The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1875-01-27
THE GREAT BREAKUP.
Destruction Of Property.
Sinking Of the Old Hudson
and Steamer Albion.
Excitement and Anxiety
Among River Men.
Preparations and Efforts TO
Protect Property.

During MI u"H
nirht QUA steambOatmen and rlyermen
were eagerly watching and waiting
the result of the rise in the river, and
making preparations to protect their
property from the inevitable breakup
which was hourly expected. Steam was
up. boats manned and everything posi-
bic made ready.
As the dispatches were received and
early read, regarding the rise and break
inc of the ice along the river at points
above the faces of those having property
AT stake became more earnest and some
additional precautions would be made to
prepare for danger. At about . O'Clock
in the afternoon information was
received that the river had
given away ut the Sisters about five
miles above and had gorged. Each sue
ceeding minute after that, the large
crowds ON the wharf and elsewhere, who
had congregated to see the sight expect
ed it momcntarIly. But all We're doomed
to disappointment, and not until about
midnight did the crash come, which was
announced by loud rumbling noise
like thunder. the blowing of steam
whistles and the hallooing confusion
of boatmen as they ran hither
end Won. lookiog after their lines and at
tending to other duties. The cracking
and breaking, and crushing of the ice,
and forcing it up on the shore, lasted but
"A moment or two. when the immense
mass, now broken into large foes, COM
menced moving down the river.
At o'clock this morning, we made
circuit along the wharf and elsewhere, to
ascertain the damage, if any
to the boats. Only one boat
belonging to the Monitor Steamboat and
Transportation Company, was cut. This
property all lay below the ice break, just
above the Suspension Bridge which made
nm excellent harbor for all the boats lying
below it. The wharf-boat and Science
were unframed Some fourteen barges
lying behind the ice-break at
Swrcney's Point, were also unharm-
ed. The old K. r. Hudson, at Belmont
landing. was cut down ut the starting of
the ice, and is in very critical condition.
She was at clock, careened over to
larboard until her guards were under
water, and all her standing Tenders were
cut away If the river continues rising,
she will be cut to pieces.
The steamer Albion, lying at the La
Belle landing, was sunk, while the Charlie
Hornbrook lying just above her remained
unframed
Captain Billy Lists new steamer Hud-
son, which WAS supposed to be in very
exposed location, and which there was so
much anxiety expressed was uninjured.
On the Island side, the only
damage anticipated there was to the
dry docks. Extra lines had been
gotten out, and every possible precaution
taken. When the break came it crowd
ed the large cakes of ice against, and on
the strong, massive sections at a
great rate The couplings holding
the sections together, broke like
threads, and they were pumbled up
IN mass. about two lengths below where
lay in sort of a triangle, the upper Sec
ton forming some protectian to the bal
ancr. 1t is feared that one or two OF the
outside sections have their water timbers
more or less cut.
Taking it all in all, nothing like the
damage was done that had been antici-
pated. The ice was so thick and strong
that when it broke it seemed like great
hag stones borne on the surface of the
water by some unknown power, and
passing on with u momentum that was
irresistible.
There is but little doubt that if