The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1875-03-27
ICE GORGE.
HAvRE DE GRACE, Nd,
Annh o. 1S-S

HAFRE DE GRACE, No.,
March %, 1875.
Mr.. EDIToR:-Not having the pleasure
of being a resident of Port Deposit at this
time, but having changed our residence to
this place since our last writing, we will
not forget The Wing, although other things
should be neglected.
PORT DEPOSIT.
1t is almost useless to say anything about
the town of Port Deposit, as it is by this
time known what a wreck Of ruin the town
has been thrown into by the breaking up
of the ice and the overflow of the water.
The condition throughout has far surpassed
anything ever seen by the oldest nhabit
ants of the town. The water has been at
least three feet higher than at any previous
date known, aud from what we can gather
from different sources, this food will cause
more loss of property than any previous
one. In fact we have heard it expressed
that this gorge finishes the town. Some of
the firms fear are completely ruined
beyond a very easy recuperation. So much
has been said through the daily press that
we are at a loss to add any new features of
the situation. Suffice it to say that the
many families who were driven from their
homes, have now returned to find furniture,
carpets, etc, ruined. The floor was covered
more than an inch with mud, and every
thing presents horrible, disagreeable ap-
pearance. The railroad is covered with ice
from ten to twenty feet for distance of at
least three miles, and the companies have
some two or three hundred men employed
throwing the ice off and clearing the track.
1t is thought, should there be no change in
the river, that it will be at least three
weeks before trains can run through the
town. The telegraph poles are knocked
down and washed away from one end OF
the town to the other; the Atlantic &
Pacific wires have been broken down across
the river. The Office of the A. & p. Co.
was filled some five or six feet with water,
and the papers, books, etc, of the Com
pany, together with some private property
of the operator were completely luim"d.
The Company have rebuilt their wire across
the railroad bridge at Havre de Grace, and
have now established temporary Office in
that town. The Depot at Port is sur
rounded by huge cakes of ice, and presents
quite "cool aspect" indeed. kilograms
just at hand say there has been continual
rain and snow up the river for over twenty
four hours, and the prospects are that the
half has not been seen, and is not over.
HAvRE DE GRACE
has been somewhat damaged too, but moth
ing in comparison with Port. The houses
at the Basin here, at the end of Tide Water
Canal, were partly submerged, and several
gentlemen at this place will lose consider
able. Nothing can be done to prevent
further damage, and trust in Providence
for help in this perlous time of need is all
that any of us can do, hoping He may rule
it all well. The Commissioners have men
at work on the street, clearing away the
ice, and there is a pathway clear through
the town now, but no road for wagons.
Every measure is being taken to give
things better appearance, but working
with knowledge that what is being done
is liable to be destroyed in few moments
by another run of ice is quite disheartening.
LAPIDUM.
The town of Lapidum, Just across the
river from Port. can hardly be seen at all
for the heaps of ice, and the damage at
this point will be quite heavy.
THE ISLANDERS.
The Roberts family, living on the island
opposite Port, are still there. They have
been advised to move off, but will not do
SO, ana Inere is poSSlDlilty tlaC Wnen the
water rises they will be swept away with
the ice. They persist in saying there is no
danger, but almost every one else thinks
otherwise.
THE FUTURE.
A few weeks will tell us all the results
of the late gorge, and we sincerely hope
that the worst is over, but while we do SO
we are compelled to acknowledge we are
hoping against hope.
Very truly yours,
EI