The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-02-11
PORT DEPOSIT.
subsiding of the Water from the Streets Of the
Town-Not in Immediate Danger of
Being Swept Away-A Grand and
Awful scene on the River.

PORT DEPOSIT, Nd, Feb TO- 1873.
Port Deposit Is not in any immediate danger, the
sensational dispatches of the past few days 10 the
contrary Notwithstanding. The ice gorge remains
just tight 1t did two weeks ago, and there is
less water in the river to-day than there was at
that time The ice Is in places piled up to great
height, but the streets are free from water. 1t is
reported that the river has risen at Columbia five
feet. The water was forced back into Octorara
Creek, FIVE miles above here, to-day, and the rolling
mill at Rowlandsville was forced to stop work. Tie
water that came into this place yesterday was but
three or four Ieet in depth and quickly
subsidized. 1t seems to be the impress
sion of the inhabitants that nothing but
Iong-continued rain or thaw will cause this place
further damage, and can well believe that the ice
gorge Will remain all Winter. 1t is piled up soldly
in front Of Port Deposit and as lar as the eye can
reach up and down the river. In some places 1t is
over twenty feet In height above the usual water
level.
GRAND SPECTACLE.
The scene is desOlate indeed, and were IL not for
the possibility of future damage 1t might be con-
sidered magnificent. But as it is it is terrible in
Its reality. Large pieces of timber that have been
caught in the crushing ice remain standing on end
and there are thousands of bits of lumber and
shingles scattered broadcast over the icy ruin. In
front OF the railroad station, where am writing
this despatch the ice is piled up twelve feet high,
and thirty-nve feet rom the building 1t is forty
feet in Depth All the wharves are still covered
with ice, and the railroad track above
THE DEPOT is STILL SUBMERGED.
and all the back yards Of the houses in this imme-
date neighborhOOd are submerged 1t is estimated
that the damage already done will reach 100000
Various plans have been suggested to get rid OF
the gorge, and the New York press generally has
asked why nothing is donep Ifyour readers could
be here and see with their own eyes the reality
they would certainly the futility of attempting
to force the ice off, The gorge extends from Wat
sons Island, near Havre de Grace. to Rowlands-
vile, distance Of nine miles. The Ice Is abso-
lutey solid, and in some places fifty feet thick.
This Is no fancy picture. but an absolute fact Be-
low the gorge there is new-made Ice six inches in
thickness, extending out into Chesapeake Bay.
WHY POWDER WOULD BE USELESS.
Suppose the gorge was loosened at its lower end
by blasting with powder, or dualine or nitrO-glyc-
erine where would 1t goS II there were no ice
below the gorge there is not enough water In the
river to move the ice of. The foundation Of all
damage to arise to this place s IN sudden rise
above this point. The water, having no natural
outlet by reason Of the gorge, seeks and finds one
along the banks. Port Deposit, being situated at
the base OF Granite Hills, is OF the first places
to suffer. There is no immediate danger to Port
Deposit.