Evening journal., 1904-02-22
Scow Broke It's MOOrin9s
at the HiIIes De Jones
Wharf and Dashed
Into the Railroad
Bridge
Could Not Be DisIodeed
So Contractors Blew 1t
Up With Dynamite.
Mills Near the City
Damaged

The Brandyycine has again been con-
verted into o. raging torrent by the
heavy rains that have caused the snow
TO melt on the banks. which slope to-
ward the stream for a distance OF
twenty miles on either side.
The river has overfowed its banks
all along, but people living close, stil
having in mind the flood Of early Feb
ruary. prepared for the freshet when
the warm rain began TO fall. As con-
sequence, but little damage has been
done, although the water reached a
point but a few feet lower than the
previous freshet.
Brandywine Bridge Threatened.
There has been but one accident re-
ported. 1t may end seriously however
to the Pennsylvania Railroad Com
pany. A big barge was wrenched from
its moorings at the wharf of Hilles &
Jones Company and crashed against
the railroad bridge with terrific force.
The structure trembled beneath the
blow and the tracks were knocked out
OF plumb. A force of workmen who
were stationed at the bridge to await
an emergency soon repaired the first
damage. A greater one, however,
threatened the structure. The big
scow was wedged tight in the bridge
and try as they did the smployes could
not dislodge it.
Blown up by Dynamite.
Several attempts were made this
morning to get il away but to no avail.
A shifting engine on the bank was even
resorted to, but could not bulge the
scow. The big cable which was attach
ed to it snapped like a string when the
engine tried to draw the barge against
the tide.
Finally a charge Of dynamite was
put under the barge and it was blown
up.
This morning the water reached
within two feet OF the bridge.
Timber. Coming Down Stream.
Big pieces of timber. logs and boards
are tumbling down the stream with the
ice The roar Of the river can be heard
for some distance. The ice is plunging
and tumbling. grinding against the
banks and throwing up a spray.
A Beautiful Sight.
1t is a beautiful sight to see the
angry waters burdened with its cakes
of ice rushing. swirling toward the
river. Big crowds lined the banks this
morning to witness the spectacle.
Ice Leaving the christiana.
In the Christiana almost the same
conditions exist as in its sister stream.
but it is not so violent. The stream is
wider and the ice is passing out quietly.
The banks are secured and aside from
an overflow in South Wilmington from
which no bad results have emanated
there is no damage done.
-
a turbulent condition. II is said the
stream was never seen to raise so high.
Its banks are overhowed for many
miles. At Stanton the water is in the
streets but no damage is reported.
Mills Forced to Close.
Several of the big mills along the
Brandywine were forced to shut down
this morning. The Rockford mills ran
until o'clock. but the water became so
high they had to stop. The Augustine
Mills also were interfered with by the
freshet and were forced to close.
Reports from further up the Bran
dywine are to the effect that although
the water is high no damage has been
done.
Not As High AS Former Floods.
In the district over Eleventh street
bridge the water came within three feet
OF being as high as the flood OF a
month ago. 1t was as far inland as
Thatcher street. Preparations are be-
ing made for the next high tide which
comes in about 5 o'clock tonight. Peo-
pie living near the stream are moving
their household effects upon the recond
floor.
Many think the tide of tonight will
be much higher than the one Of this
morning. They give as their reason
that the ice has backed much of the
water up stream and that the thaw will
cause 1t TO come down tonight