The times. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1890-1903, 1897-02-05
fCE GORGE ~ THE EIJEE

ID rs ANilrffi| ~ 'N'''e'
ont. -pt %. Nn.ri
Those who were down at the wharves
OF the old Dominion. Bay Line, and VIZ
sinia Navigation Companies steamers
.lr4 ,,..,.o.. ..t..-,,u M
which may not he seen again in years
and which. though beautiful in the eX-
IRENE, was the cause OF considerable de-
struction Of property.
The cold weather of several days ago
had congealed the waters Of the James
above this city 10 a considerable extent.
and many feet of ice had accumulated
in the river. The rain which set III
Monday uigut logscd the ice from the
bank. and 10 soon began 10 move with
When t.c city tug. tEc Thomas cum
uiugham. ST.. started ln 10 clear ~,
channel early yesterday. me zee hau pig"
high. and the undertaking vas a. lo'H't.
able one. Captain cunningham ana MS
crew labored assiducusly. but II was seN-
srtl hours before they accomplished thtlt
task.
The Bay Line steamer, which has met
with various and sundry accidents in the
past Jew months. was lyins al her wharf
her regular nip ON Tuesday afternoon
having been postponed on account or the
ice in the river. She WIS attached 10
the piles with heavy hawsers. when me
0oc struck her there WAS a grinding
sound. and she strained at her cables.
The stout ropes he'd for "A while, but
the lu-r mIs .I ur Wtr lfff@irln H"N
finally they parted with loud reports.
A large portion Of the wharf also gave
way. and the whole busincs went down
the river together.
After the Virginia got ont in the stream
steam was put on and she started down
the stream at a lively rate, soon dis
tlncing the ice and mass Of debris which
pursued her.
The part Of the wharf wrecked and car
ried away was from scventy-hVe TO one
hundred feet in length. Including a por-
ton that was under cover. Upon the
wharf was piled 70 quantity OF baled hay
consigned TO $. O.. Fairhank a CO.. From
fifty 10 a hundred bales went with the
wharf. but "a portion Of them was after
wards recovered Dos the Use of h~oat-hooks.
The steamship Winyah. Of New YORK.
was also lying ~ anchor 40 the wharf
of the old Dominion Steamship Com
nauy. having gained the harhor after
several hours ~ hard work. She Us a
largo. U|NNN IN.NN anu lIiAN'H'A ' tH''
the strain. although az one time il seem
ca that she would go along with the ice.
a number Of bargcs and small boats i'm
The harbor were carried down the river.
and overturned. some being left ON the
bank at various points. ana others gong
on nifr fh0 inn fn Nnurfon fonff
The damage lone 70 the property or
the Virginia Navigation Company VIII
amount 10 several hundred dollars. which
will be promptly repaired. a number or
men being now az work dragging from
the river the timbers Of the whar not
carried away.
"It WIS % close call for an ~ U.s. said
the agent iu charge Of the virginia Nay
icati0n Compauy's office. land nothing
saved our buildings and wharf but the
low water. II IL had been high tho ice
would have made a clean sweep. As II
was. none Of or property was damaged.
The unusual scene drew hundreds or
curious SPECTATORS 10 the rivers bank
Yesterday. who watched tl' DTuiNal
a. the ice king with lager interest AFTER
the foe bad passed ice WAS left piled hish
an along tie bank. and a rock IN tho
middle Of the river opposite The uaN Line
wharf. resembled a miniature Iceberg.
While tho foe was passing. one OF inc
spectators ou the bank wasered a dollar
with another that De could walk from
bank 20 bank without breaking through.
Tile BET was accepted. and a dollar post
al on either side. The foolhardy maker
of the WAGER at once started out and
safely made the trip 20 the Chesterfield
side. He.got halfway back in safety.
when suddenly the ice gave way, ana
he disappeared in thirty feet Of water.
II was thought that Dee wa surely drown
od. but the luck proverbiai with mat
class OF people stuck 90 bin. and me Was
finally rescued by the crow OF the WIN
YAH unhgft. but wet TO the skin and eX-
cecdiully cold.
Ills dog. who accompanied him on me
trim. however. bad % much closer shave.
and after the man reached the shore he
had TO be held 90 keep him from going 10
the rescue of his canine friend.
THE latest Information received from
the Virginia was that She was az 'ity
Point. and had not been az all damaged
hv her rough experience. She E expect
ed 10 reach Richmond some time this
morrine and will probably leave for Bal
fimore al { o'clock this afternoon.