Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-02-08
ON THE RIVER FRONT
PROSPECTS OF A THAW GIVE
RIvERMEN PLEASURE.
New Wheel for Tug Selectman-Build-
ing Of Sand Digging Machine
General Matters.

The river men are more than pleased at
the prospect, which is now good of the
starting. within the next week or ten days.
of the side wheel steamboats, and other
craft that have been laid up for the last
six weeks owing to the Ice The danger of
a sudden thaw and the gorging of the ice
at the Long bridge Is not great, the
fleet of tug boats are already at work under
Harbormaster Suttons direction to pre-
vent such a gorge forming. The reports
from the officers of the steamers in service
say that the ice between this city and ely
mont is very heavy and is badly gorged In
places.
The fish market on the 18th street wharf
fairly brisk this NOR ming. but the
stock on hand was light, consisting princi-
paliy of southern fish from the lower part
Of Chesapeake bay and from North Caro-
lima. Prices continue high. but the warmer
weather will cause a decrease should It
continue. Oysters in the shell at the wharf
are in demand but only one boat at the
wharf has any aboard, and she only
few bushels. Practically all the supply OF
oysters now on sale at the wharf comes
from Norfolk and are brought here by ran
and by steamer. The usual high prices
prevail.
There are but few Wild ducks on sale
by the dealers at the wharf.
The building of the new sand and gravel
digging machine and the scows to be used
with her for the sand dredging company
recently organized with Baltimore capital
will, 1t is stated, be started before the end
of this month. Open ground on the river at
Alexandria has been secured, and the build
ing will be done under the supervision of
Captain Frank Phillips of this city.
The bark Essex laden with lumber for
this city. is reported lying in the Wicomco
river for shelter, and the schooner Mary I.
Doyle with cement from Red Beach. Maine.
fap Ganr cat &c i'm he al
These vessels will come up the Potomac as
soon as the tugs can bring them.
General News of the Port.
A new propeller wheel for the Columbia
Sand Company's tug ]. T. Selectman has
been received at Benefits boat yard
from the makers at Buffalo and will replace
a broken wheel on the tug. While laid up
during the winter ete machinery of the Sc
lectman has been given a thorough over
hauling, and she will be in the best of order
when she returns to service in the spring.
The tugs Eugenia and Baby of the sand
companys feet of two boats have also been
given a general overhaCling during the win
ter.
The work of overhauling and cauiking the
hull of the tug Carter has been completed
and she was put overheard saturday.
The launch Barthoidi viii be hauled out
this afternoon.
The bay schooner, Saml. l.. Russell. a
frequent visitor to this port with varying
cargoes, has recently changed owners, hay-
ing been sold by Alexander Winder of Nor
folk to Capt. Thomas X. Jones of Cam
bridge, Md. Capt. Jones formerly owned
and sailed the schooner Rover. but sold
her a short time ago. He has taken COM
mand of his purchase and will continue her
in the bay trade
The waterlogged schooner Lille. before
reported drifting about in Chesapeake bay
in the path of vessels bound up and down
the bay. was sighted Friday about five
miles northeast of Wolf Trap light, lying
on her side. She changes position with
every variation of the wind and tide.
1t is stated that the Smoot Sand Com
pany will add another tugboat to its feet.
and will have her here ready for service
in the early spring. The tugs Resale ana
Sunbeam owned by the Smoot COM
pany.
A letter received here from Capt. Ollie
Crowder. master of the tug VIM. H. Yerkes,
jr. of this city. reports the tug lying in
the Patuxent river on the lookout for yes-
sells bound up down the bay.
Mr. Vim. Shawn Of Matthews county, Vir-
ginia. has been made assistant keeper OF
Five Point light. Nd in place of Thomas
Ringgold. deceased.