Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1889-06-03
LONG BRIDGE WRECKED.
A Portion Of the Structure Swept
Off by the Water.

One OF the main-channel spans Of the Long
bridge started on a trip down the river this
morning at about 2 o'clock. For hours the
scows and lighthouses and trees and miscella-
neous debris bumped against the unesthetic
but strong structure until the strain was too
much for wood and iron to bear.
There were ominous crackings for several
minutes before any break was apparent and
then the span just east Of the draw settled
down toward the south with almost thunderous
sounds OF tearing timbers and swapping
metal. The southern side-the railroad divi-
sion-vas lowest, because on it were Ave
coal-laden freight cars placed there to weight
the bridge down and thus make IL less liable
to fracture from pressure. A large gang Of
workmen at once commenced to 1t the span
clear Of its fellows, and by noon had succeeded
to such an extent that but little force will need
to be exerted in order
TO CLEAR AWAY THE WRECK.
This will be done by hitching tug or a
couple Of tugs on to the disabled portion and
then haul away to the south. Then the rebuild
ing will commence. The tugs had not arrived
at o'clock this afternoon. and the current was
then pressing so heavily upon the fallen portion
of the bridge that it was more than probable
that the wreck would clear itself. II will
be at least two days before traffic with the
South can be renewed unless the companies
interested should decide to transfer their pas
sengers by wagon around over the Aqueduct
bridge to the Four-Mile RIM.
SIDEWALK AND FENCE GONE.
About 500 yards from the Washington end
of the bridge the sidewalk and fence are
both gone, and from that point to within a
| hundred yards of the bridge across the main
| channel the causeway is washed until nothing
remains but the stones. The entrance to the
main channel bridge is badly broken up.
Heavy timbers have been splintered and
knocked out Of position. Iron braces are
bent. Trees and portions of wrecked scows
and vessels protrude between the woodwork
and braces on the upstream side. The miracu-
ous part Of the affair is that the whole structure
did not CO. Debris of all kinds from scraps of the
Analostan boat house furniture to common
frewood is piled up as high as the floor of the
bridge, which creaks as the ebbing tide bears
| down on it.
The bridge is barricaded at both ends and a
curious crowd is doing its best to get inside the
ropes to view the damage at short range.
THE SUPPLY OF CUMBERLAND COAL CUT OFF.
1He supply VI SuinUerldHu COdi lor tuls CITY
is cut off by the stoppage of the canal Here
after this coal will come over the railroads, and
there will be an advance in the price to meet
the difference between the canal and railroad
freight rates.
MISSING PEOPLE.
There are several persons reported missing
| from their homes, and their relatives have
some fears that they have been drowned.
| A boy named Thos. Benson, has been missing
| from his home, 709 G street southwest since
| Saturday night. He went across the Long
bridge with his father to attend TO
| some business, and his father sent him home.
He started toward the city and has not since
| been seen.
This afternoon it was reported at police
| headquarters that young man named Charles
Cooksey. living on street near Sd southwest,
had been missing since the 30th.
1t was reported that q body had been found
| In the Eastern branch, and Cookseys relatives
will go and see if they can identify it.
| DAMAGE AT THE MAYNARD.
| Capt. Folger, in charge at the Washington
hayward, has reported to the Navy depart.
ment that the yard can be cleared up and pu,
| in working order by Wednesday. The damage
| by the flood will not exceed 5000.
SAVED FROM THE WRECK.
The minute books, records, constitution, and
other documents of the Analostan boa'
club were saved by a wrecker, who found
them as they were floating by in the copper DO,
| in which they are usually kept, and are in the
or what remains Of it, has lodged at Shepard's
| LANDING