Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1883-02-06
WATER WRECKS.
damage Done by the Raging Flood
and Grinding Ice.
Bridges Swept Away-Barges Wrecked
Houses Inundated-MiIIs Shut Down
Trains Delayed and Wrecked
Lives Lost.
THE WORST SUPPOSED TO BE OVER

phenomenal rise in the Allegheny river
have been allayed as the flood attained its
maximum this morning at 10 o'clock, when
the marks on the Suspension bridge show
ed twenty-six feet OF water. Since that hour
it has been about stationary, and the re-
ports received from above indicate that the
water is receding and all further danger
passed.
During the period that the river was on
a high great damage was done here, and IN
fact all along its banks. In this vicinity 1t
is estimated the loss will exceed 100000,
while the damage to property above cannot
at present be approximated. The greatest
excitement prevailed at all points and both
sides of the river for miles were lined with
people anxiously watching the raging
waters as they rushed madly on their
course dealing destruction to everything
in the way. The scene was grand and ex'
. citing
The muddy current bore on its surface
debris of every kind imaginable. Trees;
fences, broken sheds, stables, lumoer anu
The MonongaheIa.
Along the Monongahela the most serious
damage so far is from back water, which IS
UP into the cellars of all the warehouses
along water street. At noon the river was
rising both at this point and the head
waters, end the indications are that bY to-
morrow morning there will be at least 70
feet on the marks. No great damage IS ap-
prehened from this river, however, as there
is but little coal or craft at the lower land
ings, the rise of last week having resulted
in nearly all of The loaded craft being ship
ped TO the lower ports. Had it not been
for this fortunate circumstance the loss
would have been very heavy.
The YOugh Gorge.
The gorge in the YOughiOgheny broke at
Osceola al | o'clock this morning, and ran
out into the Monongahela; but, owing to
the back water from the Allegheny, lodged
in Pool No. |, above the dam. About noon
the ice commenced running. over the dam,
and it. is thought will all get out tonight.
Above Osct ola, on the TOughiogheny, the
ice is intact, the gorge extending three
miles, and being piled up in some places
to a height of twenty feet. 1t is thought
that the water coming from above will
bring it out.
Damage. Done.
About o'clock this morning the bridee
over the Allegheny river from Herr's
Island to the mainland was washed away.
The huge structure foated swiftly down
| the stream, and striking with great force
| against the first pier of the Chestnut street
! bridge. flew into pieces.
On the Pittsburgh side of the Allegheny
the major portion OF the cellars in the fiat
| part of the point are flooded, as are those
| at the foot of Seventh street and Scott and
| Madden alleys. The Robinson House cell
| lar is 'Giled with water almost TO level with
the sidewalk.
On the Allegheny Side
the damage sustained by the coal and lum-
| ber dealers is comparatively light. The
residents along the river suffered consider.
| able damage, being unable TO remove their
! goods to the upper floors on account OF the
| flood being unexpected. In the first ward
the cellars are flooded, and in some houses
| tie water is over the first floor. South av-
enue is covered and the water is within one
foot of the rain floor of the Exposition.
Boats and Barges.
The Park Painter No. broke loose from
| its moorings below the Suspension bridge
| Yesterday afternoon, and was carried down
the stream. 1t struck pier OF the Union
bridge, and the wheel was demolished. The
steamer was caught at Charters creek be-
! fore any further damage was done. VIM.
| Jackson, the coal dealer, doing business on
the wharf above the Suspension bridge,
| places LIS loss dL l,OUO. 1IlEcG eIuptg lalS
and two partly loaded broke away yester-
| day afternoon. Two of the flats belonged
to Chas lutte and three to r. Wellington
| Two boats were also carried away, one of
whhh was caught at Woods RIM. He
| lost 4, 600 bushels OF coal. The flats are val
ued at 500 apiece, but Mr.. Jackson is not
responsible for their loss and the owners
will be the losers.
Vim. Cambell & Co. lost three loaded
barges and one fiat, upon which was stand
ing two wagons and a new buggy. The
firm place their loss at $1,000.
| Railroads.
The tracks of the West Penn road, be.
tween Tarentum and Kennedy stations
about twenty miles from the city, are two
feet under water. The morning trains came
| through without much difficulty. An eI-
ira head of steam was put on before reach
| ing the inundated part OF tho road, which
carried the trains through. The fire in the
furnace was extinguished by the
water, but were relit without
occasoning any delay. The bridge
across the river at Allegheny Junction
was badly damaged and rendered unsafe.
The passengers and freight on the express
this morning were taken over the structure
! on hand cars. The train was dealyed one
hour and twenty minutes by the transfer
The tracks Of the Pittsburgh and West
ern railroad are four feet under water.
The Lake Erie railroad track is under
water also, but trains are kept moving,
though behind time.