The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-04-01
Railroad Tracks Overlooked
in the Valleys.
TOWNS AND VILLAGES AGAIN IN DANGER
The Gorges Of the Delaware StiIl Strong and
Threatening a Deluge,


mented by despatch stating that the gorge was
In motion. The alarm was Immediately sounded
here and in a very short time the streets were
thronged with men, women and children, all
Fastening toward the banks OF the river. At five
O'CLOCK The ice was just observed from the span Of
the new bridge, which the food OF two weeks ago
left standing. IL was coming very slowly around
the bend in the river opposite Coxton, about
mile above this point The several small
boats which have been doing ferry
vice on the river since the destruc-
tion of the bridges were now in great
demand by those residing on the west side.
They made all SORTS OF extravagant bids for places
in the boats which were likely TO get safely over,
and the little crafts were often loaded with bur-
dens dangerously heavy.
ARRIVAL OF THE ICE.
In the meantime the river began to rise
al a very rapid rate, not affecting the
current, however. which was very quiet. At
thirty minutes past i've O'Clock the lower
end OF the floating mass was ABREAST OF the
dismantled piers OF the new bridge, and
the current was increasing rapidly. ON the
west side the banks OF the Susquehanna
were lined with hundreds OF anxious spectators
and great activity among the residents near the
river was manifested. The crowds on the east
side kept augmenting until the span OF the new
bridge was black with people. They were subse-
quently required to vacate the bridge by order OF
the Burgess, who deemed it prudent, in the face
OF the rising waters, TO take every precsutlon
against accidents which might follow In the over
crowdIng OF the span.
RAILROAD TRAINS IMPEDED.
The New York and Philadelphia train on the
LehIgh Valley road, due at forty i've minutes past
four in the afternoon, did not arrive until nearly
six O'Clock, having been detained at Plainsvllle
two miles below this place, BY running on a cake
OF ice, which the rising walers had thrown upon
the track. The train managed to get clear, but
was forced to leave the baggage car standing on
the rails. The engine barely escaped having her
fires put out. the water coming up TO within two
inches or the fre-pan when the train moved on.
Shortly after the arrival OF this train, three trains
rom the north, following IN quick succession,
passed this place.
THE FLOOD RISING.
At this hour, seven O'Clock the whole town is
out and the water has not stopped rising. Every
body now Is watching what effect the movements
OF the upper ice win have upon the Ice dam be-
tween here and Wilkesbarre. The night is cloudy
and is very dark.
SEVEN o'CLocK.-In two hours the water has
risen four feel, with very SLOW current, caused
by the gorged ice below. When the nrst alarm was
gwen that the ice wss in motion the Lehigh Valley
Railroad Company Moved all their trains lying at
the Coxton forwarding station 10 the Pleasant
Valley track, which is located on high ground and
at the base or mountain. Information has been
received that no trains will here on the Val
ley road tonight
THE RANSOM GORGE LODGED.
At eight O'Clock the Ransom gorge passed this
point, but It Is all lodged against the ice dam
below mere. The water In front was running
quite clear and great bonnres were kindled on
bota sides or the river. The river has sought
f1Ia-
the Kingston Flats.
THE WATER DAMNED BACK.
ELEVEN oCLocK.-There has been no perceptble
change in the river at this point for the past two
hours. me illumination or It's surface shows that
large quantities or Ice are constantly passing
down the stream. despatch from Wilkesbarre,
few moments ago, said that the ice dam was
stll firm while the waters we're fast submerging
the Kingston nats. report is also abroad that
the water at Painsve is four feet nigner tonight
than 1t was two weeks ago, when the houses were
almost submerged. There are large quantities OF
ice 10 come down from points far above this place,
but they cannot reach here until morning The
river is at a standstll, with the water nearly
twenty-iour feet above low water mark. II is i'm
possible TO conjecture what the issue may be
within the next twenty-four hours.
THE GREAT POINT OF RESISTANCE AT WILKES
BARRE-DAMslNa BACK OF THE wATER-rHE
KINGSTON FLATS, WEST PIrTsToN, PARTLY
INUNDATED.
WILKEsBARRE, Pa, March 81, 1875
The loot OF the Ransom gorge has lodged against
the foot OF the gorge here without starting It
The water has risen foot and a half mere in
little over an hour and is now twenty-one feet
above low water mark but the gorge shows no
signs Of giving way, and may hold out through
the night. The water is backing up at West Pitts
ton and Is just beginning to flood that place. The
Lenign valley Railroad is Hooded between here
and Pittston. All trains have been abandoned
between the two places ana there arc no mails
from the North. The last train down reached
here at seven O'Clock this evening, two hours be-
hind time.
ADVENTURES on THE CARS
A Lackawanna and Bloomsbury train was lust
ahead OF IL aud ootn we're nled with passengers
The track was covered with water for a distance
OF a mile and a half ana in some places it was so
deep as 20 cover the second step OF the cars, and
came within two or three inches or running into
the hre box ofthe engine. The current across the
track was rapid and carried with It great cakes OF
Ice railroad stills, fences and logs. The trains
moved slowly and had 10 stop every few leet TO
remove distractions. Train No. 4. north, was met
on the inundated track with IT'S baggage car on
the rails. the mind truck having been caught By
an ice boulder. The baggage was removed the
car cut loose and lett la the Hood. Men
rode on the 'front.' Of the engines on the down
trains and the steps OF the cars were occupied by
conductors, brakemen and passengers, VINO we're
all kept busy IN pushing aud kicking away logs
aud Ice DOulders rom the track.
A DANGER EvADED.
At the swinging bridge there was great mass
oil floating ice and drittwood on tue track, aud
while passage was being opened through II,
about acre OF Ice, winch had been lodged ON the
rIRht ~ the track. began TO move, and headed
across the track IN front OF the tram. IL looked
dangerous ana the men became frightened and
tha ladies' began to cry. some trees bushes
however, arrested It's progress, and the trains
made their way through before IL started again.
The steps OF the cars caught against large cakes
o ice Several times ana they were some what
damaged, but tue trains were not otherwise In
jured.
THE RIVER RAPIDLY RISING.
The river continues 70 rise more rapidly than IL
has De ore to-day IL Is mile wide mere, and