The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1905-02-12
WILL BREAK ICE
WHEN 1HAW STARTS
HarbOrnaster Points Out
Need for Action.
DANGER Ar LONG BRIDGE
Multiplicity of Piers and Piles Driven
IN River Increases LIkeh-
hood of Gorge.

In spite of the moderation of the in
J tense cold wave which for several weeks
has swept over Washington, there
seems to be practically no prospects of
opening the channel for days to come.
The river. save for q narrow course
cut gby the Norfolk boats, is covered
With ice over twelve inches thick, and
although the weather is perceptibly
warmer, Harbormaster Sutton still
thinks it entirely too cold TO begin the
work OF breaking up the ice. 1t is
necessary TO give the elements every
consideration in this undertaking. for
should the work of breaking the ice be
followed by another cold wave. the cakes
would Immediately freeze together, and
the District would have been put TO sew
erai thousand dollars of needless ex-
pense
1t Is therefore the intention of the
Harbormaster to wait until the thaw
sets IN, and then complete the work
with rush.
Depends on the Weather.
When seen yesterday Harborrnaster
Sutton said the date on which he
would start to open the Potomac chan
mel would be governed entirely by the
weather
-of course said he, Il will have TO
wait for the appropriation but even
had received it, / should not start the
work for several days at least. I am
ready at all times. but it would be fool
1sh 10 attempt to break up the Ice at
crescent IL IS absolutely stationary, and
In such condition is not at all daE-
gerous
Should [ break il up. there would he
but little change in the conditions. The
cakes could not move, and unless we
Kept working night and day until the
thdW sets IN, they would very quickly
freeze together again 1 am in no hurry
To start. but when l do I shall make
the ice fly. L have more boats than
ever before, and expect no difficulty in
clearing the channel. unless 1t be at the
Long bridge.
Danger at Long Bridge.
ihefe are so many spans there, and
am given TO understand that the piles
which have been driven there may nile
up the ice and form a dangerous gorge Of
course. We can't tell yet. but I, for one,
would not be at ali surprised to see
fenhssiVania avenue covered with sew
efal feet OF water. The ice is very
thick. and is apt to prove troublesome
should it pile up at Long bridge.
ar. Sutton said he believed half the
residents of Washington to be absolutely
ignorant OF the danger OF a frozen river.
ne men who break up the ice he said.
tthe taelf lives in their hands AT auv
Tune the tugs are apt to be wedged in
DetEeen Two gorges and crushed as if
hIade OF paper. Rarely is there n tug
engaged in ice breaking that is not in
some way damaged, and often totally
destroyed by the work These however
are chances which they must take
Owners Are Responsible.
Mr.. Sutton sees the captain or owner
OF the tug and asks him his price pei.
! day, This ranges from $40 10 800. the
District under no circumstances to be
held responsible in case CT accident.
Mr.. Sutton said he wished to deny
the statement that the channe! was
open, There is d little channel cut by
the two Norfolk boats. but there ism I
side wheel boat or sailboat that
could use II. There are q great many
people in Virginia who are practically
smut on from everybody. The only
way in which they can get food and
other necessities is overland, and it is
for this reason I hope soon 10 be at
work breaking UP and getting rid of the