The aegis & intelligencer. [volume] (Bel Air, Md.) 1864-1923, 1900-01-26
On the River.

1t Is Il usual thing at this season OF the
year, or In fact at any time, when the Susquc'
| hanna river has been frozen over, for q great
deal of uneasiness to be manifested when q
thaw occurs. And this uneasiness is not by
any means confined to the residents along the
banks of the river.
At the present time wien reports are con-
stantly being received from points up the
river, 1t seems to be conceded that the stream,
being almost free from Ice, there Is no danger
from q gorge or any other source. There Is
vast quantity of ice between Port Deposit and
the flats at the mouth of the Susquehanna,
but 1t is currently believed that 1t will all
pass out safely. Numerous channels have
been cut by the different currents and suf1i-
cIent outlets have been formed to permit Of n
free egress.
The reports published in the Philadelphia
papers Of danger to Port Deposit, that the
river is frozen over with solid Ice from three
to ten feet thick; that danger to property is
imminent, and that the residents have been
driven to the upper stories Of their houses,
are absolutely fs'ss and only had their origin
in the minds OF the correspondents.
few of the foolhardy adventures, who are
always to be found In such emergencies, have
probably been placed In slight danger, but 1t
has been of their own seeking and was easily
avoidable. Creswell First, young man liv-
ing in Port Deposit, ventured out in his boat
catch piece OF driitwood which was a few
feet from the shore and the swift current and
floating ice swept him out into the river.
Just below where he put out an ice field
begins and extends dlagonally out into the
river, constantly widening until it almost
reaches the western shore. While this field
of ice is stationary It is filed with holes and
contains great deal of mush ice which would
not sustain the weight Of a person. Along
this field of ice the swollen river rushes filled
with floating ice and debris.
First, who evidently misjudged the swift
ness Of the current and the danger of his at
tempt, coon lost control OF his boat and began
drifting helplessly along tho margin of tie
ice field. Realizing bis inability to return to
the shore he gave himself up to the current,
hoping to effect landing somewhere down
the river. The swift current would carry his
boat sgainst the Ice field and stop 1t, when he
would be seen to get on: and push his boat
into the current, jumping in again as it
started.
Crowds gathered on the shore watching him
in his perilous position. boat was seen to
put out from Lapidum to rescue him, but as
darkness settled down the two boats were
drifting rapidly toward narrowing channel
through which water and ice were rushing
like a vortex.
Mr.. FIist's mother was prostrated by the
danger in which her son was placed, but his
family were relieved by receiving word that
he had succeeded In effecting a landing at
Havre de Grace. Later First arrived home by
train, apparently none the worse for his peril
Gus journey. The men who started out from
Lspidum to rescue him did not succeed In
overtaking him and turned back.
The current IL running about six miles an
hour and the ice is passing rapidly into the
bay without any apparent interruption.