Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1872-12-28
MEMPHIS,
The Bursting OF an Ice Gorge.
Half a Dozen Steamers Wrecked.
Coal Barges Sunk-A City without
Coal or Gas.

Coal Barges Sunk-A City without
Coal or Gas.
MEMPHIS, Dec. 27.--Last night the ice
gorged at the Hen and Chickens just above
the city, and st two O'Clock the gorge broke
and the ice came down with terrific force,
sweeping off the dry docks, then cutting,
down ten barges of coal belonging to
Brown & Jones, then steamer after steam
er lying at the wharf until it was thought
not single one of the large number lying
there could be saved. The following is
list of the boats lost: The Laura, the
Belle Pike, the R. P. Watl, the Undine, the
West Wind, the City Of Augusta, the tow
boat Nellie. The Thomas is lying in a
critical condition. It is doubtful whether
she can be saved, as the ice is moving very
heavily. The West Wind and Walt are
loaded with cotton. Further particulars as
soon as possible.
Second Dispatch.
The bluffs in front of the city and the
levee are lined with people watching the
strange spectacle of the destruction by ice.
just above the foot Of Jefferson street lies
the r. 2. Walt crowded on shore and
broken In two. Above her the Belle Pike
sunk above her guards supported by empty
bsrges, and just below lies the Laura badly
broken. The crews are busily engaged in
wrecking them in order to save all possible
before the ice changes their condition. Just
at the water guauge lies the West Wind
driven on the bow of tie White Star, the
wharfboat. Her upper works are com
plete wreck, but her hull with $50 bales Of
cotton are comparatively uniDjured. Just
astern and crowded on the outer guard Of
the wharfboat lies the Andy Baum with
her upper works badly damaged and the
boat in precarious condition. The wharf
boat is but little injured. At its stern the
Arlington, Glasgow and st. Francis are ly-
ing with their guards and upper works
smashed. Owing to the confusion and
strenuous efforts of the crews to save every
thing possible and guard against further
danger, it is impossible to obtain reliable
data as to losses. The Walt is owned
by the Elliott Bros, of Memphis, who are
now engaged in wrecking her and saving
all the cotton possible. The Laura, the
Mound City ferry, will be a total loss. She
is owned by Capt. James, her commander.
The Bell Pike will prove an almost total
loss, together with her cargo of cotton.
She is owned by the st. Louis and Naples
Packet Company, and is being wrecked.
The dry docks, after being driven down to
the foot of Exchange street, were secured
and probably will be saved, though they
aud the steamer Pat Cleburne are in
critical condition; likewise the Nellie
Thomas, whose upper works are crushed.
The West Wind, belonging to MasseDgale
& Bowman, of Nashville, is in great peril,
having been stripped of her upper works
and forced against the wharfboat with such
power as to break her shafts. The Undine,
Helen Brake and Summer Koon have sunk
out of sight. The Clipper, tow boat, was
driven down to the head of Presidents
Island AM will prove total loss. Brown
y Jones lose hundred and thirty thousand
dollars worth Of coal, leaving only three
days supplies in the hands of dealers, the
Memphis Gas Works, which supply the city,
being without days supply. Coal deal
ers have advanced the price TO two dollars
per barrel, which will cause great suffering
among the poor.
When the breakup occurred, and the
Andy Baum was driven down on the wharf
boat, Taylor Wells, one of her pilots, at
tempted to jump from the hurricane roof
on to the wharf boat and fell into the river.
He was badly crushed by the ice, and was
rescued with great difficulty. John Clin-
ton, second clerk, and the ar-keeper both
made the leap, but were badly bruised.
The James Howard arrived from below
about 10 O'Clock, and made several ineffec-
tual efforts to pull the City of Augusta out,
without being able to move her. The river
is still rising, having risen 81 feet since last
evening.
Third Dispatch.
The gorge formed a. Randolph again TO-
day, but broke in the afternoon. The ice
is now at 6 o'clock running heavier than
ever. the James Howard succeeded in
saving the UndiDe, Helm Brooke, and City
Of Augusta. The work of wrecking the
Walt, Belle Pike and West Wind is being
pushed with great energy, the laborers re-
ceiViDg dollar bale for removing the cot
ton. Brown & Jones lost $4,000 bushels Of
coal. Sixty coal boats and barges were lost
Their entire loss is $4,000; no insurance.
The total loss by the disaster will not fall
short of a quarter of a million. All the
steamers at the landing here have steam
up, anticipating greater danger tonight.
The short supply Of coal is the all absorbing
topic, whether the gas companies can sup
ply customers.
Fourth Dispatch.
At 8 O'Clock to.night the river is falling,
which is considered an indication that it
is gorged again at Randolph. Steamboat
men are all On the qui vive 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 shore. The Walt
is considered lost. She is owned by the
Elicit Brothers, Of this city, and valued at
$4,000, insured in New Albany offices for
$4,000. her C-bin furniture has sll been
removed, and her Gotten is being saved.
The Belle Pike is 4 total loss; valued at
$4,000; insured in 5. Louis for the whole
amount. The loss thus far will not exceed
100000. The II. G. Y aeger lies against
the bar on the Arkansas shore unharmed.
CINCINNATI, Dec. 27--Of the boats
sunk at Memphis, the ANDY Baum was
owned and insured here, probably for
$4,000. Her value was $4,000. The
Pat Cleburne and City of Augusta both
had soma insurance in Cincinnati Compa-
MES.