediate employ Aent the vast
shipping capital OF tie hudson whicn otherwise
would be idle lur weeks TO come Ii Ii succeeds il S
worth repeating every sprng.