The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-11-27
wes,hata Furnace Say say six miles from

at the dams on the Second division OF the
canal there is less danger than formerly to
be apprehcnded from the excess OF water
during the highest freshet that could occur.
w. T. Allen. the keeper at the Nine Mile
lock, was drowned. He had moved all OF
his family and furniture out in safety, and
remembering that some OF his chickens were
in the house went back to get them, and his
boat capsized and he was drowned.
1t required s375, 900 TO repair the damages
OF 1870.
The Tredegar Company and Gallego Mills
Company, who are interested in having
supply OF water to drive their machinery,
have offered the James River and kanawha
Company all the assistance in their power to
repair this first level.
1t is hoped that the Governor will furnish
some convicts to aid in the work OF making
the fill.
SOMETHING MORE ABOUT THE CANAL.
Mr.. Williams, superintendent OF the
western end OF the canal, yesterday tele-
graphed to Colonel w. p. Munford, secre-
tary Of the James River and Kanawha
Company, informing him that the damage
TO the canal occasioned by the late freshct
was not near so serious on his section as
that caused by the flood OF 1870. p a.s
Colonel NJ. G. Hartman, OF the Packet
Company. also received the following tele-
gram on the same subject:
"LYSCHBURG, November 26.
10 If. &. Harman:
"Captain Wilkinson just arrived: DAM
age from Balcony Falls very great. Boat
Percy safe, but on dry ground between the
| towing-path and mountains. Have sent
MALL .....
In regard to the mails it may be stated
that Colonel Hartman, the contractor, yes
terday sent out the mail from this city for
Lynchburg and intermediate points on the
canal, and the mail was also started from
Lynchburg in this direction.
VELOCITY OF WATER FROM LYSCHBURG.
For future reference we publish the fol-
lowing data concerning the velocity of
water between Lynchburg and Richmond.
The question is repeatedly asked, "IIow
long does it take the water to come from
Lynchburg here:" and this information
will answer the question:
Saturday, gath November, p. NJ to IL 2. NJ,
Grown of freshet at Lynchburg.
Sunday. goth November, +. NJ. 10 s p. NJ,
Crown OF freShet opposite Belle Isle ut Richmond
So that the interval was about twenty
hours.
The above observations do not correspond
with those below UaXalfs mill, because OF
the influence OF the tide on the water there.
DEPARTURE OF DCTCH-GAP-CANAL3 LIGHT
HOUSE.
Mr.. II. d. Whitcomb. Engineer OF the
James River Improvement, made tanother
trip down the river yesterday to look after
the city machines, and went as far as Dutch
Gap. He gives very graphic and interest
ing account Of the appearance OF things in
that vicinity, and says when hgapproached
the Gap the water was rushing through it at
fearful rate. AS far as be copld see there
was nothing but water, water:~ 1t was, in
deed, sight to behold, and rcscmblcd in Il
great degree the Mississippi river. The light
house at Dutch Gap was swept away by the
current that dashed against the bank on
the south side Of the canal. Not YeStige.
OF it remained. 1t is probable that the dyke
upon which it stood was old and rotten, and
that the water washed it away, and with it
went part OF the bank and the lighthouse.
At the time he was there the water had
probably fallen foot, but it was impossible
to say whether the canal had been mate
rally damaged. Upon the return OF the
Craighill to Richmond Mr.. Whitcomb
stopped ut Richmond bar and took sound
ingS, and found a depth OF forty feet. IL
that isn't enough water for the commerce
Of Richmond, how much more is wanted?
GA the way home he picked up Fighter
loaded with salt, upon which two or three
frightened negroes had their quarters. 1t
is supposed that the lighter broke away
from her moorings here and drifted down
the river. --.... ...-
NARROW ESCAPE FROM DEATH.
An aged couple living near Mr.. Kings
in Rockets, hoping that there
would be no occasion to remove, remained
in their room. Fruitless attempts were made
during the day and early part OF The night
to persuade them to leave; but they would
not. The water continued to rise, and
about O'Clock Sunday morning benevo-
lent lady living hard by awoke her husband
He accordingly went to their residence
and found the water several inches deep
On the first floor. The old gentleman,
wearied with the labors Of the day, had
fallen asleep on the bed. The old lady was
IN chair trying to keep her feet and skirts
Try. Seeing that something had to be done,
he lady started on, and the gentleman re-
NAMED to save what little could then be
removed. She had not proceeded very far
when she stuck in the mud on the track OF
he Richmond, York River and Chesapeake |
.ailroad. Just then q train came backing
lown, and she must inevitably have been
crushed to death; but fortunately she was
either seen or her cries were heard, and our
informant says she was pulled off the track
only two seconds before the cars passed.
THE SCENE IN ROCKETS.
The scene in Rockets yesterday evening |
was about the same as on Sunday afternoon, |
except that the water had fallen several feet |
and was still falling rapidly. Standing on |
the hills overlooking the river one can begin |
to catch faint idea OF the sad havoc that |
has been wrought in that portion Of the !
city. Wrecks OF houses and barns lodged |
against different obstacles are just beginning |
to peep out OF the water.
The scene about the lock-Sates was one |
Oi desolation, there being only one house
eft where on Saturday morning there were |
i've or six. Mr.. J. T. Balew, deputy col
cctor of the Richmond dock, stated to a
Dispatch reporter yesterday morning that
he did not think the dock and the lock-gates
were very badly damaged, and thinks that
Dock street will be clear and the river near
" in its boundary by this evening. The
Of the dock from Eighteenth street |
10 Twentieth have all been toated, but have
not drifted away. III;
A large quantity Of lumber and railroad
ties have been picked up on Cary street |
from Nineteenth down. The roof OF the large
brick warehouse situated Just this side OF
The sugar-retinery is badly swayed in the
centre probably done either by the founda-
ton beng undermined or the support to
.hc floors being washed out. r, - g..
The Philadelphia and Baltimore steamers
hat arrived Saturday were here last eve |
ming, having been unable to discharge thelE
cargoes. -.t