Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1903-12-12
ON THE RIVER FRONT
REPORTED ORGANIZATION OF A
SAND COMPANY.
Death Of an Old Ship Carpenter-ves-
sells Wanted for Potomac Charters
Other Matters.

It is reported along the river that new
company, backed by Baltimore capital. has
been organized to dig sand from the Poto-
mac, and that the company is building its
diggers and lighter, and has an agent out
securing options in sand bottoms in the
river. Operations are to begin in the
spring, 1t Is said, as soon as all danger Of
Ice is over. The company will start bust
ness with two modern understanding ma
chimes and six or eight large scows, and
will give employment to a large force of
hands. Wharf room will, 1t Is stated. be
secured at Georgetown and on the Eastern
branch, and wharyes fitted with derricks
for the speedy unloading of the sand-laden
scows are to be built.
The fish market on the 11th street wharf
continues very dull and the dealers do not
look for any sharp revival in business I'M
til after the holidays. The stock of fresh
fish, which consisted mainly of bass. mullets.
winter shad and few river-caught fish,
was but small.
Three small vessels with fairly large car
goes Of Potomac river and bay oysters
aboard came into port yesterday evening
and last night, and the demand today was
quite brisk. Prices still range from about
60 cents to 81. % per bushel.
Wild ducks are in fair demand and are
selling well at high prices. Most of the
stock on sale comes from the vicinity of
Norfolk
The pile-driving machine which was
brought up from Alexandria Wednesday
is employed in the driving of the line of
piles on which the stationary pipes will be
laid from the southeastern corner of the
Potomac Park to the channel near the
forks of the channel buoy, where the float
ing pipes will be connected with 1t. and
through them the liquid mud will be
pumped ashore.
Mr.. J. H. Clapdore, who died at Alex
~. 49,
oldest ship carpenters in this section of
the county In his early days Mr.. Clap
dore worked on many Of the famous old
wooden ships of tho navy which were built
at the navy yard here. He had many
friends in this city.
OF General Interest.
The work Of rebuilding the Philadelphia
barge Chickahomny, at the Alexandria
marine railway, is practically completed,
and the barge was put overheard yester-
day afternoon. The barge was damaged
by being blown ashore during one of the
recent gales.
The fear Of vessel masters that they may
be caught by ice in the river makes them
very unwilling to charter to bring a cargo
to this city, and as a Consequence there
is dearth of vessels here just now, al
though freight rates have advanced in the
last two or three weeks.
The power yacht Charlotte has been haul
ed out for the winter at Reagans boat
yard. at the foot Of 18th street southwest
Five other large pleasure craft are also out
Of the water at Reagan's.
Large quantities Of holly are being
brought to this city on every trip of the
steamers coming up the river. The holly is
very fine this year and is covered thickly
with berries.
The army lighter Pontonier has been
taken to the 9th street wharf of the Amer
lean Ice Company and laid up there for the
winter months.
A flock Of a dozen or more wild ducks
were seen on the river between this city
and Alexandria yesterday afternoon, and
are the first that have been seen In this
vicinity for several weeks.
The ram schooner Thomas J. Shryock
came up to this city yesterday to complete
the unloading of her cargo of lumber The
Earl Biscoe also came into port yesterday
with q cargo of cord wood.
The barge Lily of the West Is at the
wharf at Fort Washington unloading q
cargo of pine lumber from Norfolk. Va
The lumber is to be used In the buildings
In course of construction at the fort
Sand Dredger No. of the Columbia Sand
Company, which has been overhauled at
the Alexandria shipyards. was yesterday
taken down the river by the tug Selectman,
and WILL 1t is understood. go to work near
Bryan's Point.
Mr.. John F. Blocker of Baltimore has
been appointed assistant engineer on the
Cape Charles lightship