The Evening critic., 1885-01-24
TIE FROZEN RIVER
Scenes About the WharveS This
Morning.
NAVIGATION IMPEDED.
Views of an Oysterman Upon the
Effect of the Potomac's Freez-
ing-When High Prices May
Be Expected - The Risks
Oyster Dealers Run.

The river is covered with sheet of ice,
and presents most dismal appearance.
Here and there along the flats tho Ice has
gorged in great piles, mingled with pieces
Of drift wood, which adds greatly to the
desolation of tho sceno The pilos which
support the railways around the flats are
covered with ice and resemble colossal
icicles. The dredging machines lying in the
channels are not at work, the mammoth
scoops Of which have been drawn high up
from the river, giving them the appearance
Of some hideous monster.
The only indication of life on this scene
Of desolation is the hideous eau can of the
crows which are scattered over the flats,
searching for food
The channel has been kept open by the
ferry and river steamers, which as yet have
had no serious trouble in breaking their
way. The steamer George Leary arrived
from Norfolk at o'clock yesterday, be-
ing about one hour late, on account OF
having to cut her way through the ice.
The officers of the steamer report the
river frozen over as far down as Lower
Cedar Point and that number of oyster
and wood boats are frozen fast in the ice.
An leo gorge Of some extent formed near
Fort Washington yesterday, which the
steamer had some difficulty IN passing.
oyster sloop American Eagle, which was cut
through by the ice while coming up the
river, near Fort Foote, yesterday. A por.
tion of her cargo of oysters was taken on
board the tugboat Rock Point and the sloop
towed to Alexandria.
The schooner Ellen Pierce ran into the
Arsenal wharf Thursday while struggling
in the current Of the channel to reach the
city, carrying away the bowsprit and jib-
boom.
Some venturesome boys were skating in
the docks around the wharves yester-
day, but none were willing to test the
strength Of the temptingly smooth, clean
sheet which covered the channel others
trudged their way to the flats by way of the
Long Bridge, which afforded them much
larger space to skate. Some of the boys
ventured down as far as the Arsenal point,
but could go no further.
As The CRITIC reporter strolled out on
the oyster wharf this morning in search of
news, he found number of oyster dealers
assembled around large fire on the wharf.
A shed had been erected out of the
loose logs and lumber, which fur
nished an excellent shelter from the rain.
They all appeared idle. The reporter, in
passing to the leeward Of the FIRE, caught a
Whit of the heat, which by no means was
Objectionable, and rolling q large stone to
the fire, Joined the assembly. When asked
by the reporter the cause of their being
idle, one of the oystermen stated there
were no oysters at the wharf and that the
cold snap had set in for long stay.
"The prospect 49," said Mr.. w. N. Nolen,
one Of the most experienced oyster dealers
to be found around the wharves, {" that
the oyster trade by way of boats is about
over with us for some time to come, and
that the river Is closed for stay"
Upon being asked what he meant by the
boat trade being over-if they had other
means Of getting oysters to the city, and
what they were--ho replied that by the
river freezing it did not seriously interfere
with the trade, only in the way of prices.
"When the sailing vessels can't bring
them" he said, "they are sent up on the
steamers, and when the river freezes too
hard for the steamboats, to bring them, then
they are carried over to Pope's Creek and
shipped to the city by rail. When we have
to resort to the railroad for shipment then
lookout for high prices. Then's the time
we dealers lose on the bivalves."
lose Why. you don't mean to say that
you take the trouble to have the oysters
shipped to the city and then mako no
money by the operation why, how is
that 2"
"Well, you see," replied Mr.. Nolen,
"there are number of saloons in tho city,
that, to avoid the smell and dirt Of having
oysters shucked on the premises, make con-
tracts with the dealers TO supply them with
shucked oysters at one price during the
season. When making contract we bind
ourselves to keep it. The price we get is
| 75 cents per gallon generally. Now when
| the river is open and the market is good,
tract, but then, when the oysters
have to be shipped here by rail
and we pay sometimes as high as
| 81 per bushel in the shell and 18 cents per
| gallon for shucking and then sell them fol-
| rs cents per gallon, you see, If that was to
last long it would break us up. 1 hope
this freeze won't last long, bat am afraid
it will"
~ see that warmer weather has been pre-
| dicted from the Signal Office, which will
| bring about thaw, but don't think it
| will be sufficient to open the river to navi-
| cation. In my opinion the river is closed
for long time, II not for the season.
| Has the season so far been a prosperous
one?" queried the reporter.
"Yes, most prosperous one" responded
Mr.. Nolen. "The oysters this season have
been better, both in quality and quantity,
than they have been for number of sea
sons past The price we have been getting
too, is way above that of last year"
ITO what do you attribute the higher
| prices?"
"Why, TO the quality. You sec the oys
ter crops have been protected by the au'
thOrities, and were not disturbed during
| the summer. They had a chance get fat
and good, fat oyster will bring good fat
| price anytime"
The reporters time being limited he
thanked the gentleman for the Information
and departed.
OMcers Elected.
At a meeting of the Potomac Fruit Grow.
ers Thursday the following officers were
elected for the ensuing year DIR. e. p. How.
land, president General George W. Bol.
loch, first vice-president Hon. NJ. w. Pier
son, second vice-president; b. 4. Taylor
treasurer George @. Gwynn, secretary
William @. Stierlin, financial secretary
executive committee, DR.. s, A. H. McKlm
chairman Mrs. NJ. s. Beal, James b
Philip, Seth A. Terry, ]. Orville Johnson
It WAS decided to hold the annual festiva
on the Sd proximo.