New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-04-01
TIE SWOLLEN RIVERS.
FLOOD IN THE LEHIGH VALLEY.

PARTIAL BREAK OF THE RANSOM GORGE IN THE
NORTH BRANCH or THE sUsQUEHANNA RIVER
THE RAILROAD TRACK FLOODED AND COVERED
WITH LOGS AND ICE BLoCKs-DrPFTCULr PAS
SAGE OF THREE TRAINs-INUSDAIroN OF Ths
KINGSTON FLATS.
IRON A SPECIAL CORRESPONDENT OF THE rnIBUsEI
WmKEsBARRE, Penn, March 3l.-The long
dreaded food has commenced at last Tue rapid thaw
Of the last few days caused the ver to rise steadily
gradually crowding the gorges into more compact
masses; aud the Ransom gorge after Startling several
times during tho day, partially gave way ~ $50 p M.
today
The wilkcsbarre gorge this mornine backed up tho
water until flooded tie ITS, hundreds az acres 10 eA
tent between here P.ansvie and stood elk inches
deep on the track OF the Lehlgh Valley Riiroad. The
trains continued to until p M, when the water
flooded the track for distance OF three miles 70
depth Of three feer, and carried heavy iogs ana
blocks OF ice upon 1t. At that time three passcn
ger trains, closely following one another coming
down from PIttston, caught In the rising waters
Just north Painsville. The river had broken over
the low banks and pouring across the track and
into North Branch Canal carrying all sorts OF debris
with It. The widest excitement prevailed among tho
passengers Men pale with fear from one end or tho
train the other and ladies and children cried FOE
help The bluffs overhaDging the track on the shore
ward side lined with excited spectators, who
rushed to aud fro gcslitUlating n-dy and hInging
boards and poles down 10 PASSENGERS who
were cool enough TO endeayOr TO help tho
train hands in clearing the track. The prog
made was very slow. AID frequent stoppagcs
took place. TheBwater completely covered the car
wheels and the lower part Of tho cylinder OF the
engines and reached within tw0 inches OF The Ore boxes
Men went out the forward part OF the engine ana
with great difficulty showed away the logs, trees ties
and iceblocks which drifted tue track, and
others with poles stationed either end of the
to prevent the wheels from becoming cosged La
this manner the three trains passed over two miles OF
flooded track IN two hour, reaching dry ground al
D. u. amid the cheers OF the hundreds OF spectators
who had anxiousy watched their laborious progress
At ono time great field Of Ice. several acres In extent,
broke across tho bauk from the main current. and
threatened to completely block NJ the track but was
fortunately arrested by cuhp OF trees The water on
the track ran with swift current at times TO vo-
lently rock the cars when they standing stu.
train which left Ptston at p. m was unable 10 pass
Plansville and went back Tie baggage car OF train
No which left Wllkesbarre about 4p. NJ. got of the
track In the midst OF the water. and hat TO he left
standing while its contents were hastily removed.
About 6:3o p H. large mass Of the Ransom gorge
.ed against the Wikesbarre gorge and drove the
upper end downward about mile without causing IL to
break The water here has risen several Ieet Tie
telegraph office is besleged with people anxious for
news from Pittston. Many packing up their goods
and removing. The North Branch Canal ha' ovFrhowed
low have been left OPEN and the water Is thus allowed
to flow off rapidly. The reaches within six feet
OF the bridge here over the Kingston Flats tho river
ia pouring stream mile in BREADTH Slight rains have
fallen to day. The sky couded and the night 10 dark,
so that It is impossible tell whether Kingston has
been flooded yet or NOT.
EXCITEMENT At PITTsToN - TRAINS DELAYED-A
LARGE AMOUNT OF ICE YET TO PASS oUT.
PIrTsToN, Penn, March 3t.-At o'clock
this afternoon the Ransom started. aud II began
to pass this point au hour and Laf later. Great ex-
cement was manifested the people both sides of
the river who flockcd q the banks and watched the
heavy masses OF ice as they slowly moved along Tue
river rose very rapidly going our feet In about two
hours No trains on the L3high Valley ROAD passed here
tonight A train due hero Ei5 a cake OF leo
at Plains two miles below here, aud WAS delayed two
hours coming up al last without the baggage car which
WAS left standing tae track TIe cars at the Valley
Station at Coxton were all removed - safe distance
carly this evening Many pcr'ons residing on the west
Side we're kept away from their homes Tonight on ac-
count of the lee Lat both banks of the river
have Illuminated it since dark. The II usom gorge
this point has been comp Irltycy clear. All tho lee,
however has been lodged against The lower dam, and Il
ia eported that the fats Kingston beng chan
neled by the river as tho dam remains arm. Al ii
o'clock the river is rising little great quantity Of
ice is yet " come down.