The daily morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1883-1899, 1894-06-01
RAGING RIVERS.
The Columbia and Willamette
to Break the Record.
SWEEPING WASTE OF WATERS
Immense Damage ALI Along the
Line--BOats Plying the Streets
of Portland.
SWEEPING WASTE OF WATERS

The Columbia is still on the rise, anc
from authentic reports, will continue tc
do so indefinitely. The downfall OF
snow exceeds that of many previous
years, and as the weather in the noun
tain districts is reported as being eX'
cessively warm, it may be counted upon
as a certainty that the rise in the Co
lumbia has not yet reached the hlgn
mark. Old steamboatmen, and those
familiar with the climatic changes oi
this section of the country, are of the
opinion that the rise will go beyond thai
of any former year. The reasons for
such an opinion are based upon substan-
tial grounds-namely the excessive
downfall of snow and the warm weather
now prevailing in the mountainous re-
gion.
The backwater in the Willamette is
still causing a rapid rise in that river,
and great damage has already occurred
therefrom, especially in Portland. The
metropolis has been exceedingly unfor-
tunate in the matter of floods, and from
the very nature of things will always be
subject to overflow. There are no possi-
BILE means to prevent an annual recur-
renee of such an event that is now tax
ing place in that city, and this fact sug-
gests itself to the thinking mind that q
better terninal point for railroads ana
deep water navigation could have been
selected than Portland. 1t is a well
known fact that Astoria has been, ana
always will be, free from the danger OF
floods. In the natural order of things
there is not the least danger that AS
toria will ever suffer from the effects OF
a rise in the Columbia or Willamette
rivers. Such an event would be con-
trary to all the laws of nature, and is
therefore simply impossible.
Latest advices from Portland are to
the effect that the high water mark OF
1876 had been passed at noon on We'd
nesday, and a further score of six
inches had been added at 6 o'clock yes
terday morning, with no prospect of a
fall. Owners of small boats are doing a
thriving business, plying up and down
Front and First streets, carrying sight
seers. 1t was expected that the water
would cover Third street at the inter-
section of Oak by noon yesterday. Be
low the latter street raised footwalks
have been constructed along the flooded
streets, and business generally in that
section is at a standstill. The east side
is in an equally deplorable condition,
and altogether Portland is in bad way.
Capt. Crang, of the Telephone, says
that there are very few places on the
river where he can make landing, and
that many Of the canneries above here
have shut down. People all along the
route are being compelled to leave their
homes and seek safety on higher
ground, while in many cases houses
and barns have been washed away and
destroyed. One Of the former, one and
half stories passed here yesterday and
is now probably well on its way to San
Francisco, or some other seaport. Capt.
Crang Is decidedly Of the opinion that
the flood of 1894 will be the greatest
within the history Of the state, and that
the damage therefrom will be very
large.
Chief Steward McGillls, of the Tele-
phone, stated yesterday that the water
was from five to six inches over the
docks as far as Waterford, and that the
canneries at Eagle, Eureka and Water
ford had all been compelled to close
down. Wreckage all along the river was
plentiful, and the prospects. generally,
for rip roaring old food were good,
and in fact were in sight already.
Other old river men who were ap-
preached on the subject were OF the
same opiniun, and no one can predict the
destruction that will ensue from fur
ther rise.
Many of the fish wheels en- the Upper
Columbia have been washed out, and
the fishing industry in that locality has
received a severe check in consequence.
In Astoria, however, no damage has re-
suited, and fishermen ply their avoca-
ton just the same as II there was no
food. All the canneries, too, are rum
ming at nearly their full capacity. which
again suggests the idea that Astoria is
pretty good place to tie to. A rise in
the river never affects Astoria in the
least. Boats and steamships, schooners
and sailing vessels Of all descriptions
can always depend uron good landing
place in Astoria. The docks never have
been and never will be under water. In
addition to this. she has one OF the finest
harbors in the world, and is consequent
Iy bound TO be one Of the most import
ant terminal cities in the United States.
With a secure and c0mmodidhs har-