Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-22
BREAKING THE ICE.

greatly with the progress of the tugs.
which We're engaged in ramming the ice by
making a series of charges against the
frozen masses With each charge the tugs
advanced from twenty to- twenty-five feet,
sending the broken ice foes in every direc-
ton
The sensation produced upon those on the
decks of the tugs was peculiar. AS the
little boat struck the ice its prov would
rise in the air and descend with a loud,
crashing noise, the sensation being some
what like that of being on car which has
jumped the track and is humping along
The bows of the boats would rise from
three to four feet at each charge against
the frozen surface. The work at times was
exciting in the extreme.
1t at first believed the work of the
long steamboat Estelle Randall would far
exceed that of the little tugs, but this
proved not to be true. it is said the quick
movements and ramming proclvities of the
smaller boats rendering them more effective.
The attack on the ice by the feet was wit
messed by a number of men, boys and even
women who lined the shores and bridges.
while some of the more daring spirits
walked out upon the ice and witnessed the
operations at close range. Amateur pho
tographers were also in evidence and made
snapshot pictures of the battling tugboats
and the churning ice as it was broken from
the main surface of the river.
A small boy who had ventured far out on
the ice to see the ice show as he termed
the operations, sang out to Commodore
Sutton:
Gee, but this would be a good time to
start a ice house and stock it full of Po-
tomac ice for next summer; 'twouldn't be
so high priced
Spirit of Rivalry Excited
good-natured rivalry sprang up between
several of the tug captains to see which
could work the faster and smash the most
ice The crew of the Juno. proud that
their little steamer was Commodore SUIT
tons flagship worked like tartars and
easily outstripped all competitors.
Mention was made of the fact that two
of the tugs were too small for the stalwart
work required of them and the suggestion
was made that they be used as dispatch
boats. The Juno met with an accident yes
terday afternoon by breaking her rudder
The accident occurred while the tug was
forcing her way through the ice to reach
this city and report to Harber Master SUIT
ton for duty this morning. 1t was at first
feared that the dauntess little craft could
not be repaired in time to participate in the
attack today but by dnt of hard work she
was repaired in time to accept the post of
honor in the fleet.
Weather Bureaus Prediction,
Prof. Garriott of the weather bureau
stated this afternoon that the meteoroIogi-
cal conditions would continue favora BILE for
the work of the ice-breaking fleet and that
the elements would even assist in the labor
The temperature will continue moderate
he said, and there is no cold weather in
sight.
1T is just the kind of weather that is
needed, added Professor Garriott for
causing gradual thaW on the river There
is nothing in sight in the way of weather
to cause apprehension or damage on the
Potomac or any other river in the central
region OF the country. The cloudy and
threatening weather of today will be sue
ceeded by fair weather tomorrow"