New-York tribune., 1875-02-13
WINTERS SUDDEN CHANGES.


THE CITY BLOCKADED BY ICE FOR HOURS.
AN ICE BRIDGE NOT PARALLELED IN THIRTY YEARS
LONG AND SERIOUS DELAYS TO TRAVEL AND
BUsNEss-oBsTAcIEs TO STEAMERS AND RAIL
WAY TRAFFIC..
The marked features OF the present Winter
have been its extremely cold DAYS and the sudden
violent variations temperature. At p m Thurs
day the thermometer indicated ~ degrees above
Sc hours before had been "a hours after
ward 1t had fallen TO near again. The rain Of
Thursday broke up the roe which had collected solid
fields In the Hudsoa River above the city,
and the ebb-tde swept it down into the bay. strong
westerly wind combined with the next hood-tido to
force IT, in immense quantities. into Sthe East RIVER
where, by the sudden fall in temperature,
It became frozen, forming ioe-bridge,
which, for extent and duration. has not been equaed
the memorable Winter of 1886 Tic bridge yester-
day extended from beyond Governors Island TO the
FultOnst- pier, the Brooklyn sde and Catherine
Ferry on the NewYOrk sde and prevented all travel on
the Fulton Wall~t., Hamilton and South Ferries. 1t
Is estimated to have been five miles in length and in
width from OnefOurth OF me to two and half miles
Thousands Of people crossed the river by the bridge
iiferenT points during the time from 1880 a to 490
D. m.
The interruption 10 travel began at very early hour
The became obstructed that the Gi and-st
ROosevetst and Thlrty-fourth ST. ferries after day
light the boats could only make trips at long intervals
The idaho left Brooklyn m, and after passage
Of hour. made a landing several piers above her
proper place The Pacific Of the South Ferry line left
Brooklyn at 7:3O m. and reached the Fulton Ferry
pier this city 1880 being unable TO land pas
sengers elsewhere Fulton ferry-boat which left
Brooklyn at a. m. reached New-YOrk at a. m. Travel
was entirely suspended all the ferries below
me piers Of the BROOKLYN Bridge after LE3O
m. All the attempts Of the numerous
steam and ferryboats break the blockade prove in
faafNas al nprF
tug Brilliant opened a channel close to the NewYork
piers. Soon afterward a channel opened close to
the Brooklyn shore, and 4:l5 D. the large cake.
upon which we're eongregated about 24O people,
began Slowly tO mVve towards the Bay. The
Brilliant succeeded rescung of them and other
tugs went 10 The stance OF the rest. In fifteen
everybody had b.eu taken the ice except
small boy, who stood crying upon u small cake OF
ice H. finally eipedasAore, chilled aud almost
The Fulton ferry-boats. which, during the blockade
this time had been running 10 the Catherine Ferry slp
this side. soon after began to Their pier.
after interruption Of hours. The Galatea of
he Neptune line wnich LETT Providence on Tuesday
night. down the Sound during afternoon, and
assisted IN cl'aruS out the DISTINCTIONS She was dc
tayed orty eAt hours by the zee The steamer Nara
iansett, from S5OningiOn. soon followed.
The Hudson River ferry-OOats experienced great diff
fcutes IN maAng their passages the west wind having
blown the Ice in large quantities close - the NewYorK
shore. In some cases two or three hours were
consumed Ia making trips. Inc HoDoken ana the
PavOna ferry boats we're especially unfortunate IN this
respect ana the Payonia, ousquehanna and seacaucus
were FROZEN IN tne ce uaOie 10 proceed IN any olrec
On for hours. Similar trouble experienced
almost entirely suspended No taken for
any places along the Long Island shore.
An ice bridge also formed Yesterday between
BlackweI's Island and the New-YOrk side, and It
reported that the prisoners III the Pennentiary were
making tleir escape. The report proved TO he
fOundeI he7evBT, Warden navlng promptly ordered
.he eoaBHsment tleIT cells of all prisoners who
usually work on the grounds.
The accumulation OF ace IN the Hudson River has
vented carrying Of freight for railroads which
through New Jersey from tine city, that large
quantity o. merchandise intended for Southern and
western cities, SIM remains in the freight-hOuses on
tined for this port, remain III al HODOken, Jersey
CITY. and Communlpaw This embdrrdsses
the railroad companies and works injury to merchants
The ice blockade about staten Island and IN the Bay
Vas cOntinued yesterday. In Staten Island sound on
tho side, at least foot thickness, and
people are constantly crossing TO New-Jersey with
Tea ms aud CebOats skates. On the shore at the
east side AT Clifton. the ice Is many places piled upon
the beach nigh, where II been driven By tle
strong eDh tides.
The Quarantine Hospital Ship, which carried
away from anchorage III COney Island Cove by tue
ice Thnrsday and reanchOIed Ia the middle Of the
bay was Yesterday by seventeen men from The
4he BOstwick Works 81 TeHpknsviiie ana tOwed INTO
tho dcks Jf tic wOrAs by the quarantine steamer
x