Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-01-07
ON THE RIVER FRONT
ANOTHER HANDSOME PLEASURE
LAUNCH BUILDING.
Rain Softening Ice Along River-Game
Birds Starving to Death
Other. Matters.

The engine for the new fortyfoot launch
building at Cumberland's boat house for
Mr.. Gus Forsberg has arrived and will be
installed in the boat as soon as the hull is
ready to receive it. The work on the new
launch is being pushed in order to have it
ready for service as soon as the ice leaves
the river. The launch, when completed, will
be one of the largest vessels of its class
owned here, and will be complete in all its
appointments, having a kitchen, toilet
rooms and living room aboard, as well as
sleeping accommodations for six or eight
persons Mr. Forsberg will use the launch
for pleasure purposes on the Potomac and
Chesapeake bay.
The wholesale fish market on the 18th
street wharf was quite dull this morning,
there being but few buyers on hand and the
purchases being light There was small
supply of fish from southern and nearby
sources on SALE and prices ranged at about
the figures quoted yesterday.
On the oyster wharf business was also
dull The supply of the bivalves aboard the
vessels lying at the wharf was ample to
meet brisk demand, but the demand was
quite small. Prices ranged from 65 cents to
81 5 per bushel, according to the grade OF
stock wanted.
Ducks were scarce, but when in good con-
dition sold readily and at good prices.
The steamers arriving here from lower
river points yesterday report having run
through heavy ice from Maryland Point
to this city The rain of yesterday ana
last night has softened the ice somewhat
and unless there comes another speil OF
freezing weather the steamboat men look
for the early disappearance of the ice.
Worlmen are aboard the Mt. Vernon and
Marshall Hall line steamer Charles Mac
alester giving her a general overhauling
in prepare ton for the coming excursion
season on the river. A considerable por-
ton of the main deck Of sthe steamer IS
Lilo r,sry,n
are being looked after. When the steamer
returns to service she will be in the best
of order for efficient service.
The Baltimore bark Essex, which sailed
from Charleston, s. c., for New York
thirty days ago and has not yet arrived
at her destination, is causing fear that
she has met with disaster in some one OF
the recent gales on the Atlantic. The
Essex is known at this port, her last visit
here having been made about eight months
ago.
General River News.
Reports coming from the counties in
Maryland and Virginia along the lower
otomac state that the game birds are
dying in large numbers in the woods, due
it is thought, to the extremely cold weather
and the fact that the ground, being COW
cred with snow, has prevented the birds
from obtaining food. The robbing of the
woods Of holly and other greens, on which
the birds feed, for Christmas decorations
IS another cause of the birds starving TO
death.
Capt James Geoghegen is again this win
ter in command Of the Baltimore ice-break-
ing boat Latrobe, which went into COM
mission few days ago.
The big flag pole building at the boat
yard of Cumberland & Son for use at the
marine barracks will be completed WITHIN
the next day or two. The pole, which was
trimmed from big stick of heart pine
timber, is 81 feet long and had been in the
water for eight or ten years seasoning.
There are no new developments in the
situation of the ferry between Alexandra
and Washington and there seems to be but
little prospect of boat going on the route.
The new company organized at Alexandria
two or three weeks ago held meeting a
few days ago, but as far as can be ascer-
tanned no steps have been taken looking
to the securing of a boat.
The steamer e. James Tull has arrived
in port with cargo of pine lumber from
Nomini creek.
The bugeye r. H. Stuart is reported in
the river on her way to this city with
cargo of oysters
The schooner Isabelle Is in port with
load of cord wood from the lower river for
the dealers.
One of the naval ordnance foundry gun
barges with about hundred tons of soft
coal aboard left port today for Indian Head.
The schooner Cora McKenney is lying at
Alexandria, out of service until the river
is open to navigation by sailing vessels.
The barge Daniel Is lying in Nomini creek
with cargo of cord wood aboard awaiting
an opportunity to come to this city.