The times., 1899-02-19

gressed satisfactorily, but it was impossi-
BILE TO go farther than Marshall Hall.
which is about five miles this side of the
objective point. The ice below the city is
much thicker than in the channels opposite
Washington, and il was owing to this that
the boats were unable to reach Indian
Head before darkness set in.
The method of work was changed from
that of Friday. The Esteile Randall, on
account Of her greater weight and ice
breaking capacity. took the lead, and the
tugs followed each breaking narrow strip
from the channel made by the Randall
Harbormaster Sutton was on the Leading
vessel and directed the movements OF the
tugs. which kept within sight In this way
the work was kept up al steady pace ana
more was accomplished than If each boat
had started out for itself a channel Geo
feet in width was cut from Alexandria as
far down as the fleet went. At Fort Wash
ington and Fort Foote gorges were en-
cCuntored where the ice had piled up to
great thickness. These gorges for time
impeded the work of the ice breakers, but
were finally broken up. The boats returned
to the city at 6 O'Clock. Harbormaster
Sutton stated last night that there is no
necessity for breaking the ice any farther
down stream. 1t was previously thought
that it would be necessary to open chan
mel as far down as Maryland Point.
Possibilities of Gorge.
Commodore Sutton thinks the possibility
Of the formation OF an ice gorge at the
forks Of the Washington and Georgetown
channels CT at any point down the stream,
which would seriously affect Washington
has been greatly diminished.
There is, however, feature in the situa-
ton which makes the formation of jam
possible. The cakes of ice which have
been broken off by the ice breakers still
float in the channel as there is no current
10 carry it off. If the rise comes gradu-
ally a slight current Will be formed. which
viii carry off the floating ice, but should
a freshet come the channels already
formed would be closed by the volume of
water. After the Georgetown channel is
opentd today the efforts of Harbormaster
Sutton viii be directed toward keeping the
ice in the channels moving down stream.
The ice breaking feet can do nothing to-
ward relieving the danger at Long Bridge.
Tomorrow morning the iieet will COM
mence work in the Georgetown channel
and the ice will be broken as far as the
Aqueduct Bridge. The feet will be
strengthened by the arrival of the heavy
oeean-going tug NJ. NJ Davis. of Baltimore.
She left Baltimore yesterday morning at
10 o'clock. and is expected to arrive at the
Washington wharf early this morning.
The Commissioners Pleased.
The District Commissioners were deeply
interested in the work accomplished b.
the ice-breaking steamer Estelle Randall
yesterday. and we're in frequent communi-
cation Of the HaTbormaster's office at
the Seventh Street wharf.
Early in the day a conference was held
for the purpose of determining the method
of work 10 be followed in the days work.
The advisability OF opening the George
town channel TO the Long Bridge and even
beyond TO the Aqueduct Bridge, was seri-
ousiy considered. II was agreed, however
that ii would be bad policy 10 open the river
above the bridge without providing an out
let for broken ice. The Harbormaster was
then advised 10 open channel as far down
The river as the Naval Proving Grounds at
Indian Head
Discussing the project to blow up the
Long Bridge. one of the District Commits
sioners said esterday:
i am exceedingly surprised that any
sane citizen should propose such a thing.
l should characterize the idea as absurd.
Were the bridge blown up it would only
serve TO blockade the river more, and the
great trunk lines would be unable 20 bring
Southern market produce 10 Washington
and the North. ] think the editorial on
the subject in The Times this morning
stated the situation accurately" "