The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-03-27
he alarm is general and on the increase.
THE ICE ON The DELAWARE

THE ICE ON The DELAWARE.
THE EXPECTED FLOW INTO THE DELAWARE
R1vER-PREpARrNa FOR THE FLooD-THE ICE
IN THE GAP-oPINIoNs OF AN OLD PILOT.
DELAWARE WATER GAP, March 26, 1875.
The heavy snow storm OF Wednesday has IN.
creased the apprehension OF the inhabitants OF
this section, it must add materially to the vol
ume Of water to be poured into the Delaware in
the course Of a few days, and not only make a
flood more serious but one Of much longer dura-
ton.
THE PORTLAND BRIDGE
The Delaware and Lackawanna Railroad Com
pany, 1t is said, has offered to pay the Portland
Bridge Company $4,000 If the latter Will remove
its bridge Portland before the great body OF ice
above here breaks through the gap and sweeps
down upon 1t. IL is held that nile the railroad
bridge may possibly be destroyed, even then its
chances will be greatly improved. The Portland
Bridge is In imminent danger, and If it should 20
the loss OF the railroad bridge is certain.
AT EAsTON.
At Eas:on long, covered wooden structure
unites that place sand the village OF Phlhpsburg.
NJ j. Below it. near the mouth OF the Lehigh
River is the high bridge OF the Lehgn Valley Rail-
road Oompany-one OF the finest structures in the
country. The old EastOn bridge is far from being
regarded safe In any event, and certainly not II
the Portland and Delaware ana lackwanna
bridges are carried away. The Lehlgh VAL
ley Bridge Is considered safe, provided the
Easton Bridge does not go. IL the destruction OF
the latter is thought at all likely when the first
news OF breakup above is received it VIII be set
on FIRE and destroyed In that way. In event of
that beng necessary tie structure will be re-
placed by the Lehlgh valley Railroad Company.
THE GAP AND THE ICE.
Several large blocks OF Ice cut out OF the channel
IN the gap having lodged in some rocks half N lie
below, ODstructlng the passage OF the separa ted
Ice, 1t became necessary yesterday to blast them
to pieces with powder, under the direction OF MIR.
Grililn. superintendent OF bridges on the Delaware
and Lackawanna RailOad. The work Of cut
ting the channel is progressing rapidly.
The cold weather that has prevailed since the
breakup IN the upper valley has again closed the
river IN several places. At Milford, Pa the stream
is frozen so THAI 1t may be crossed on the ice The
river was cleared entirely OF ice there during the
breakup, and The present Ice has formed Sflce
Tuesday last.
AN OLD .PILor's OPINION.
/ talked yesterday with MIR. Depue La Bar, OF
Shawnee, one OF the Oldest and best pilots OF RATS
living along the Delaware. His opinion OF the
prospects OF destructive inundation from the
present gorge Is decided and entirely unqualified.
anything like The present jam and that IL would
"tear things ieariully from its commencement
clear down the valley"
TILE PROBABILITIES OF THE FUTURE.
The weather Is lowering to-day, and although
the air is quite chilly the Indications are that II
Will ram in the mex twenty-IOur hours. There is
not nor can there be lor several days. any change
in the appearance OF things along the line OF the
gorge.