New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-02-18

Heavy Rise In she NiObOnShheln--$'0aI
Fleet Broke from their MOopingS~fOsS
Heavy and ssenerai-PainfuI Toss OF
i.ifr~ffeaSy Rains in Firginin-3iigh
River at Eynchburg-Th POtOmas'
Rising Rapidly-Obia Rives hn5 TSiJo.
uturics Flooding.
rrrsBURG, February i:.-The Tecent
heavy rains caused heavy rise in che Mo-
nOngahela river. At two o'clock this mOrBe
ing the current was so strong the coal t1eets
consisting of thirty boats and barger. broke
from their tastenings at SmithtieId bridge
aud moved oft III the current.
The alarm was instantly given by b1Ows
ing whistles and other signals, and Et!Jrts
were made to save the lives of the unfDg.
tunate men who were on board tho canal
fleet. Some were saved. but it is reported
several were lost
One man was seen TO be carried nndG8
the steamer Hercules, and another nEdes
the Andes, both floating past on the bargess
and endeavored to jump on the Whee& of
the steamers. but fell il the water and NGnt
down.
The towboat V. F. Wilson. lying Opposite
the foot of Market street. was struck by
the floating barges and turned upon one
side. The Oil Valley was also cut down.
1t is impossible 70 ascertain the extent uf
the damage in the river. and the numbey Of
lives lost.
The river is still rising rapidly. and ~
hall-past ten o'clock had risen seventeen
feet, but no further dmages are appre-
hended.
The food which so unexpectedly COTS
menced in the MonOngahela river last night
continues without abatement, and is Gather
increasing in violence. 1t is impossible t0
Approximate even q distant estimate of the
damage done, but 1T is considered that it 10
the heaviest river disaster ever expeCienceS
here. Grave rumors are current concerning
the damage done up the river.
The loss of life, however, has not been SO
great as was at first supposed. Reports
prevailed that twelve or fifteen men had
gone down at the time OF the breaking
away Of the coal fleet, but only HWO arG
known 90 be lost. Joseph King was knock
ed Oft q barge at Mex eespOrt and drowned.
The towboat y. i. Wilson sunk this morR.
| ing. She was valued at $4,000: insured
| for $4,000.
The loss of coal boats and barges has been
| very heavy and general. At Ellzab .th, this
morning, a number Of coal boats and
barges, together with a quantity OF iurnbeF
RATS, owned principally by Joseph Walton
wele swept away-lOss $50 900 OF Th0
barges Which broke away from the snspcG'
sion aridge this morning, five were owned
| by Samuel Gable, four of them sunk, three
landed at Shawneetown, and were landed
| bN % SttdbICT' ~ Is fl'Ol ICu buut 5tNti az
| others have been secured at points below
| here.
At halfpast eight this evening river Fia-
| ing rapidly. marks indicating nineteen ana
| a half feet. 1t is thought that the flood wilt
culmnate by midnight.
RICHMoND, February T.-HeaYy sains
| are reported from all sections OF the eOuH.
! try during the past two days. and heavy
| land slides on several railroads causing tho
| detention Of trains. The river ar Lynch-
burg is about fourteen feet above tho uzua}
level 1T this point. about ten feet OF Whicla
viii be greatly increased Dy the .lood from
above.
WAsHrSGroS. February 1.-The sollow.
ing kilograms were received at the signal
office tonight from the observer stationed
at Aarper's Ferry to watch the river.
Sp. M.-The Potomac has risen tiyD feet
Fix inches aud il rising yet.
10 =. M.-The Potomac has risen two feet
sine. the last report, and is still rising.
EINC,SNATI. February F.-Ohio civeR
forty feet IN the channel and the tributaries
are flooding. 1t has been raining Scg che
past thirty six hours.