The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1895-02-21
AN ICF-BLOChED PORT.
The Frozen River is Proving Very Dis
as'rous for Richmond.

An ice-blockcd port is a disastrous
thing for a city Ike Richmond. largely
dependent upon the river for much OF
it's materials for manufacture and many
OF its merchandise supplies
James river has been sOlidly frozen
from city Point 20 Richmond for weeks,
and the loss TO the city l. great. The
Old Dominion Steamship Line is fortunate
in having connection az West Point, ana
all its freight comes by rail from that
point, but the clyde Line, the Virginia
Navigation Company and the frequent
toWs and sail vessels that trade 10 this
port are all helpless on account OF the
blockade
The cedar Works which gets It's sup
ply of cypress and cedar from the inland
canals along the Atlantic coast, IS Eow
without logs, and have had 10 smut down
it's works for the want OF the supply now
lying at Norfolk. and many hands are
out OF employment This IS only one of
the more striking reasons for opening the
river at the earliest possible moment
SHOULD THE BIvfR RISE.
Another is the possibility ~ a rise in
the river. which will move the vast body
of Zee and threaten the destruction OF
tho ietties and everything IN its path.
Should the ice be moved by rise an
| ice gorge between here and Dutch Gan
would likely take place and back the
water into the streets of Richmond.
| causing Iuutu loss dlIl lNlIIN tIltltfs
Can the city authorities afford 10 take
such chances H. a question that was being
| discussed by good many ciuzvns yes
| terday.
No provision is made by the city for
such emergencies. but the opinion prevails
| that some decided measure should be at
| once taken by the Committee on James
River or somebody else In authority 10
open The river at once.
| Captain John \. Curtis, the harbol
master, said last evening that there mad
| been a great deal Of complaint because
| the city permitted a suspension OF haN',
cation when the river could be opened al
| comparatively q small cost.
| Captain l.. NJ. Smith, OF the tug OhNt
| Branch, called on The HarbOr Master yes
! terday and offered 10 break a passtiSe
| through the ice from Richmond 10 West
| Pom. for 800.
He demonstrated his ability 10 do so by
| breaking the ice from Rockets 10 a POM
opposite TIM Chemical Works ana pack
II Is said that Baltimore man was l'
| the city yesterday ard offered Mr.. \. -
| Larderkin, chairman of the committee
on James River, TO undertake the "oEh
| for $500 day
THE POCAHONTAs.
The steamer POcahontas, which was ~
ing I'm shelter just below the canal LOCK
gates Yesterday. made her way 10 mel
dock and cOalel with the INTENTION OF
| breaking the blockade 20 Norfolk. bu'
| Agent Weisiger and the captain OF lHt
steamer sounded the ice in several places
down stream and found u 10 De leIl
inches thick. They decided thdt II WouL'
be a great risk to the boat and aban-
doned the idea. ,e .....-.
The Clyde Line steamer Cur stream
which expected to accompany the Poca-
hOntas. also gave II up.
The olive Branch is the tug that broke
her way through the ice from Nesi
Point to Richmond two winters ago ana
sunk lust below the city on the Chester
field side. with hole in her bow.
She is 10 feet long and ]! tons burden
After the Olive Branch broke the way 20
the Chemical Works yesterday the city 5
tug, the Henry Christian, "ldened the
channel I'm the harbor.
some of the citys dredees are said "a
be in a critical condition should the
river rise and the ice move.
II is said that unless the river Is broken
up before. the clyde Line Will attempt
10 run a steamer from West Point next
Monday. .-..,, ..~,,,,
Tie old Dominion steamers could soon
conquer the ice If they were TO attack IT,