Alexandria gazette. [volume] (Alexandria, D.C.) 1834-1974, 1877-11-13

ary or higher pressure
IMPROVEMENT OFTHE PoToMAC The Chic
Of Engineers of the U. S. Army, yesterday
sent response to the letter Of the District
Commissioners, 10 relation to the improvement
of the harbors of Washington and Georgetown
The Chief Engineer, after detailing the old plan
tor single channel from Georgetown to Gels
boro', says My annual report OF this yea,
states that the main ship channel OF the river
between the Virginia draw Of the Long bridge
and Georgetown has been rapidly filling up with
sand and the debris brought down by freshets.
The preservation OF the navlgable depth through
this channel is Of vital importance to the Com.
berland coal trade Of Georgetown,in which nu
merous vess els are engaged, and an estimate
has been prepared by the engineer in charge
for dredging ,haoncl $50 by is It. at low water;
the amount required for this purpose is $42 2333.
The Washington channel, along tn, Immediate
city front, has become 50 shoal as to seriously
Interfere with the trade Of the CITY. The cS'-
mate for a channel 200 fyet wide and II feet
deep at low water is $57,GlO. the aggregate
amount asked for being 500, 0OO.' rhe Sec
rotary Of War will embody the above ia his re-
port TO Congress"
STRANGE BIRps.-Thc Washington Union
says:
"Captain Fitzgerald, Of the schooner Altoona,
which arrived recently from Bangor, Me-, re-
ports that while on his way to this por t, his chip
was boarded by u flock of birds, which he mum.
bers ut far above Il thousand They were Of
different species, and commenced lighting on tie
vessel at o'clock on the morning OF tho 3Otll
ult, and continued coming during tho day, he
being AT tho timo about ~ miles south of Long
Island, n. u, tho nearest land. At night they
took refuge in tho rigging and in the intorstccs
between the bundles of laths. Although fed re-.
gularly by tho captains wife, the majority Ct
tham lirod but q foW days after thoir unexpected
arrival on board; small number, however,
surviving until tho mouth of tn, Potomac river
was reached. Whom Unloading tho laths at
Wheatley's wharf here large number of thom
were found dead in betwoen tho bundles. The
suppositon is that the birds were migrating,
when sqnall caught Thorn and carried thom
out TO sea-
BILLS lNTRoDUCED.-rhc following bills OF
interest to this section ct country were among
those introduced in the House OF Representa-
tvcs yesterday:
BY Mr.. Walker: To remove the political dis
abilities Of John +. Tucker Of the District Of
Columbia.
By Mr.. Cutler: 70 provide for the care of
all animals TO bh slaughtered for food purposes
in the District Of Columbia, aud to incorporate
the National Stock Yard Abattoir.
BY Mr.. Buckncr: TO prevent tho sale Of
policy or lottery tickets 10 the District of COL
umbla. Also to prevent dcprcdatons to public
property 10 the District
Police ITEMS. The following cases have
been disposed OF since yesterday
VIM. Douglass for an assault on Iaracl Mar
ble, both colo1ed was sent to Jail, 10 default of
security TO keep the peace for twelve months
by Justice Padgctt.
Naucy Gurtz and Fila Allen were arrested
for assaulting Ada Haskins, all colored. The
former was dismissed, and Eliza Allen fined and
discharged. The woman Haskins, who was 10
delicate health, is represented to be ia danger
GUS condition.
Two sailors, for refusing to do duty 90 their
vessel, were locked up for time, and sent
aboard.
THE CANAL.--A heavy land slide occurred |
yesterday morning in the casters, approach to
he tunnel Oh tho Chesapeake and Ohio canal, |
az the lock gates and fumes. The damage
will probably cause suspension OF navigation
Or about oDc week.
The boat Five Brothers, laden with coal for
he Consolidation Coal Company, sunk yestcr !
lay morning at the Seven Locks, above George |
OVID. This dcs3ed navigation 10 the canal !
lbout twenty four hours. but will cause no ic
'on7enience to shippers, as there are large |
1umber Of boats in pert waiting discharge.
AcCIDENT.-This moruicg about eight clock |
SMILE Mr.. James Clevcnger was at work on the
'oof Of the baro Of NJ r. D. Cats, at West |
End. he met With painful, and what may |
prove serious accident. The roof was made
very slippery by Ahe heavy frost Of last night,
md. in moving about, Mr.. Ceveuger lost his
ooting and fell to the ground. lie was severe.
y cut On the left hip and arm, and his face is
Scared. Strange to say, 90 bones we're broken,
,ut whether he is Injured internally or not has
lot yet been determined.
4. & T. RAILwAY.-A meeting of the stock
holders Of the Alexandria and Fredericksburg
Railway Company was held at the Office OF
francs L. Smith, esq, cordcr of st. Asaph |
md Wolfe streets, this morning. The following
officers were elected to serve for.the ensuing
year: President, 6. B. Roberts; Secretary and
Treasurer, Albert Hewson; Directors, j. N.
DuBarry, John p. Greco, Albert Hcwson, N.
!. Ordway, Thos. Il. Scott, VIM. #. Walters
md g. Z. Wilkins.
u. S. COURTS. According to the order en-
cred at the adjournment OF their last term
lere, the United States District and Circuit
COURTS were to havo met, in this city, on Thurs
lay next. This mornog, however, MIR. Fowler,
Jerk of the court, received letter from Judge
Hughes, saying that he was called to Danville,
% hold court for Judge Rives, who is sick, and
ordering 40 adjournment of the tcral here un.
il January.
DUKE STREET Wharf.-The repairs to the
Duke street wharf have commenced under the
direction of the Committee on Streets. Owing
o the failure of the contractor for furnishing
he timber to deliver it 10 time, the fouoda.
ions of the warehouse, at the wharf were ex.
posed to the high tides aud rough weather Of
ast week, and fears were entertained for its
safety, but they were aayed by the preoau.
onary measures OF the committee.
DISMISSED charge against John RI.