The evening times., 1899-02-27
BREAKING ON
THE POTOMAC RIVER
HarbOrmaster Sutton Makes
a Report.
Commits sioners Pleased With the
Coed Work Accomplished.
Flooding of the bower POr-
tions of This City.

complete report of the operations of
the ice breaking feet on the Potomac River
was submitted TO the District Commission
ers by Harbormaster J. r. Sutton this
afternoon. The statement has met the
full approval of the District Commission
ers, who are more than pleased with the
good work accomplished and the slight ex
pense incurred.
Harbormaster Sutton and his crew de-
serve much credit for the efficient work
done by them Had il not been fer their
promptness and efficiency it is believed it
would have been an easy matter for the
ice to gorge IN the river near the Long
Bridge and the water 10 rise in Street
10 a height Of 6 feet. The Commissioners
entertain this belief, as conditions were
never more favorable for a great flood.
The report of the Harbormaster reads in
part as follows;
During the severe cold spell in this month
the river completely frozen over to a
depth OF from eight 60 twelve inches, closing
The river 10 navigation. Immediately the river
was frozen over there occurred several snow
storms unprecedented in the history OF the Dis
irict, covering the ice Ia depth of from twenty
10 thrty-siN inches. These storms We're not local,
but extended 10 the head of the Potomac. As
the natural consequence ot this grave danger
Of flood was apprehended, especially IN the
/ lOw-lying sections OF the city, where severe
foods occurred at times when prospects OF such
| disaster nothing like As great as ON the
! present occasion.
The Commissioners, approaching the danger,
! promptly secured an appropriation ot Sj,GO for
the purpose OF breaking the ice. No time was
! lost IN getting 10 work. and arrangements were
made Tor hiring all suitable available pilot boats,
"a
/ ice plows or bcsks. The following boats were
engaged: Steamer Esiellc Randall and tugs Da-
yis, Winship. Mohler, Minerva. Carter, MrFad
! den, and Gilbert. These boats were hired for
/ ten working dars of ten hours day.
The HarbnTmaster then gives detailed state
! nent of the work which commenced at I olock
ON Friday tfe l7th inst, with the Randall, Mob
/ cr Winship aud Minerva. reaking the ice in the
! channel between Washington and Alexandria.
Very hard ice vas encountered. hut they succeeded
I that day in making tMo~tFII> each between the
two cities, cutting the channel about 800 feet wide
thai the ice could relieve itself unrokcn III the
( Georgetown channel. The next DAY the boats went
+ far down the river Marshall Hall, each cut
, iing d channel FOR itself both going and coming.
The following day the fect, with the addition OF
! The Davis started mp The Washington channel
and cat oUt about fifty oyster vessels, yachts and
other boats living II the wharvcS and monred in
the river Then work begun the George
I town channel. and the feet succeeded in opening
, the lBauRcl - Tar mp aS the Aqueduct Bridge
The work was continued throughout the week, be
/ ing suspended Friday fyCJI,ng-.
About 'Ciura in the afternoon ot the 22d 0
J FehUan, the i-c hrGkc- loe~r IN The upper Po
f0mac and came down the river with strong
l cHueut. the tide rising about - feet above or
dinaTy high water. By the time the ice EegaI
to come down Ec bad succeeded in providing .
clear passage Tor il How beyond the Long Bridge
! Friday last the ice had pyrty well passed OF
! there oiiy being some d.ltt zoe coming from III,
upper Potomac, aud about the only work don,
that DAY was TO keep The cc clear ot the Long
Bridge
z
done ! would especially draw your attention t,
TIE very prompt and de, .riye action oi the Dis
/ iTirt Commissioners, -. m MY estimation. il /
had NOT been for the manner i'm which they handle,
1 the whole affair the lu>> 10 merchants and resi-
dents OF The low-lrin. paris ii the city woul,
I have been inCalrulIbc.
| EaFe' also r'r- thIn5- nv rrcv for The yer
/ abe assistance rendered ihi, occasion. a
well the captains and officers OF The steamer
EMPLOY cd. In the past there has been som
conIioS5i>r ~ IL tie class u boats hest adaptt-
To This purpose. find that while it Is neces
sary 10 have boats cf Etrd szc say, drawing
ten icet oi wafer. 10 break along the channe
banks ii j. also imperative that small tugboar
utilized IN breaking The ice of the fat.
where the larger boats cannot go.
also find that it i absolutely necessary I
) keep The boats going. even after the ice
broken. a. by doing the ice j. kept moving
and with the assistance oi wind and tide 500
disappears. / still have six of The boats i
my disposal until ABOUT Match 6, in The even
of necessity for their The total cost
the work to date il g. .91S.4j, leaving avail
able haiance Of the appropriation of 5000
8. l.0gl.55.