Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-01-24
TO BATTLE WITH THE ICE.
The Commissioners Arrange for Tugs to ID
the Work.

the Work.
PROPOSITIONS RECEIVED IRIS NoaxrSa-pRo-
PosALs ACCEPTED coNprrIoxALLr-How IT rs
PLANNED TO BREAK THE REVOLUTIONARY
RIVER MEN SAY.
In few days the Commissioners win order
an advance on the ice king, which at presen, 1.
holding full sway in the Potomac. At a special
meeting of the board Of Commissioners this
morning it was unanimously agreed to hire the
tugs Harlow and Templar from Baltimore to
fight the ice, and il possible open the channel
from the bay to the Long bridge.
The statement in The STAR Of last evening
that the Commissioners we're contemplating
this action brought large number of river men
who own or operate tugs in the Potomac river
to the District building this morning
ington and Norfolk steamboat line
called at the request Of the Commits
sioners, and laid before them proposition to
open the river from 7th street wharf to the bay.
He said his company would contract to do this
work for $500, provided there was recur-
renee Of cold weather which would bring about
smother such condition Of things. He would
not. however, undertake to open the river from
the 9TH street wharf to the Long bridge.
WARM WEATHER WEAKENING THE ICE
In discussing the matter with the Commits
sioners he said that the warm weather was play
ing some havoc with the ice. The snow on the
surface was melting considerably and was eat
ing through the solid ice underneath. In a
short time the ice would become honey
combed and would sink He Thought that
| in two days at least he would be
able to proceed to Norfolk, and after that
would keep the channel open the entire length
OF the river. He would not contract, however,
be said. TO break the ice on the fats. for the
reason that 1t was impossible for his big boats to
travel there, and then again the ice was so thick
that no boat could possibly break it. The
Commissioners. however. did not take kindly
to his propo sition, and the bids Of Capts. Tay-
Tor and Chesser Of the tugs Hsslow and Tenn
plar were next considered. They agreed to DO
the work for $50 per day for the first
ten days and SIS per day for the re-
manning time, and subjected themselves to the
orders of the harbormaster. The Commits
sioners accepted this bid informally. but could
not direct the gentlemen to 60 to work until
after the President had signed the joint resolu-
ton which places $1,000 At their disposal for
the purpose Of breaking the ice.
CAPT. TAYLoR's PLANS
In conversation with a reporter Of THE
STAR Capt. Taylor said that he did not antici-
pate much trouble from the work, as his boat
has had Just such service before and was fully
capable Of combating the ice in the river.
1t was his impression that the Com
missioners would wait two or three
days until the river was FREQ for
thirty or forty miles from the bay. This con-
dition of affairs was rapidly coming about. The
salt water was already beginning TO weaken the
ice and he thought that by tine time his
boat got around from Baltimore the river
would be clear at least forty miles from
its mouth. If the tugs worked separately, he
said that would require ice plows, which the
Commissioners, OF course. must furnish. but il
they worked together which he believed would
be the best way, there would be no need of ice
plows.
"Do you think there is much danger Of a
food?'' queried TIE STAR man.
II should say there was a great deal of
danger. Two or three more warm DAYS will set
the ice and snow in the mo untains to running
and there will be the old boy to pay in the
river"
THE TALK AT THE RIVER FRONT.
River people who are posted in water lore say
that there ia great deal of unnecessary scare
in the flood theory. A food is possible. II
there is a heavy rain they say there will be
flood. No rain. no food. Capt Reagan, Capt.
Posey, Capt. Dean, Capt Lewis. Commodore
Randall and other local webfeet do not think
that much danger is to be apprehended from a
thaw, such as is likely TO occur al this season.
If large dose of Fourth-of-July weather should
be sudd emily turned loose it is probable that
there would be several fathoms Of moisture in
the streets of Washington. They think that a
rain is the thing to be feared River folk de-
clare that there never would be danger Of a
food were it not for the Long bridge and the
fats.
All steamers at the docks have a light head of
steam on. This is for the dual purpose of pre-
venting freeze up Of the pipes and to be in
readiness for an emergency. In case Of food
they do not expect to make any attempt to
leave port They would not be apt to get
through the ice. In the event of a flood the
steam feet is likely TO be damned, but they will
not be able to do much in tbs line of resist
ance.
PLANS FOR BREAKING THE ICE.
The Commissioners are being overrun with
letters from citizens containing proposals. to
clear the river of ice. Mr.. J. c. McGowau of
Georgetown writes that for the sum of 81 see
he will keep open any ice gorge that may lodge
against the Long bridge during the coming
thaw. All the ice boats fhe Commissioners put
upon the river. Mr.. MCGOWAN saws. will not re-
move the danger. He asks that if his propos i
is accepted to be given twenty-four hours
notice In which to prepare for the work.
Dir. /. W. Lepper, craftsman in the ord
nance department at the navy yard. also sub
mits proposition. He forwards a sketch OF
| icebreakinS device. 1t consists of an ad-
Unstable boom. with two vertical uprights, in
which a weight is operated. The boat steams
up to the ice, the boom is adjusted. and the
weight falls cutting off big chunk of ice Mr.
Lepper SAYS he does not ask for any considera-
tion but would like the privilege of making the
drawings.
TRYING To BLOW CP THE ICE.
Mr.. J. W. Cooper, representing the Ameri-
| canite Company of this city, endeavored late
yesterday afternoon to break passage through
the ice on the river from the wharf of
Littlefeld Il Alyord. at The foot of New Hamp-
shire avenue, across the river for distance
of about 100 yards. Mr. Cooper and his assist
ants attempted to break the ice by blowing it
up with americanite. an explosive of which
dynamite forms 40 per cent. and which il is
claimed is incapable of being exploded
by conclusion, 4 temperature of 364 degrees
Fahrenheit being absolutely necessary to ex-
plode it. The experiments were made at the
suggestion of Messrs. Littlefeld & Alvord, who
wished to demonstrate the effectiveness of such
explosives in opening the ice blockade.
In carrying out the experiments yesterday a
! number Of small holes were cut through the ice
in parallel lines from point about thirty feet
from the wharf due west for about 100 yards
IN all there we're about forty holes, and in each
hole was dropped an americanite cartridge ono
and a quarter of an inch in diameter
and three inches in length. weighing about one
fourth of pound. A illuminate cap at the
end Of a short wire was inserted in each car
fridge and the wires connected with heavier
wires running to an electric battery situated on
the wharf