New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-03-26
THE ICE-GORGED RIVERS.
ANOTHER GORGE ANTICIPATED AT della
WARE WATER GAP.


ANOTHER GORGE ANTICIPATED AT della
WARE WATER GAP.
TIE ToRrUoUs wNDIYGs OF THE DELAWARE
THROUGH THE BLUE MOUNTAINS UNFAvoRABLE
FOR TIE PASSAGE ON THE ICE-THE GREATER
PART OF THE VILLAGE ON HIGH GRoUND-BLAsi-
ING AND CUTTING OF ICE. ....- .f-.
(FEoN SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE TRIBUNE
DELAWARE WATER GAP, Penn, March 23.-
This Is the point Gt which the Deaware River passes
through tho Blue Mountains. From Port jarvis. NJ "
which hds been this principal point OF attraction on the
Delaware during this OF ice gOrges, tho river
about 40 miles In general southwostory direction
Half mile above this village the course changes to
nearly due south. Nearly q milo below here, In IT'S
passage through the mountains, tao river makes sharp
bend to the east, and very soon turns suddenly
southwark again After leaving the Gap 1t pursues
general southerly Tho mountains through
which the river makes It's nearly perpe ndicular
on each sde and present bold aud rugged appearance
The strata tilted very much, and in many places
stand at angle OF 6j degrees The OF the
river through the mountains Is nearly In the form OF
letter s. The village Is small containing between 400
and 600 inhabitants. II is mostly situated on
high ground, back from tho river and out Of
danger from any intimidation but tho railroad depot
and number OF houses situated near 1t are liable to be
damaged II the water overfows. Tie grea. Ice gorge
terminates about miles the river, and Is made
up of all the lee which has been carried the Della
for about $50 miles, including the gorge
which recently threatened the village OF Port
Jcryis. The mountains and country In this yein-
ity are covered with TO tho depth OF
two or three feet. aud sleghng has continued since
Christmas. Nothing is needed now but sudden thaw
OF two or three DAYS or warm rain 10 melt all the
snow upon the hills along the Delaware and Its lateral
branches and produce general flood. The immense
amount Of ice piled up In the gorge would thus become
lOOsenel and woud pass down the river aud undoubt-
edly cause untold amount Of damage 1t Is almost
inevitable that wnen It does come 1t will clog up ard
form another gorge Just above tho sudden curves
through tho mountains The Delaware, Lackawanna
and Western Railroad would then be covered and torn
up and travel interrupted. Teegraphic communicating
will also DO intercepted this II the ico
ceods in passing through the tortuous wlndngs OF the
river in the mountains the bridges further down the
river will be Ia great danger. Tho wagon bridge
at Portland. five miles below, Is wooden strue
ture and not very secure; tho leo is almost
certain carry It away. IL borne down 1t will strike
against the railroad bridge at Delaware Station and
damage 1t, although the lee itself might pass without
end1ngerng Sill further down tho river there arc
bridges which cannot escape II the enormous
quantity Of ice in the breaks UP at one time and
floats down in a body
The ilrold Comp ny continues its work OF cutting
a channel through ice the middle OF the street.
For about ten miles below the lower end OF tho gorge
tie has yet broken up. II remains ms solid as
ever. with the exception OF aoOi half mile opposite
this village where the current rapid; In some
places open water may be seen. 4 force Of s. mol
has boon at WORK to-day with picks. snoyeL,
and saws in clearing passage for tho water.
Tue channel has been cut for nearly thirds OF a
ue. and the cakes OF leo 1Jltol out AMI allowed to
go down stream. Their passage is ntcrrered with by
uxantty OF anchor ice which has collected at the tower
end OF The solid Ice. Experiments made to-day 20
sha,ter the large cakes which sawed of Blasting
powder WAS used, aud Tue experiment was partially
successful. Tle blasting will be continued tomorrow
with powder, and possibly with nitrOglyccrine The
theory that open channel exists IN the middle Oftho
Iyer at that point where it through the sharp
curves Of the luuiaiI the first rise OF water viii loosen
the fee the shores and allow 1t TO be carried ou,
thus leaving the entire river clear IN that portion whore
the Ice f. liable TO form another gorge when tho
present breaks tho work OF cut
ting tho leo IS nnjer the general super
vision OF Mr.. Griffin, the Superintendent
OF Bridges and Lumber OF tho Delaware L1ctawauna,
and Western Railroad. The weather is colder agail to-
day. and this morning the wind blew very strong The
snow which licll yesterday has been drifting through
the day. II the cola weather continues the breaking
up OF tio gorge will no dOferred but warmer weather
must come soon and tac delay cannot be worry long.