Evening star., 1904-04-28
ON THE RIVER FRONT
WATER SAID TO BE sHoALING IN
NoMINI CREEK.
New Lighter for Local Service-Deep-
ening Water at River Land
ings-Vessels Arriving.

Nomini creek, one of the most important
tributaries of the Potomac river and
which is connected with this city by a tri-
weekly steamboat service, is reoorted to
be rapidly shoaling The steamboat men
say that If the same rate of fill is kept up
as is going on now 1t will only be a year
or two before the creek is closed to naviga-
tion except for small craft. Capt. Bailey
Reed, master of the steamer Arrowsmith,
reports that his steamer touched bottom
twice In coming out of the creek on a low
tide last week. The creek is supposed to
have about twelve feet of water in a cut
dredged by the government ten or twelve
years ago, but 1t has, it Is stated, filled
four or five feet in that time. The fill 9
caused by the sand blowing over brick
retaining wall into the creek channel.
Business was quite brisk at the whole
sale fish market on the 11th street wharf
this morning, many country people taking
lay in their supply for sailing and smok-
ing for winter use About 100000 herring
were aboard the vessels coming up from
the fishing shores this morning, and they
sold at 81 to 50 per thousand. Shad are
scarce and prices were higher, roes bring
ing 35 to 40 cents each and bucks IS to
% cents each. Bunch fish were scarce
and sold well at good prices. Less than
on sale at the wharf market this morning,
but the demand was very light Good
oysters could be bought for 45 cents per
bushel. and the best stock at the wharf
sold for so cents per bushel. CLAIMS are
in demand. but the supply is small. They
sell at 60 cents per hundred.
Deane & Son, boatbuilders at Alexandria,
have the contract for the building of
large lighter for T. c. Smith of this city.
The lighter, which will be quite a large
one, will be used In the transportation of
lumber about the harbor and to nearby
points on the river. The material for the
construction Of the scow is being made
ready, and the work on the vessel will
begin at once. She will be ready for
service before the end of next month.
The schooner Jennie w. Huddell, which
was purchased several days ago by Messrs.
L. A Clark, Harry Carter and James 0.
Carter of this city and Capt. John Martino
of Baltimore. has been turned over at New
York to her new owners, and has sailed
under the command of Capt. Martino for
the Chesapeake. The Huddell will be used
for the wood and lumber carrying business
from Chesapeake bay ports to those on the
North Atlantic coast.
General News of the Port.
Barge No 19 of the Consolidation Coal
Company completed the loading of a cargo
Of about 1900 tons of coal at Georgetown
and has sailed in tow Of the tug William H.
Yerkes jr., for the mouth Of the Potomac
where she will be turned over to an OCEAN
going tug to be towed up the coast to Bos-
ton. Barge is lying at the Georgetown
coal piers, taking aboard cargo OF CUM
berland coal.
Deane's dredging machine did not dredge
the dock at Alexandria as reported, but has
gone TO Fort Washington. where she Will
deepen the water about the new wharf
From Fort Washington the tug Will be TAX
en- to High Point, near Gunston wharf
where she will be employed In some dyking
work for the High Point Plantation Com
pany. On the return OF the dredge to Alex
andria she will do some dredging work
about the docks there.
Capt. Frank Taylor, who has been con-
fined 20 his home in this city by Illness, has
recovered and is out again. He will leave In
a few oays for Newport News to assume
command Of the tug M. Mitchell Davis OF
this city.
The handsome steam yacht Gretchen, be
longing tC Mr.. John E. Reyburn of this city,
is back in port from a trip to North Caro-
lima, with her owner and his family and
several friends aboard. 1t is stated the
yacht will remain here until she leaves on
Ter regular summer cruise up the Atlantic
coast.
The power launch belonging to Mr.. James
A. Nicholson has been fitted with a new
gasoline engine at Cumberland's boat yard
at the foot of 9th street and has been put
overheard ready for service.
The bargeS Bush and Sea King and the
schooner Father and Son. laden with rail-
way ties from the lower Potomac, have ar
rived.
The schooner George C. A. Travers is in
port with a cargo Of about 1900 feet of
pine lumber from a Virginia port
The schooners VIM. c. Kerwin, Henry r.
Travers, Martha E. Moore and the Emily
Washington have arrived from Virginia
lumber ports with cargoes of pine lumber.
The schooners John P. Robinson and Peri
are in port with loads of cord wood.
The schooner Charles P. Finney is lying
at the wharf foot of K street southwest to
discharge her cargo of lumber.
The barge Elko sailed yesterday light for
Norfolk to load lumber for northern port.
The schooner Edith E. Verrall is in port
with a full cargo of cord wood for the
dealers.
The schoon arz w. P. Snow completed the
unloading of cargo of lumber yesterday
and sailed for a Virginia lumber port to
bring another cargo here.