The Portland daily press., 1888-02-01
The ST. Louis Ice Gorge.

Things. Coal Is scarce Dut INC Wcdthcl 10
now moderating.
The st. Louis Ice Gorge.
ST. LOUIS, NO., Jan. 31.-The ice gorge,
which has been forming for ten days in the
Mississippi river in front Of the city, began
to move at midnight and drifted down the
stream 800 yards. At 10 a. m. January
thav loosened the mass, and it slowly
crushed down upon nearly million and a
half dollars worth Of property, which 1t is
now slowly grinding into ruins. Every
means has been taken to dislodge 1t, but In
vain. Great cakes Of ice, IS inches think,
are piled upon each other, forming solid
mass, from bank to bank, several hundred
yards deep, and IS to 20 feet thick Already
several barges have been sunk, and the
steamers Tamm, Matte Belle and Hayes
also. The Hayes is a large excursion steam.
er, and is total wreck. She was valued at
SS0,00O The Matte Belle was fine large
freight boat. The Tamm was ferry boat
The wharf boat of the Alton q Grafton rail-
road was swept away, aud the steamer City
of Monroe snapped her lines at noon ana Is
a wreck. Capt. Mason and Mr.. Seeberger
were badly injured. There Is little chance
for thousands Of dollars worth OF property
still below the gorge.
What is Coming.
NEW YORK, Jan. 3l.-The United States
photographic Office says that in February
stormy weather will prevail off the Atlantic
coasts of North America and Europe, and
especially off the American coast along the
course of the Gulf Stream and over the At
lantic to the northward of about 35 degrees
Along the transatlantic routes fresh TO strong
gales will be encountered as often as once
week with the highest force Of the wind
from the Southwest and Northwest quad
rants. Northers will occur less frequently in
the Gulf Of Mexico, but will be Of greater
violence than earlier in the season. The
northeast trades will begin to extend farther
north and the icebergs and field Ice may be
encountered of New Foundland sometimes
as far south as AZ degrees. Little fog will
be met with on the Grand Bank. To avoid
dangers from ice foes it is recommended
that the southwark transatlantic routes be
taken and that the thermometers be freely
used. No possible precaution should be ne
elected, especially during snow or log. Inc
hydrographic report says that most OF the
logs of the Leary raft are now in the Gulf
Stream and will probably follow its DRIFT.
Along the Potomac.
WATHINeToN, Jan. Silt is thought that
it will not be possible to secure the passage
of the bill in Congress for an ice boat for the
Potomac in time to meet the necessities Of
this season. Mr.. Brown, Of the first Virginia
district, who is the author Of the bill, and
Messrs. Compton and Lee, are going to try
In some way to provide means OF breaking
up the ice that is now forming on the river
The ice is now so thick as to obs duct navi-
cation, and long blockade seems probable
Oysters, fish and all the commerce OF the
river is delayed.
nn1usAoA Hnuar.H
SAN FRANCISCO, Jan. 3l.-The greatest
landslide ever known in California has taken
place on the line of the California & Oregon
railroad.
The road is new one and the recent heavy
rains thoroughly soaked the fresh roadbed
so that the whole country above let go and
came down on the track. About 100 miles OF
track is covered with debris.
The worst slides are on the divisions De-
tween the Della and the 18th crossing OF the
Sacramento river between Horn brook ana
As, land A force of 400 men is at work, but
it is not expected they can do much to clear
the track until spring.
Killed In the Snow.
MINNEAPOLIS, Mimi, Jan. 1.-The latest
reports received in Winnipeg from the noun
tains indicate there has been loss Of life on
the Canadian Pacific owing to snow slides.
Passengers on trains from Calgary bring
but meagre particulars of the disaster.
Strong winds have been prevailing for the
past week and all along the line from Dom
aid to Glacier the snow has been coming
down on the track in tremendous quantities.
Near Palliser Station, B. c.. several men
were caught in slide. Only one was dug
out alive, and he was so badly bruised and
injured that he is not expected to recover.
The mild weather has put an affectual
stop to all through Canadian Pacific trains,
as the mountain streams are considerably
swollen. 1t may be some time before trafnc
is resumed.
Frozen Penobscot.
CAMDEN, Jan. 31.-Penobscot Bay was
frozen over last night and has remained
frozen all day, there being no wind to break
the ice. For two wesks no packets have
been here from North Haven, Isleboro or
any of the Islands.