The Washington times. (Washington [D.C.]) 1901-1902, 1902-02-27
POTOMAC Is ALMOST
At A FLOOD STAGE
Constant Vigil Being Kept
Along River Front.
W alter in Some Places on a Level With
the Wharves-No Danger at
Present.

Throughout the entire night more than
fifty men patrclIed the river front in or
| Ter that, should the Potomac River over
| flow it's banks. sufficient warning might
be given TO the merchants having proper
| ty along the wharves. Although every
| precaution was taken there was no need
I for any great amount of alarm, according
| to river men. Nevertheless, from
O'Clock until y o'clock last night the Po-
| tomac rose eighteen inches, the water in
some places being on a level with the
wharyes. This state of affairs caused con-
siderable anxiety and the guards redou-
bled their watchfulness, but nothing seri-
Gus occurred
As is his custom, Commodore Sutton
was on hand nearly all night in his Of
fee on the river front watching the con-
dition of the river. When seen by a
Times reporter the commodore did not
appear to regard the river conditions seri-
ously
No Danger at the Present.
There is no danger that can see at
the present time" said he 'Of course.
the river has risen to some extent, and
may continue to rise, but have doubts as
to whether it will do any great amount of
damage. Nevertheless. it is best to be
on the safe side, ana l intend watching it
closely"
When asked how he accounted for the
rapid rise of the water during the two
hours. the commodore stated that it was
due to the fact that it was high tide.
The current in the river is running
swiftly, and huge blocks of ice are be-
ing rushed madly down stream. Unfor-
tunately the police boat Vigilant is Grip
pied. and will be of no more use to Com
modore Sutton for some time. The COM
modore started out with his boat early
yesterday morning to break up the ice
gorges off Giesboro Point, Alexandria. and
around the Long Bridge. 1t was while de-
molishing the gorges at that place that
the Vigilant was crippled by breaking her
tiller. The accident was because of the
tugs light weight and inability to stand
the heavy pressure brought to bear upon
her by the ice. The Vigilant was lowed
by the other tugs to her landing and it
will be necessary to dock her for re-
pairs.
Police Ready to Lend Aid.
Not only were the watchmen at the
big wharves on the lookout last night for
flood, but the Fourth precinct detailed
two policemen to watch the river, in
order that they might give what assist
ance was needed in case of danger. In
the vicinity of the commission houses,
especially in the old Marble Saloon, con-
siderable water was noticed, which is re-
garded as a sure indication Of the rise
of the currents, but the commission ner-
chants feel but little alarmed by the con-
dition OF affairs.
At late hour this morning the river
was still rising.
Rise of Five Inches in as Many Hours.
At O'Clock this morning the water was
rising rapidly at the corner of Thirteenth
and Streets northwest. In that vi
cinity the water had rose five inches in
five hours, and was still coming in There
were several inches of water in the neigh
borhood of the Marble Saloon, at thu
Corner of Ninth and C Streets northwest.
Reports from the water front were 10
the effect that there was no change in
that locality from earlier in the evening.
The water appears to be flooding the sew
ers, not overlooking its banks.