The New York herald., 1879-03-15
HUDSON RIVER NAVIGATION.
DEPARTURE OF THE PIONEER VESSEL TO CUT A
PASSAGE THROUGH THE IcE-THE USUAL

DEPARTURE OF THE PIONEER VESSEL TO CUT
PASSAGE THROUGH THE IcE-THE USUAL
SPRING BREAKUP.
Navigation of the Hudson River for 1879 has been
practically opened. The pioneer boat is the pro-
peller John L. Hasbrouck. which. with the double
deck barge Susquehanna in tow, left pier 35 at six
O'Clock on Wednesday evening. At Newburg the
barge left and the Hasbrouck proceeded to
make her way to Poughkeepsie. Both vessels have
been overhauled and freshly painted, and each is
heavily sheathed with copper. The Hasbrouck en-
joys. by reason Of her sharp prov. strongly built
bows and powerful engines. the reputation among
river of being the best 'ice boat the Hud-
and has of late years been selected for the task
of opening up the navigation of the lower Hudson.
Below Newburg the ice is about six inches in
thickness and quite weak. The chief difficulty was
expected to be experienced between Cornwall and
West Point. in the region of the Highlands. where
the river describes tortuous and the ice
foes have. under the influence Of the tide. aggre-
gated to considerable thickness and solidity. The
passage OF the Hasbrouck from Newburg to Pough.
keepsio was necessarily made slowly.
THE SPRING FREsHErs.
The annual break up of the ice in the upper Hudson
is an event that is invariably attended with
freshet. and its occurrence is viewed with much
apprehension by those doing business living
along the river fronts in Troy and Albany.
The ice Of the Mohawk added to that of the lower
Hudsons tributaries. contributes to the general up
heaval. The result is clogging up of the stream,
which is narrow above Albany. and much damage is
annually done to property in consequence. The
cracking of the ice resembles the discharge Of mus
kerry, and its rapid movement among the rising
waters is sight that always attracts great throngs
of interested spectators to the river banks. As the
concealed mass yet remains firm ut the points
ferred to- the ice foe spectacle is event that will
not be witnessed, judging from present Indications
for two or three weeks to come.
AN EXCEPTIONAL SEASON.
The past winter has been an exceptional one in
severity. The Hudson practically closed to
navigation about the 10th OF last December and the
ice yet remains firm above Sing Sing. During pre-
vious season1 Of late years it has been open at inter
Point, Poughkeepsie and Hudson has frequently
been kept up all winter, with brief Interruptions
The winter OF 1878 was on the contrary, what is
termed very open, the last trip made by the boats
running to Troy having been made on the 1st of
January, 1878. The temperature of the season just
closed has been uniformly cold, and the result
is shown in an enormous ice crop, aud of
remarkably excellent quality. Above Sing Sing
the river Is frozen over in compact mass. The ice
houses are filled to their utmost capacity and the
docks near them are stacked up with huge crystal
blocks waiting for the opening of the river and the
arrival Of the fleet of ice barges. The surplus ice
will be removed first before the stock in the various
houses is touched. The quality is what is called
clear water ice, almost free from snow and of un-
usual thickness The yield is said to be amply
sufficient for the demand Of two seasons
OPENING OF NAVIGATION IN FORMER YEARS.
In this connection, when shippers and forwarders
generally waiting for the opening of the Hudson
for the purpose of despstchng certain classes of
freight the following table, showing the dates of the
twentysi years. viii be found of intercss and useful
for future reference:-