Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1904-03-03
Views Of the Commissioners.

Commissioners Mcfarland, West and
Biddle accompanied HarbOrmaster Sutton
Yesterday afternoon to the scene OF the
gorge in the Potomac, about mile above
Georgetown. The District authorities
viewed the gorge at close range, and saw
the work being performed by the tug boat
fleet under direction of Harbormaster SUIT
ton.
In speaking of the conditions to a re-
porter for The Star today Mr.. Mcfarland
said:
Il don't believe Congress or the COM
munity appreciates fully the conditions in
the upper Potomac, where the ice has
gorged. 1t is a remarkable and unprece-
dented state of affairs If thaw comes
suddenly there will be imminent danger OF
a flood but with sufficient time l believe
the ice will break up and float safely down
the river.
THE bend in the river above the principal
gorge ought to hold back the ice farther
up the river, and the Three Sisters ought
to obstruct the rush of icebergs on the
Georgetown side of the stream, so that If
the iceboat fleet has sufficient time in which
to break up the gorge toward the Virginia
side of the river l believe flood can be
averted. The matter has been handled ex-
ceptionaily well. and if weather conditions
are favorable to us believe flood will be
avoided
Mr. mcfarland mentioned that caisson
is being constructed about one of the piers
of the Aqueduct bridge for the purpose of
repairing the pier. In case of a sudden
break of the ice he thinks the caissson will
be in danger of being washed away.
Depends on Character of Thaw.
Commissioner West, in speaking of his
visit to the Ice field. said:
Everything depends upon the character
of the thaw. If there should come sud-
den rise in the river, sufficient to carry the
81 lid body of ice down the river the danger
v ould be serious. Our only hope is in the
possibility of gradual thaw. which will
ps rmit the ice to rot and be carried down
st ream without causing jam at the Long
bl idge.
L was somewhat surprised at the exact
n. ture of the conditions seen yesterday.
There is a tremendous gorge above the
Three Sisters and should it break sud-
denly the lower part of the city will likely
be submerged in an icy flood. The work
already done by the river authorities has
been excellent, but 1t is necessarily SLOW"
Col John Biddle, Engineer Commissioner,
also expressed the opinion that the question
of a flood depends upon the nature of the
weather. Should there come a heavy rain
of two or three days DURATION said Col.
Biddle. causing big rise in the river,
there will likely be considerable trouble on
the river. The gorge above the Three
Sisters is an immense one. and is some
what threatening"
There are at several places along the
river front and in the low levels of the
city substantial reminders of Washington
floods of days gone by. Several such re-
| minders, which are usually termed water
monuments" can be found in the vicinity
of the 18th street entrance of the Monu-
ment grounds. These monuments are in
scribed with the high water marks of the
heaviest foods which have ever visited
Washington.
The right hand huge masonry posts on
which section OF the great iron gate at
the 18th street entrance to the grounds is
hung bears several high water marks
One of the marks calls to mind the food of
February II. 1891 Another mark appears
| on the post. but the ravages Of time and
of the elements have had such a wearing
effect ON the masonry that the date Of
the Hood which 1t is intended to recall is
| not legible.
The Flood Of 1889.
Directly across street. at the northwest
| corner OF that street and 18th street, there
u located anothsr water monumsnt.'-a