The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1872-12-28
ICE IN THE MISSISSIPPI.
Great Destruction of Vessels.
A Coal Famine Imminent.

memphis, Dec. 27.-The bluffs in front of the
city and levee are lined with people watching
the strange spectacle of destruction by ice of
the boats in the river. Just above the foot of
Jefferson street, lies the R. p. Walt, crowded
on shore and broken in two. Above her is the
Belle Pike, sunk to the guards and supported
by empty barges just below lies the Laura
Baddi broken. The crews are busily engaged
wrecking the steamers to save all possible be-
fore before the ice changes their condition.
Just at water guage lies the West Wind, driven
on the bow of the White Star wharf boat Her
upper works are a complete wreck, but the hull
with $50 bales of cotton is comparatively unin-
jured. just astern and crowded in the after
guard of the wharf boat lies the Andy Baum
with her upper works badly damaged, and the
boat is in a precarious condition. The wharf
boat is hut little injured. At its stem, lying
with their guards and upper works smashed,
are the Arlington, Glasgow and st. Francis.
Owing to the confusion and strenuous efforts of
the crews to save everything possible and guard
against further danger, it is impossible to OBJ
tain reliable data as to the losses. The Undine
and Helen have broken loose, and the Summer
Koon has sunk out of sight. The Clipper,
tow boat, was driven to the head of Presidents
Island and will prove total loss.
Brown g. Jones have lost about $3.50, 900
worth of COAL leaving only three days supplies
in the hands of dea 'ers in Memphis. The Gas
Works which supply the city, are without
days supply. The coal dealers have advanced
the price to 50 per barrel, which will cause
great suffering among the poor.
Another Ice Gorge.
MEMPHIS, Dec. PA gorge was formed at
Randolph again to-day, but broke in the after
noon The ice at clock was running heavi
er than ever. The James Howard succeeded
in saving the Undine, Helen, Brooke and City
of Augusta. The work of wreciing the R. p.
Wall, Belle Pike aud MAST nuind ;s-hs'-s
t...-Iied with great energy Messrs. Brown &
Jones lost eighty coal boats and barges Their
entire loss is $13O,OOO, on which there issno in
surance The total loss by the disaster will
not fall short of $250,OOO. All steamers at the
landing have steam up,. anticipating greater
danger tonight. The short supply of coal is
the all absorbing topic, and the question is ask
ed whether the Gas Companies can supply their
customers.
The River Falling.
At O'clock tonight the river was falling,
which is considered an indication that it is
gorged again at Randolph. Steamboat men are
all on the qui Ui0e for another crash of ice. The
James Howard, after extricating the city of
Augusta has got line ashore at the foot of
Jefferson street, but is unable to get into the
shore.
The R. P. Wall is considered lost. The is
owned by the Elliott Bros. of this city, valued
at $4,000 and insured for 1924, 900. Her cabin
furniture was all saved. Cotton on board was
saved. Belle Pike is total loss, valued at
$4,000 and insured for $4,000. The whole
loss thus far does not exceed 500, 900. The H.
G. Yerger lies against the bar on the Arkansas
shore unframed.
There has been no trains on tie Memphis
Railroad for three days on account of the diff
Guilty in crossing the river at Memphis