New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-10-12
PASSAIC IN DARKNESS.


days. Yesterday afternoon eleven bridges
spanned the river between this city and Easton.
while tonight, it is reported here, only three
remain All last night the river rushed madly
along. and one after another the big super
structures OF the bridges were swept into the
seething flood. To-day the river banks above
this city were lined with wreckage. In some
Instances whole spans of the bridges were
washed ashore almost intact.
The bridges reported to have been destroyed
were those at Riegelsville. Milford, Frenchtown,
Ravenrock, Stockton, Lambertville Washing
toms Crossing and Yardley. There also a
report. lacking confirmation account Of the
severing Of communication that the new steel
bridge between Point Pleasant and Byram had
fallen with the others. The only bridges known
20 be standing south of Easton are the Phila-
delphia and Reading Railway bridge near Yard
ley, the Calhoun Street Bridge at this city, and
the two bridges Of the Pennsylvania Railroad
In South Trenton. one Of which is now being dis
mantled. Most OF the bridges carried away were
Of the old wooden truss variety, with covered
superstructures, and cost from $4,000 to $685.
600 each. They were familiar landmarks to
every one who has traversed the Delaware. and
Will probably be replaced by more modern steel
structures.
The Calhoun street BRIDGE at this city,
recently purchased Dy the johnston lrOlley
Syndicate, and. while standing, is badly bent in
places. due to the impact of the other bridges
that crashed against it in the night. The police
would not allow any one to cross it to-day. The
destruction of the bridges will entail much loss
to Pennsylvania farmers and others who
accustomed to use them in shipping farm and
dairy products by rail on the Jersey shore.
The rise of the river here was unprecedented
reaching twenty-five feet below the Trenton
falls and thirty feet above that point The
water began to recede this afternoon, and to-
night had dropped five feet.
General Superintendent +. L. Sheppard of the
PENNSYLVANIA Railroad announced tonight that
he and the engineers had agreed on a plan
which might relieve the company from recur-
rences of the tie-up at this point. The plan
contempates the raising of the Delaware and
Raritan Canal through this CITY, by abandon
ing the State-st lock and carrying the higher
level to the works Of the Roebling company, In
South Broad-st. This would permit the raising
of the railroad tracks which pass under the
canal and would relieve the Amboy division as
well as the main line The cost OF the undertake
ing would be large, but Mr.. Sheppard said his
company was determined to take some steps.
The Delaware and Raritan Canal is closed,
but Superintendent Dunn said tonight that ne
hoped to have IL reopened within two days
There is break IN the canal of 16O feet at
Stockton, another Of 60 feet near the Turnpike
bridge, on the Summit Level, and others at
Bound Brook and Brookviile. There in
Vulnerable more washouts all along the banks.
Trolley traffic in this region has not suffered
proportionately with the railroads. The damage
to the Calhoun-st. bridge has cut the Johnston
lines between New-Jersey and Pennsylvania
but they are running on either side of the
river. Both lines from here to Princeton are
again in operation South of Mercer County
the trolleys are badly crippled
The scenes in this city to-day were a repe-
tition of those Of yesterday. Boats were the
only method of communication in South Tren-
ton. While serious. the conditions are not with
out humor. Mrs. Duffy, of Fair-st went
to help Mrs. Malloy pack up her house
hold goods while the waters were rising last
ight When the two women had finished stor-
ing everything movable in the attic egress was
cut off by the water. Later a boat went to
their assistance. Mrs. Malloy climbed into the
boat from ladder, but Mrs Duffy who is very
stout. could not get through the small window
She kept prisoner in the house all night
and vigorously berated her neighbor for desert
IN q