Middletown transcript., 1893-02-25
DROWNED OUT.
How the Ice Gorges are Creating
Havoc on The Susquehannr


Havoc on The SuSquehannr
Port DEPOSIT, Feb, 21, 1893.
A desolate and dreary scene was pre-
sented TO the visitor to the town OF
Port Deposit on the morning of the
18th. This little town has been ex-
deriencing for the last " week or ten days
one of those dreadful ice golges, which
results in great loss and destruction Of
property.
The warm rain and bright sunny
days of week ago, precipitated the
trouble, for which in a measure, the
people were prepared, owing TO the ex-
perience the old Susqueharna has af-
forded them in former years. The in
habitants on the western or lover side
of the street had moved their families
aud belongings at the first alarm thai
the ice had begun to move, hoping
that after little discomfort
and inconvenience the ice would soon
pass out of the river allowing the
waters to subside. Their hope was
soon dispelled by the ice gorging in the
flats, or lowlands, and the massive
stone piers of the B & o bridge just
below the town, forcing the water back
into the town and flooding out the i'll
habitants. Saturday night the trouble
reached its climax. A sudden run OF
the ice caused the inundalion of the
upper part of the town; the full extent
of the damage done being only too
evident in the light of morning. The
Main street from Rock Run TO the
Tome M. E. Church, a distance OF
half a mile presented a terrible sight.
Every stable, clubhouse and fence within
that distance were torn away by the
grinding of the immense icetioes, and
the rush of water which had swept
through the town in the darkness of
the night. Ice boulders some of them
ten feet thick ill the street and yards
bile mud and slime cover the floors
aud walls of the houses. At McClena-
hams quarries the destruction has
been greater than in former years, the
water is raising there 10 the height OF
35 feet, suspending work and throwing
out Of employment $50 hand. The
Italians who are employed there ard
live on the Dirt Bank escaped with
their families 10 the hills, their litile
homes being almost ubmerged.
The stores in Rock Run are entirely
washed out, and can transact no busl-
ness. The only communication ltbe
had with the other part of the town is
10y tortuous route over the hills. No
services were held ia the churches OH
Sunday, The entire population turning
out en- nldsse To view the sights, The
gorge is still unbroken and extends a
distance of ten miles, and owing to the
present cold weather, the situation 10
all appearances will remain unchanged
for weeks.
When the break comes even more
destruction is feared, owing to the
p cking and gorging of the ice in the
head of the river. The only outlet for
the water will lie through the entire
lenght Of the town and the Tide Water
Canal.
One of the episodes of the floods has
been the exploits of the reScuing party
sent out to Roberts Island to learn the
fate of Roberts and his son. Though
the Island was entirely covered with
water and much of his stock was
drowned, Roberts and his son had
found refuge III the top story OF his
house and could not be prevailed upon
to leave his home.
The storm prevailing tonight only
adds 10 the discomfort and danger of
4 he situation.
SIGHT SEER.