The New York herald., 1878-03-07
ICE IN THE HUDSON.
PREPARATIONS FOR AN EARL V OPENING OF THE
RIVER NAVIGATION.

RIVER NAVIGATION.
PouGHKEEPsiE, March o, 1878.
The rush OF boatmen along the Hudson preparatory
10 commencing the seasons work Is In progress. and
everywhere the scenes among the shipping OF an
eDllvening character As yet navigation to any point
above this place has not begun, though there Is
nothing to hinder steamboat from gong north.
Between Rbnebeck and Barrytown there Is consider
able floating Ice mostly the cas-. shore, the
main channel being comparatively clear. North Of
Barrytown detached fields OF ice, crumbng and break
ing from the action OF the tide reach from shore TO
shore, but Is weak and honey combed AT German
Town The river Is al-o full OF running ice, and canal
boat Is caught IN tho does and VIII sink. From Ger
mantown to CatsKil the river Is entirely Tree from
ice, but from the latter point north Hudson only
tho west channel Is open, as is also the lar
as Stockport. From the latter point 10 a mile north
OF schodack there are slight gorges but thcrc is
backwaIer OF any consequence From Castcton to
Albany the river Is free OF obstruction except tho
small quantity coming down IRON the Mohawk. All
fears of damaging ireshet In the upper Hudson are
at an end. To-day. for the first tine this season.
steam was got up on the railroad drawbridge at Al
bany, as 1t is expected that boats Will commence
ming TO- day between Albany aud Troy.
FERRIES RUNNING.
The ice in all the creeks leading INTO the Hudson is
broken up. including Kingston, saupcrtes and Cats
KILL and all the ferries on the river are open and tho
ierryboats running II Is thought that the night
commence
between New York and Albany early next week
and perhaps tno nrst boat OF The Albany aud
Newburg line will start the last OF this
week. The fact Is that the season, having
opened unusually early, finds most OF the
through and way steamers stripped and still under.
gong repairs and renovation. This Is the also
with sa'i vessels barges &c., and therefore the great
hurry OF sailing masters at this particular time. Old
freghters however say that there Is need OF beng
in hurry, there IS hardly any business and part
proof OF this statement Is found In The fact that
trcighis on tho New York Central and HUDSON River
Railroad have fallen oil largely within u week--tha,
Is 10 say where u week ago thcro was average OF
thirty freight trains daily the average Is about
twenty
To-day tho weather - quite warm una the mild
south wind is breaking up the ice and sinking IT, and
tomorrow q boat can 30 straight through 10 Albany
with ease.
ICE DEALERS ANXIOUS.
Parties who stacked Ice largely through the winter
are making every effort TO save dispose Of
quickly possible before warmer weather strikes IT,
The wastage on II now Is heavy ana much loss Will
II they do not soon get II 10 boats
COMMENCING THE SEASONS WORK.
II is thought that next week tho CITY Hudson, OF
the Caisklll and Albany line, will commence her
trips, ana that the Catskill limo OF steamers will
open the route to New YorS There Is some talk OF
running the Wsltcr Brett evening boat
between New York aud Poughk kecpsle Tue New York
and Rondout boats viii proUably start next week, aud
tins season the big excursion steamer William Cook
10 run as "A MIX boat between Rond0ut aud New York.
Summer rates 0i lreght may 80 into operation
the Hudson River Railroad next week but su IN NOR
rates Tor passengers not so into effect until APRIL