Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1884-02-01

gested what could he done 70 avert an ice gorge ia
this river, nor what expenditures OF means would
be ot any practical effect 10 prevent destruction 81
property IN case OF an overflow ot fen.isyiN anita
avenue and other streets OF course they VIII be
on the lookout 10 prevent ths lolsInent II ice
above tie Long bridge, and employ any power AT
their command 10 scatter or detaCh such locg-
ment, which is about the most that can be done.
THE INSTRUCTIONS TO TIE ICR FLEET
Commissioner West states that the captains OF
the tug boats which were employed to-day n the
Channels have been instructed 10 prevent any Iodc-
nent OF ice where II is inclined to form gorges ana
they may pass down the channel, and n the same
time keep on widening the channel 50 Lhat the
loose Ice can freely discharge itself
THE ASAIosTAS CAVsEwIy.
The residents or Geor-etow have requested the
Commissioners 10 break through the old dam be
tween AnaloStan Island and the Virginia shore.
thereby afrordng an additional outlet :or the water
In case OF freshet and leSsening The danger Of a
hood IN Georgetown. Major Hams, when asked
about the matter to-day said that he could take no
action In the matter but such a course would. un-
doubtedly, lessen the danger TO Georgetown, and
would not interfere with the work ~ the flats lie
so informed Capt. Greene this morning II Is under
stood that In case OF imminent danger the Conms-
sonerS will cause the removal OF part OF the dam.
FAVORABLE wISD-THE ONLY DANGER Is FROM an
ICE GORGE.
Ex-Commissioner Thomas p Morgan. who has
had considerable experience on the Potomac and
who was engaged to-day in securing his boats and
dredges used In the work or Ming the fats from
danger by freShet, saw this morning a most favor
able sign In The northwest wind which was then
blowing gale.
"A northwest wtnd.n he said TO a STAR reporter,
sis always favorable At such a tine It prevents
the incoming or food tide from making higher
water. The E0rWeSter, YOU see. keeps the tide
down and blows the ice out. As II breaks up be-
low IL goes on much moro rapidly with a nor
weSter than with wind In another direction or n0
wind at all. II the wind continues To-Day IL Dlll
greatly diminish the danger OF an overflow. That
Is the result or my observation for years. / have
always found that nor'weSter Vas our best friend
at such a time
Then you think there is not much danger said
THE STAR reporter.
NO, do not say that said Mr.. Morgan. "There
Is Always danger when YOU have Ice IN Tie river
always danger OF gorge. Ii you have 2 gorge. f.
VIII make an overflow. But II the lower Potomac
Is open and the nor weSter cnn;;uusS 4 great iea
that ditninlShes the danger. Then. the lower The
tdes Tie safer lt Is Tor property along the river
"Haye You had any reports from the upper PotO-
mac" asked the reporter.
"When | was there few days ago" said Mt
Morgan, II observed that tE.re was very IuJl.
Snow III the mountains. The SHOW and ice nearly
al went In the first thaw. Their is less -e above
| HarperS Ferry than below IL. the Ice Wa, moving
then. 1t takes very lutte tn make gorge con
tinuad Mr. Morgan AN OLD iree In tne stream
may stop the Ice and IL VIII pic up | rrmemi}cl
once. think IL was fifteen years ago. when Gorgt
was formed at the Little Falls The Ice piled VI
higher than the bridge and remained there untl
June"