Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1905-02-11
ON THE RIVER FRONT
POTOMAC COVERED BY THICK ICE
FOR ABOUT A MONTH.
Work Resumed at Boat Repairing
Yards-Tug Gibbon in Service
-Harbor Matters.

1t has now been about a month since the
general navigation of the river has been
closed by ice, the present freeze having
started about January 10, and the ice be-
came heavy enough to stop the movement
of all except propeller steamers a few days
Heavy ice formed on the river
several days before Christmas, but this ice
did not become heavy enough to interfere
with the movement of the steamers, al
though 1t stopped sailing vessels except
when in tow of tugs. The last trip of the
down-river steamers was made from this
city about January 10. The river men were
expecting a thaw to come on this moon, but
the return of ice-making weather has put an
end to their bright expectations. The lay
ing up of the steamboats, has deprived
large number of persons of work, and they
are all anxiously waiting a thaw so they
can return to work and have pay days
again.
There is but little change in conditions
at the fish and oyster markets on the
wharf at the foot of 18th street, the re-
ceipts being light and coming almost en-
tirely from southern waters, the ice having
put a stop to the working of the nets at
the nearby shores. The demand for the
fish was quite light this morning and prices
keep high.
On the oyster wharf the stock on sale
comes in barrels from Norfolk and COM
mands high prices, ranging from $1.15 and
higher per bushel. The demand for the
bivalves at this price is light.
Wild ducks continue in good demand and
when of prime quality command good
prices
The Old Bay line operating a line of
steamers between Baltimore and Norfolk,
will build a new boat for the route. She
is to be one of the largest steamers on the
Chesapeake and will be named the Vir-
gnia.
The mild weather of the past two days
has allowed the resumption of out of
door work at the boatyards, and the YES
sells on the railways undergoing repairs
are being pushed to completion. At Ben
nett's railway the ironing of the hull of
the tug D. M Key is being completed, and
with good weather she should be launched
early in the next week.
AT the Alexandria shpyard the tug Eu-
genia and a large sand and gravel digging
machine are completing their overhauling,
hut they cannot be launched from the rail-
way until the ice leaves the river and al
lows the reversing of the cradle.
The steam yacht Diana, belonging to
General Crozier, is still hauled out at
Deans boatyard near Alexandria, the cold
weather having stoppea work on on , her. md
will be pushed to completion soon as
possible When the yacht is put overheard
in the spring she will be practically a new
vessel
General River News.
foot of N street southwest, used by the
steamer River Queen in running colored
excursion parties from this city during the
summer, will be started next week to meet
the requirements of the District building
inspectors office. The structure is to be
made practically new. The cold weather
has materially interfered with the work at
the ferry line wharf, but the structure will
be completed and ready for use by March 4.
The United States army tug Gibl,on,
Capt Thomas Todd, the tender to the coast
artillery stations at Fort Washington and
Fort Hunt which has been off her route
between this city and the forts for several
days owing to the heavy ice. made trip
from Fort Washington to this city and
back to the fort yesterday. 1t is under
stood the Gibbon will now endeavor to keep
her route open in order to get the daily
supplies of fresh provisions to the forts.
The washington tugs VIM H. Yerkes,
Jr., and Camilla arrived at Baltimore yes
terday with q. tow of five oyster-laden
boats. and will sail today with tow Of
light vessels for bay points. The tugs
Will keep in touch with communication
with this city. SO that they can come here