Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1891-06-09
COAL RECORD BROKEN.
River Operators Guido Themselves
. in the Shipments for a Day.
NEARLY 15,ooO,O O,OOOBUSHELSGoOUT
Not Enough Boats to Take All the Coal
Loaded in the Harbor.
THE WATER FALLING VERY RAPIDLY

Yesterday was the greatest day in the his
tory of the river coal business. According
to the latest Davis Island dam re-
ports received at midnight 101 boats
passed the locks during the day,
and Of this number II continued to
lower ports. It is figured that about 10000
900 bushels were shipped to Louisville and
Cincinnati, and 100000 bushels more were
destined to other Southern points, the main
place being New Orleans. J. Morrow Arnold
received a telegram from Captain Harry
Brown last evening, at Steubenville, stating
that the Brown boats had passed the bridge
there all right, and all the boats wero doing
well. No accidents were reported. Mr..
Arnold said the tows were running close
together and if q mishap occurred to one
they we're all liable to jam up in the dark,
and great loss would follow. The bridge at
Parker is considered the most dangerous,
and the operators will heave sigh of relief
when this point is passed.
Total Shipments, II, 600 900 Bushels.
Mr.. Arnold estimates 100000 bushels to
each boat, which would make the total
amount bound for Southern ports about
1900, 900 bushels. Captain Martin, of Davis
Island dam, says that according to the
records May 20, 1888, was the next best day,
when $50 pieces of various kinds were taken
out. The only loss reported during the day
was a coal boat for s. s.. Crump Co., which
went over Lock No. and was sunk. The
boat was cut loose from the steamer
Monterey to save the entire tow from being
wrecked.
At 10 last evening the water at Lock No.
had fallen ten inches, and this will give
fair idea of how fast the rise is ebbing away
to low marks. In this connection 1t may be
stated that the largest shipment for one day
from the Kanawha river occurred during
the recent rise, when 2,o0o, 900 bushels was
the record. The Kanawha field is the chief
rival to the Pittsburg territory.
That tells the talen This was the wall heard
along the river yesterday. Captain Rodgers
claimed the shipments for the day were the
largest in the history of the river coal busi-
railroad or set of roads that could move
such bulk of freight in so short a period of
time. 1t Is variously estimated that from
100000 to 100000 bushels Of coal were
sent out.
Good Stage of Water, but Falling.
At noon the water registered II feet, hav
Ing risen feet and 8 inches from the day be-
fore. The water is falling at the head
waters, but 1t is expected that there will be
coal boat stage for several days and barge
water for the balance Of the week. The first
boat to pass through the Davis Island
dam lock was the Charley Clark, and
during three hours of the morning "a
Up to noon the record at the dam was Il
boats with a total Of 265 barges, IS fats, 80
coal boats, II model barges, 2 barges and 2
coke flats, carrying 8, 100000 bushels. The
officials at the dam who are paid by Uncle
busy toward evening, but it was
claimed boats in all got away.
All the available boats in the harbor were
gobbled up, and even such little pool boats
as the Delta, l. N. Hook and the John P.
Thorno w ro rraooad in tO carvica
Yesterday. afternoon the Water street
wharf was deserted, and for the first time
in years full view Of the river river
without the interference of smoke
stacks. The Adele, from Wheeling, came
in with a load of railroad ties, and in
twinkling was steaming down the river
again with tow. The Harry Brown got in
leans.
Greater Activity Than for Years.
: Boats were ordered from Cincinnati,
r-heeling and other points. Indeed, such
activity has not been seen along the river
since the ancient days when the Ohio was
king. The Tom Rees arrived from Cincin-
natl and came into good play for W. W.
0'Neil & Co.
Operators were most anxious about get
ting out the big heavy coal boats first. The
high water foated off the FIVE stranded
Marmette & Co. at Logstown. A coal famine
exists at New Orleans, and black diamonds
there are worth 40 cents bushel. Many of
the coal boats will be shipped to that port.
Coal at Cincinnati is rated at 10 cents
per bushel, and II the operators have
luck they will reap pile of Doodle out of
this shipment. Some rivermen thought that
not more than half the coal lying in the
lower pool would be taken out on this rise
on account of the lack Of boats. In recent
years many of them have been sold and are
now plying in Southern waters.
The following is a tabufated statement of
the boats and their tows bound for Cincin-
natl and Louisville:
For Cincinnati.