The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-03-28
SPANISH AND CUBAN TRADE.
THE COMING FLOOD.

RAPID MELTING OF SNOW AND ICE-CONDITION
OF THE RIVER AT DELAWARE GAP AND
NEIGHBORHOOD-THE THREATENINGs AND
Observation-Disclosures FOR THE WORST.
DELAWARE WATER GAP, March 81. 1875.
The rapid melting of the snow along the line Of
the Delaware River Is already having Its effect in
visible rise In the stream. The heavy snow
banks that were to be seen here yesterday have
dissolved In many places almost entirely. The
rain storm OF yesterday was not serious,
but the thaw continued all night. The
solid Ice in the river is beginning to separate
from the shores, and as 1t does not seem possible
that there will be another freezing spell the
breakup may occur within day or two. The
channel made by the Delaware and Lackawanna
Is now about three-quarters OF mile above the
Cap and near the foot Of a rift where there Is
slight jam OF ice that has showed down from the
head OF the rapid. heavy charge OF powder Is
to be exploded in the centre of that.
AWAITING THE FLOOD.
There are no means OF communication with the
head OF the gorge except by q wagon road, which
makes the distance twenty-six miles. AS no
measures have been taken to keep this and other
places informed as to the state OF the water and
the situation OF affairs generally up the river,
comparatively little will be known OF the move
ment OF the flood until 1t comes rushing down
upon the Gap. From here down the river there Is
telegrapnc communication, ana places below
its result here until the Office succumbs to the
Hood, as 1t is almost certain to do before the great
body CT ice makes It's way through the Gap.
THE EASTON WAGON BRIDGE
Nothing is to oe done with the Portland or
Easton wagon bridges. l visited the former to-
day. 1t Is u covered wooden structure, probably
sou feet long. 1t rests on three piers, which,
according to the water marks painted on the mid
suspension Bridge at Port Jervs was nearly that
high above the water, and when the gorge gave
way and the Ice mad free passage the cakes
nea the from ,tron s p aSss
and 1t IS question whether they would
have withst0od the terrible Dattering or
all the Ice that was yet to pass It, even If the rail-
road bridge had not carried it away. The Port
on lis piers, Is all wood, and ii the Hood rises to
anywhere near the point 1t is declared IL must,
the bridge Will be lifted bodily from It's foundation
and carried down with great force against the
the same length as the wooden bridge, but is
higher from the river. 1t has an ad-
vantage over the Erie Bridge at Port Jervis, as
none OF the braces hang beneath 1t. That advan-
tage will amount TO nothing If the Portland Bridge
goes, Tor the splendid iron structure Will be un-
able to Withstand the united forces OF fOOd and
Ice Drought to Dear against 1T.
The village OF IOrtland Is situated on low
ground, sopng down to the river edge A food
as hlgh az the one that swept bV Port Jervis
Will make short work OF large portion
of the place, including the track and
depot OF the Delaware and Lacka-
wanna Railway. There are other hamlets on
each side OF the river below, IN the very track
OF the expected Iuundation. The situation OF
the two bridges mentioned Is similar to that OF
the toll and railroad bridges at EastOn vet, with
hundreds OF thousands Of dollars at stake, the
companies are content TO take their chances.
THIS may be wise. but In the light OF recent events
In both this and tue Susquehanna valley 1t does
not have that appearauCe.