Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1886-02-11
FEARS OF A rREsHn.
Condition OF the Upper Potomae-Ar.
ranging Precautionary Sienals.

The rain which has been feared by those
whose property is In danger from o freshet came
to-day. River men looked upon the situation
as dangerous, and the citizens committee at
once took measures to get tug-boats at work
breaking up the ice in the harbor The tugs e.
u. Hartley and Mary Lewis, under the direc-
ton Of Capt l. A. Littlefield, started out from
the 10th street wharf a little after one o'clock,
and began breaking a channel through to Alex.
andria- Below Alexandria the ice Is goryed TO
thickness in some places it 10 stated, Of ten
or fifteen feet thick. It was deemed important
70 oreak this barrier, II possible, before break
ing up the ice In the river above. Capt. Little
neld stated TO STAR reporter that the work
been by any means thrown away. II the har.
Dor had not been cleared then the ice would be
ten or twelve inches thick. and it would have
oeeo impossible to have broken it.
THE UPPER POTOMAC
A telegram was received at the signal ONCE
at half-past ten o'clock this morning from Har-
pers Ferry stating that the rivers were near
low water mark. There was no rise yet and the
ice was not broken: 1t was stated at the signal
quarters OF an inch between midnight last
P Isos Ing quite heavy fall Although the
coast line and has not affected the mountain
districts materially there is another storm on
probably prevent an entire cessation Of the rain
here. While there is no immediate danger of
q MOOD the amount of water which has fallen,
Likelihood, raise the river considerable and
TINS, together with the ice gorge at the Aque-
ouct orldge, makes freshet not at all improb-
eole. The temperature will fall by tomorrow
night and may go below freezing point, afford.
Ing temporary relief
ARRANGING FOR PRECAUTIONARY srGNA1A
In view of the dangerous situation General
Hazen this morning communicated with Major
Lydecker to learn If he had made provisions
Tor giving warning of any changes between the
Aqueduct bridge and Great Falls, the portion
OF the river which is considered most danger.
Gus. II Major Lydecker needed any assistance
Ieneral dazen intended ordering out q party
Of signal service men from Fort Myer 70 patrol
Inc river from the AQueduct TO Great Falls, and
iurtner up II Necessary, and make hourly re-
ports 10 the signal Office, in order that warning
might be given those interested as early as pos
sipie II danger threatened. These men will
ing good practice in signalling, and keeping the
public advised of the situation.
VARIOUS EXPRESSIONS OF OPINION.
Harbormaster Sutton told q STAR reporter
this morning that the ice in the Washington
channel was still pretty tough, and that there
were no signs of flood as vet.
MI. Gwynn Harris, inspector OF marine
products, stated to q reporter that the ice is
banked up across the river just below Fort
Washington from the bottom Of the river to
regions, and, in view of the heavy rain storm
OF last night and to-day, 1t looks as ii q flood
was was lmpending. He don't think there will be
any perceptible rise before tomorrow evening.
Lieut.. Townsend this morning stated to a
STAR reporter that there is no perceptible
cnange In the Ice this morning. He thought it
would be impolitic to break up the ice from in
'front.' OF this city and Georgetown, as it might
noat down to some narrow point in the river
anu create gorge and flood us. He is in favor
Oh commencing the breaking from below.
THE DISTRICT COMMISSIONERS TODAY
considered the subject of the ice in the river,
and concluded that it was not time to act 1t
was thought unsafe to break the ice opposite
to this city until the gorge below has be en-
Ireeo. There are no suitable river boats here
now except two tug boats