Evening star., 1902-02-24
POTOMAC ON A HIGH
Reports Indicate Full Stream
at All Points.
NO LOCAL DAN GER
FLEET OF BOATS CLEARING
CHANNEL OF ICE.
Harbormaster Sutton Opens q Passage
From Long Bridge to Gies-
boro' Point.
NO LOCAL DAN GER

Reports received today indicate high
water all along the line Of the Potomac and
large quantities of ice at points between
Georgetown and Cumberland. Along the
local wharves the water was higher than
usual this morning. Harbormaster Sutton
noted the rise. and said he could not make
a prediction concerning the chances Of a
flood. He was well satisfied with the work
that had been accomplished by the feet
of tugs employed to break the ice.
The river is practically clear of Ice from
point about the bridge at Georgetown to
Giesboro Point, with lie exception Of
quantity of ice from the flats. Las ice had
moved to the Long brluge and caused
gorge Of small proportions. Two Of the
tugs spent part of the morning about this
bridge getting the Ice on the move. Later
in the day they joined the other boats of
the fleet and went down the river. Consid
erable floating ice was found between Gies-
boro' Point and Alexandria, while below
Alexandria much larger quantity was
found. The gorges encountered down the
river yesterday were attacked today and
hundreds of tons Of the frozen liquid were
started toward the mouth Of the river. It
was stated this afternoon that the tugs
will remain on duty two or three days
longer.
While there Is an unbroken sheet of ice on
the river above Georgetown, most of the Ice
farther up the river had broken, and at
some places where the irregular-shaped
cakes are piled many feet above the sur
are presented. Thousands Of people visit
ed the river front yesterday, some to watch
the work OF the fleet Of tugs and others to
view the winter scenes between George
town and Ca5in John bridge. At the lat
ter point this = 2Tning the water was con-
sfderably higher than usual and was COW
cred with floating ice.
Report From Harper's Ferry.
The report received at the weather bu-
reau from Harper's Ferry this morning
stated that the ice at that point was still
solid. Information received Saturday from
other sources was that the ice had broken
and had formed a gorge near the Balti-
more and Ohio bridge. The greatest danger
along the river seems to exist In the vicin-
ity Of Williamsport. where the heavy
gorges are resisting the thaw and high
water. Yesterday the warm sun melted
the snow on the ice and caused an inn
mense increase in the volume Of water In
the river. The iron bridge Of the Cumber-
land Valley railroad is between two I'M
mense gorges. but the structure is q strong
one. and will probably resist the force Of
the Ice when the break comes. A force OF
men Is employed keeping q channel open
under the bridge. No damage has yet been
reported. but fears are entertained for the
safety Of people on the lowlands when the
two gorges break.
The situation at Cumberland is regarded
as serious. Arrangements were made there
yesterday to use dynamite to remove an
immense gorge. The Chesapeake and Ohio
canal property. 1t Is believed, Is in danger
of serious damage.
Merchants along the river front do not
anticipate water high enough to cause any
serious mischief here
The Ice Fleets Work.
The feet Of seven ice boats. with Commo-
dore Sutton in command, left the harbor
wharf at the foot Of 7th street yesterday
morning at 8 o'clock to continue the work
started Friday morning in breaking UP the
ice. The fleet consisted Of tugs armed with
ice plows. The vessels steamed UP the
the Long bridge, three Of the boats being
left at the bridge to break the Ice which
had formed a slight gorge around the
bridge piers. The remainder Of the boats
continued to the Aqueduct bridge, but COM
paratively little Ice was found, 1t having
been broken Saturday and f1oated down the
river.
Commodore Sutton next gave the COM
mand to proceed down the river. On reach
ing Broad creek. near Fort Washington,
gorge formed by the floating Ice was en-
countered, but gave way when charged by
the feet.
At Gunston's wharf, a few miles below,
field Of broken ice. packed from shore to
shore. soon gave way before the tugs and
foated down the river.
In the evening the fleet repeated the
morning trip up to the Aqueduct bridge,
where the tugs Mohler, Carter and Minerva
went under the bridge and rendered effec-
tive work in demoishing the ice on that