New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1907-02-23
FLOOD ON THE HEIGHTS.
BIG W4TER MAIN BURSTS.
Dynamite the Cause-SUb5ray and
Buildings ImperHIed.

\ blast OF dynamite just before ycster-
day sert torrent Of millions Of gallons Of water
tearing through TIE streets in the Washington
Heights section flooding tho cellars Of houses
End causing crowds 10 fee from the rapidly
rising food without going through the forIaalijy
II gathering their belongings together.
stick Of dynamite in a large excavation on
the west side of Broadway between 144th and
j45th streets caused tae trouble The contract
ors VINO have the work are Kelly & 90. About
fifty men were at work in the big hole when
the roar Of the blast WAS heard, and shower
81 rocks. dirt and sections Of the big four foot
water main which supplies that section Of III
city with water were tossed upward 10 a height
OF a hundred feet
In incredibly short time the great excaYa-
tion began 10 fiji, and then the men at work were
forced 20 fee for their lives all Of them being
drenched with the icy water With yell Of
warning 70 those on the street they climbed out
OF the wHirl OF water.
AT the street level the freshet started down
the steep hin, rushing like a millrace toward
tie Hudson River, hundred feet below.
AZ Twelfth avenue and 14tth street are
two five story apartment houses the Cora
snd the Elise No. 613 To G19 West Hath
street. When the water struel, these buildings
with a roar like that of Niagara, II was feared
that the foundations would give way, and The
tenants decided that the safest thing To do was
TO yacate without ceremony.
NEARLY DROWNED IN BASEMENT.
The basement windows gave way giving the
torrent free access to the cellar and areaway.
In the basement of No. els lives Mrs Otto
Streethoff. She was at work in the kitchen
when the food came upon her, cutting off her
escape from both the front and rear doors Up
TO her waist in the fast rising water, she finally
y7,..
opening on the areeway. and when she dropped
from the window it was only to discover that
the water had also taken possession OF THAI
spot. She called for help at tho same time tr,-
ing 70 scramble out of her perlous position.
Her cries attracted the attention Of several mon
the first floor. who let down rope to the
Hreswav. Finally she managed 20 retain firm
grasp OF the rope. tying II about her waist and
was pulled up TO the first floor. She let her
small dog Tiny. which she had been carrying
under her ann. drop hack into the water He
coon drowned.
The torrent swept toward the river. flooding
cellars and Easements on its way and throwing
the tenants into panic. Help finally came in
the shape of Inspector Sweeney and the reserves
Of the West 125tn street station. They vera
aided by 1Iillne-, who already has p record as
a lifessver. having received & Congressional
medal in 1881 for rescuing three persons from
the boat Seawanhaka when she burnt to the
waters edge in Hell Gate. They up ladders
and plsuks n the first floors. on which tho
scared occupants slid 10 the street in safety
while onlookers at the top Of the hill cheered
FEARS FOR THE SUBWAY.
The officials Of the subway had been advised
n the food, and 4 corps Of officials was dis
patched 10 the scene quickly as they could
make their way uptown. fearing that the rush
Of water would cave in the covering Of the sub
way, which at this point is only five feet Al
thickness.
After a searching examination had failed to
discover any weakness in the roof Of the sub
way. it was decided that it would be safe TO
a watch was maintained. So steep was the
Ill., however, at the entrance to the tunnel
that the water was swept down with great
speed. finally bringing up against a stout stone
wall on the west side Of Riverside Drive ard
144th street, and from there running south TO
1921 street. where it gradually coursed down
10 the tracks Of the New York Central. and lost
itself in the Hudson.
The Water Department having beers called by
the Police Department, sent half 2 huadred men
10 the break where they set to work repair tie
damage. 1t was fully an hour before they could
make any Roadway with the geyzer IN the ex-
csvstion.
Before the food finally cut OF, the water
in the Easements of the two apartments d, No
SIS to 6l9 West l44th street had risen to q
height of over six feet Ruiz. the ianitor ran u