The Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1885-1886, 1886-02-24
EVER NEWS.
Diamond JOS Steel Craisers--when
will the Ice Do 0uts.-The Keiths-
burg Bridge...Pick Ups.
DIAMOND JOS CRUISERS.

DIAMOND 10 CRUISERS.
Capt Geo. Lamont, agent OF the Dia.
mond 10 Line, saw the great steamboat
magnate..Jo Reynolds Diamond join
Chicago the other day. Mr.. Reynolds
said he was pushing the work on his new
steel steamers as rapidly as possible. and
that he expected to have one ready for
business year hence Mr.. Reynolds.
who believes that steel hulls are the only
proper ones for river navigation, is con-
sidering the subject of contracting for
building the steel hull barges and tugs for
the great Hennepin canal. which he be-
lieves is now assured.
THE ICE DISTURBED.
The ice in the Mississippi at this point
developed decided turn toward speedy
departure yesterday. The warm weather
affected the ice on the rapids considerably,
and in one or two places it broke and
piled up and came down upon the bridge
piers with terrible crash. leaving clear
channels behind. The force which the
ice gets in coming from the rapids is likely
to have decided effect in front of the
city, and as Rock river is high and almost
clear, and as that would tend to prevent
blockade below the city, river men are
not expecting the usual delay. With a
continuance of the present weather, the
first of the month will probably witness a
comparatively clear channel.
THE KEITHsBURG BRIDGE.
Monday afternoon the new railroad
bridge over the Mississippi at keiths-
burg. fifty eight miles south of Rock ISL
and, was opened for railroad traffic, and
Central Iowa trains passed over it-and
will continue TO do so as long as the
bridge stands. The new bridge. which
is said to be the finest, barring the Rock
Island double deck bridge, that spans the
Mississippi was begun on July 90 of last
year, and the first train crossed it yester>
day at 2 o'clock, just seven months and
two DAYS after the first stroke of work
was done. The bridge proper is 2,055
feet in length and rests on eleven stone
piers. The superstructure is of iron an
steel, and all the work has been done in
the most substantial manner and on the
latest and most improved plans. 1t is a
truss bridge with swing draw. The
approach on the Illinois end is an en-
bankment and is over one half mile IL
length, while on the Iowa side the slough
between the island and the main land has
necessitated trestle work of nearly a
mile in length.
BRIO BRAC
A L. Dawley, of LIE Claire has been
appointed master of the Libbie Conger fol
the coming season, in place of ia met
COrbett, who has abandoned river life oil
account of failing health. This is vel
deserved promotion. Captain Dawley
has been in the employ of the Diamond
Joe line for several years, mostly in the
capacity of clerk. He is young man of
good habits. fine business qualifications
and born steamboat man. That he vii
be eninently successful in his new posi-
ton is foregoDe conclusion. The Dia
mond 10 company believes in civil ser
vice reform A man who is faithful t.
his duty is bound to 60 higher.
| Captain 10 Cameron, of the ferry Spen
Ger, took force of men to Davenport thi
morning to make some repairs on tn
dock on that side preparatory to the open
ing of business as soon as the ice goe.
out
| 1t is said that the Dick Clyde, which il
to run in the Davenport, Rock Island
and Clinton trade the coming season i
nothing other than Whitneys Nellie re
modelled.