Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1899-02-18

Dominion and Virginia Navigation Com
panies sheds have gone. The fleet OF
three narges operated by the Richmond
Cedar Works was carried away on the
bosom of the raging waters. and II Is not
Known what became OF them, though IL
Is not Il ought that they have been lost.
The Maude, pretty little launch owned
by the employees at the Southern shops.
was carried away Several attempts were
made to save her. one Of which, made by
several men at the Chemical Works, came
near being successful. The last seen OF
the little craft by the crowd gathered
on Main street near Fulton was as she
disappeared behind a big hummock list
Ing badly, and her smokestack smashed
down.
The barge John Hagan, owned by John
Hagan. Of Philadelphia, was swept away.
a number OF sloops and innumerable
row-boats shared the same fate.
A THRILLING SITUATION.
The crowd attracted TO the river bank
by the breaking up Of the Ice was very
large and many were on Main street at
the scene Of the overflow. At either
place were the elements OF situation
gratifying 10 the taste for the dramatic,
and for novel realism. But the darkness
I'm which the city was wrapped from 800
o'clock until the approach OF the sun
brought light was dramatic feature OF
n dramatic night that did not require
venturing on the streets TO see.
Affects the Electric Plants.
The situation on Johnson's and Browns
Island. where important electric plants
are located. would have furnished ma
terial for a play. or a situation In novel
Of Victor Hugo's.
The eIectric-light plant is situated on
Johnson's. and the plant giving power TO
the various electric lines Of the Rlch-
mond Railway and Electric Company on
Browns. Island JohnsOn's Island was
submerged at $50 o'clock. and the street.
lights all over the city and Manchester
were put out An hour later the water
had reached the wheel-pits OF the. plant
on Browns Island. and the power, TOO,
was shut off. Browns Island is much
higher than Johnson's. which Is almost
under the bridge, so that plant could run
longer.
MEN WERE HEROIC.
The men were heroic. and remained az
their posts until every particle OF ma
chinery I'm the light department had been
shut down regularly and made as secure
as possible. and everything that would
float put as high out Of reach OF the
water as could be. Then. wading in water
21-2 feet deep. they made their escape in
a thrilling manner. The usual avenue OF
exit from the plant was cut off complete
ly by water, and a problem was raised
as to how the men would get away. \
long ladder was brought and strapped 10
the Free Bridge and the men waded 10
IL and climbed to the floor OF the bridge.
All succeeded in getting out without ac-
cident
As soon as the light works had to be
stopped. Mr. Edward w Trafford. super
intendent OF the light department. order
ed the storage battery of the company at
Seventh and Franklin streets to be used.
All the incandescent lights of this sys-
TEN Of the two cities were thus Kept
burning all night Mr. Tranord SAID az
midnight that the damage 10 both plants
would he considerable. but not such as
could not be remedied I'm reasonable
time The street cars will be able TO run
to-day If no more damage is done 10 the
power-house. but it Is probable that the
streets will be dark tonight. The offices
and stores which have incandescent bulbs
on the storage battery system VIII De
lighted as usual. and these alone
There was a quiet but intense excite
nent on Johnson's Island last night, as
the water began to rise rapidly. ana IL
was seen that the little fiat would soon
go under. The men were as schOol-boys,
who knew they stood on the eve OF some
great happening. but they acted like men
and did their duty The officers OF the
light and power departments were az
their posts. also and did their utmost to
give the cities light and car service as
long as It was in human strength 10 DO
50.
uha lns Almost Cut on.
The situation at the Upper and Lower
gas-works was unchanged at O'Clock
this morning. A further rise OF inches
would stop the machinery at the Upper
works; IS inches would have a similar
effect at the Lower works.
The gorge extending across the river
from the old Dominion wharves had
not broken at 3 o'clock. This prevented
the water falling at the Upper works
The water was falling slowly at the
Lower works II is feared that when
this gorge breaks the Lower works VIII
be submerged.
Superintendent Knowles spent the en-
tire night at the works. and with his
assistants was doing everything he pos
siblv could to keep the plant I'm the best
possible condition under the circum-
stances.
The bridge Intact at 4 4. VI.
The telephone-wires were still in ope-
ration at 4 o'clock this morning. show
ing the bridge to be intact. The water
then seemed to be falling a little.
Lee Camps Meeting Last Night.