The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-01-17

80
A RISE OF EIGHT Or NINE FEET-THE STEAM.
SHIP RICHMOND HEMMED IN NEAR DREwRY's
BLUFF-NO GREAT RAINAT ;LYECHBURG AND
NO FURTHER TROUBLE ANTICIPATED-1CE
CROP. ..S
The mighty roar OF the river Monday
night, preceded as 1t had been by rains and
milder temperature, prepared the people to
expect a great freshet yesterday; which
was, happily, not realized. Most Of the ice
was swept off by the first dash Of the rising
waters, and the fragments that foated grace
fully down yesterday we're OF small size and
OF 40 great numbers. The wharves were
inundated, and the low banks of the islands
were covered to considerable extent. 81
|, The steamship, Richmond, OF the Old Do
minion line, steamed out Of port and pro-
ceeded about as far as Drewry's Bluff,
where the river, which at that point is mar
row and confined, was found gorged with
ice. The Richmond could neither advance
nor retreat, Tor the ice crowded down upon
her and blocked her pathway in.the rear
almost as bad as it was in front. No DAM
age is anticipated, and it is beliyed she will
be able to go forward to-day. The OPEN
ing of navigation will now soon be secured,
and the activity about the wharyes and
docks resumed. The movement OF freight
having been suspended for several weeks
leaves great deal 0. work upon the hands
OF the shippers to attend 10: g,-s;
The steam-tug Vulcan was employed
very advantageously yesterday breaking up
the ice in the Dock. ..ig
To-day steam ice-boat will commence
operations in the canal, and the packet
boats will follow in her wake. Canal navi-
cation will be resumed in the course OF o
! few days, after having been suspended,
with few intervals, since about the 7th OF
December-an unusually long gtime-during
which the value to the city Of the canal has
been amply demonstrated by rise in the
price Of many country products. There
are boats in the canal now ice-bound having
on board Christmas goods shipped from
Richmond to country merchants early in
December, and some bound here with coun-
try products that were intended to supply
our Christmas markets.
BY the closing Of canal and river naviga-
tion several hundred men were thrown out
OF employment, and to them especially, and
to the community generally, the disap-
pearance of the ice will be gratifying. 1t
was q nice thing for the skaters and ice-
gatherers, but bad for all others.
The steamer John Sylvester was expected
to leave Norfolk for Richmond to-day.
A telegram from Lyncbburg received
here last night stated there had been no
rain OF consequence there, and that the
river was only flush with the banks. It may
therefore reasonably be expected that the
present flood will subside before the "break.
up' in the mountains; in which event
there is likely to be no serious damage done
at any point.
The water yesterday in the river here was
about eight or ten feet above the ordinary
level. .
In relation to the ice-crop harvested in
this vicinity, as well as in the North, it may
be safely claimed as larger and better than
for many years before. The luxury OF
cheap ice will be known to our citizens this
summer, it is confidently anticipated. at
one time the strike Of the laborers engaged
on the ice-fields threatened TO diminish the
supply, but they have returned to work,
and all is we'll in that quarter. -
At 12 O'Clock last night the river was re.
ported falling. It was over the wharves
below Gillie's creek, but not over those
| above it.