Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1898-01-27

The coal boat Ark, while proceeding
down the river yesterday morning from
Pittsburg to Cincinnati with a big tow
Of coal, struck the channel pier OF
the B. & 0. bridge at Bellaire. Four
barges were sunk and another badly
damaged About 100000 bushels of
black mineral was carried down, incur
ring loss of about $4,000. The Ark
passed the wharf yesterday morning
at about $50 O'Clock, with fifteen
loaded barges and one fuel boat. She
had proceeded down the river in first
class condition until the bend Of the
river was reached, when she began
twisting about and headed direct fer
the pie., despite the pilots effort TO
change her course. AS the tow col
lided with the pier loud crash fol-
lowed, which attracted many people
to the banks at BenwoCd and Bellaire.
Several of the crew were in the end
barges, but seeing what was to occur
had signailed the rest Of the crew,
and they succeeded in reaching the
deck of the boat before the collision.
Two barges sunk Immediately, AID The
jar wrested the entire tow from the
Ark and sent them floating down the
stream. AS soon as the tow cut loose
the Ark itself headed for the pier, and
fatal acciGtnt was prevented only
by the piss well applied efforts and
the boat passed the pier by narrow
margin The Eliza Heatherington,
which was stationed at the Heathering-
ton mines at Bellaire, went in pursuit
OF the floating tow. One OF the barge6
was swept to the Beilaire bank, while
the rest continued on down the river,
dropping two more barges about a
quarter of mile below Bellaire. The
Eliza Heatneringtcn succeeded III
gathering together the other twelve
pieces, landing them near Glen
dale. about two miles south of Bell
aiTe, where they were taken charge of
by the Ark.
The Eliza II. remained at Glendale
until last evening, and assisted the
Ark il pumping out and bulkheading
the leaking fuel boat. The Ark re-
sumed her trip to Cincinnati about
eight O'Clock last evening with her re-
naming twelve pieces in fair condi-
ton, as reported by the Lexington
which passed her short distance be-
low Moundsville.
Tie four barges which sunk contain
ed in all something like one hundred
thousand bushels of coal, amounting
to about eight thousand dollars, while
the barges were each valued at five
hundred dollars, aggregating a loss Of
about ten thousand dollars. The boat
was piloted by David Kellar and j. ?.
Mehaffey. and is owned by the Mar
met. Coal Company OF Cincinnati.
MI. Kellar was a resident here a
number Of years ago and has host 81
friends in this city, who regret the
Arks misfortune.
The bend in the river just this side
Of the B. G 0. bridge at Bellaire is
quite dangerous point for coal
fleets. especially during such a stage
as exists at present, for the Stag which
has been deposited on either side by
the mills in that vicinity causes q
strong current. This condition at the
bend is generally believed 20 have been
the cause Of turning the Ark from her
course Another thing; there is
scarcely enough space between the
channel ard the middle piers to steer
a coal fleet On high water Yesterday 8
affair was the most disastrous that has
occurred in this vicinity for a number
of years, and will probably cause
action to be taken toward a wider
span. Rivermep have been fling
numerous complaints about tie conGi-
ton of the bridge for number OF