The Washington times., 1902-12-15
TUG ABANDONS FLOAT
IN CHESAPEAKE BAY
Three Cars Lost Overheard,
and Two Are Wrecked.
RESCUED WITH DIFFICULTY
Memorial to Dr.. Hunter Maguire-Belt
Line Railway to Extend It's Line
to LambeIts Point.

NORFOLK, Va, Dec. 15.-In a gale IN
Chesapeake Bay Saturday night the New
York, Philadelphia. and Norfolk Rail-
ways tug Philadelphia was compelled to
abandon the compaEy's big car hoat No
3. Captain Franklin and the rev OF
two men on the float after drifting help
lessly, were picked up by the company's
steamer Pennsylvania. which arrived
here with the float last evening.
As she drifted about in the vicinity Of
the Capes the barge lost three cars load
ed with merchandise. Two other cars
aboard we're wrecked by the heavy seas.
The tug left here Saturday evening with
the float bound for Cape Charles. When
within a few miles OF Cape Charles the
tugs master saw It would be unable to
handle the big float, with its eighteen
cars. He cut her loose and proceeded
with all speed to Cape Charles.
Rescued With Difficulty.
The powerful steamer Pennsylvania was
at the Capes, and at O'Clock yesterday
morning started to search for the float
which was sighted in the forenoon. The
gale had not abated very much and it
was with great difficulty that the steam
er succeeded In getting a line to the
float.
Mrs. W. B. Westbrocl. aged seventy
two years, formerly OF Petersburg, died
here Saturday night.
William Bozart, who. a year ago de-
serted the cruiser Topeka at Charleston
S. c.. was brought here yesterday and
delivered to the naval authorities.
Plans are on foot for the extension OF
the Belt Line Railway. which extends
from Primers Point. on the opposite side
OF the river. around Portsmouth. and
crossing the southern branch Of the Ellz-
abeth, reaches Berkley. 1t is proposed
TO extend the Belt Line tracks on
bridge paralleling that OF the Norfolk
and Western. BY this means the Belt
Line can enter the city. and. skirting its
limits. reach Lamberts Point. where
there are extensive coal piers. Here
terminal facilities for handling an i'm
mense traffic are available.
An Important Move.
The establishment OF the great ship
building plant which the Norfolk Hamp-
ton Roads Shlpbuildlng and Drydock
Company is now engaged in installing
at Sewalls Point. together with the es-
tablishment OF other large enterprises
in the neighborhood, Is regarded as ne
cessity by those who wish the Belt Line
to be extended. One advantage that is
offered the officials Of the line is that
with the proposed extension they would
have two terminals on opposite sides OF
the river-at Lamberts and Primers
Points. The holding OF the great James,
town Exposition at Sewalls Point is
pointed out as another reason why the
line should be extended.
william COuper. the sculptor. native
OF Norfolk, who for years has made his
home In Florence. Italy, left Norfolk
Saturday for Richmond. where he is to
meet the committee having In charge the
memorial to the late DR.. Hunter Ma
guire, Of that city.
Z. Henning Smith and Thomas J. Ran
dolph. Of Norfolk. have composed a verse
which they hope viii be adopted by pat
riotic societies. at least in the South, in
connection with the national anthem.
The verse is as follows
Land for Navy Yard.
It now seems that the valuation placed
on a tract OF land adjoining the navy
yard which the Government needs for
the purpose OF enlarging the yard Will
be accented.
Several days ago. when the report Of
the commissioners recommending that
the land be acquired at s572 900 was pre-
sented District Attorney Allen asked
that the matter be held up for a time
so that he might consult with the Secre-
tary Of the Navy. The price namd, about
81. 600 an acre. was deemed excessive.
The matter Of acting upon the commits
siCners report will come up in the
United States court here today, and Il Is
now believed that the award will be ac-
cepted.