Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1875-03-18
Disastrous Eresheta in--Penn.
sylvania and New
York.
GREAT DEVASTATION OF PROP.
ERTY,
Bridges Washed Away, Buildings
Submerged, and General
Suffering.
Railroad Travel Seriously Impeded.

New York, March II. A Pittston, Pa, special
says at o'clock last evening three spans If the
upper bridge, built by the Lackawanna Railroad
for the passage of its trains and valued at Sl20,-
OO0 gave way and portion Of the wreck caught
on the lower passenger bridge, new structure
coming directly into town, and which cost $780,
900. Between this and the railroad bridge is an
other long covered bridge, built during the war at
cost of 500 900.
messenger who managed to cross over the
latter bridge at O'Clock, reports that the banks
on the west side are overlooking and the cellars
OF elegant residences along the river front rapidly
filling up.
Intense excitement prevails on both sides of the
! Susquehanna. The land lies low and the water
threatens to inundate the locality. Many houses
are submerged and the occupants are flying for
safety.
In West Pittston the river is making terrible in
roads on valuable property. The flood covered
the lower portion of the place and the greatest
apprehensons are felt for the safety of several
dwellings.
At o'clock a.. m. the ice began to move out
suddenly ard with it one span Of the magnificent
new bridge. Two men were on it at the time, but
were rescued, when out swung three more spans.
This cleared the new bridge with the exception of
the east span.
! Within ten minutes Of tie first catastrophe loud
sounds came from the direction of the old bridge,
about quarter of mile up the stream, and in a
moment after, that structure was also swept out
into the current and was carried away. The loss
IN dyes alone is not less than half million of
dollars.
O'Clock a. m.-The Barrett bridge has Just
been swept away. The Railroad bridge from
above came floating down with irresistible force
and swept away the bridge as if it had been
read. The suspension bridge, eight miles below
is now dsomed.
Danville, March II. The bridge over the Sus-
quchanna at this place has been carried away
There is an ice gorge between here and Sunbury
railroad connection is cut oif.
Wlkesbarre, Pa, March II. The ice in the
Susquehanna river became gorged above here for
miles between 10 and II o'clock last night and the
breakwater caused q great amount Of damage.
The water was two feet higher than in 1865 and
ran over yard fences and flooded houses in est
Pittston street. At 100 o'clock this morning the
ice began to break and move by the city, but a
gorge was formed at the island mile below here
and the river five feet in ten minutes and kept
coming up until the ice touched the bridge. Then
1t stopped and remained stationary till daylight,
since which it has fallen over a foot Cakes of ice
over four feet thick are piled up against the bridge
and place that structure in great danger.
This morning the two wagon bridges at Pittston
were carried away, the railroad bridge having
gone early in the evening.
The ice below the gorge at the island is not yet
broken at ALL and should the one above Wilkes
barre-which caused the submcrgins Of West
Pittston-give way first, the danger here would
be great.
The weather grew colder this morning and all
the small streams are frozen up.
Wilkesbare, Up m. The ice still remains sta
tionary here and there has been NO fall Of water
since afternoon.
The cellars of the houses on River street are
filed with water, and the gas works have several
feet of water in them. The whole city is in
darkness, candles and lamps furnishing the only
lights. Travel between here and Kingston has
stopped since last night, the flats being entirely
submerged, and the bridge being considered un-
safe. The weather has heen gradually growing
colder. and everything will be frozen solid to-
night. This undoubtedly prevented the bridge
at this place being carried away. and should a
gentle thaw follow, the enormous mass of ice may
90 down without further damage, but if the thaw
should be Sudden the devastation would be all
the greater.
Port Jervis, n. u, March II, 6 80 a. N. The
ice has swept through every barrier above here,
and is coming rapidly with ten feet Of water to
this place. At six o'clock the large shop whistle
summoned the people to look out for the coming
food.
"a. m.-The water is rising here very rapidly
and King street is now inundated. The ice is
damming up at the head of Tie gorge, but the
gorge at this place shows no signs Of weakening.
The Delaware Railroad bridge three miles west,
has been swept away
SIP. M.-Two spans of the iron bridge have
lodged in bend at Beverkill, three miles below
this place. They will be removed as soon as the
weather allows. The other span passed Milford.