Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1907-02-18
GENERAL NEWS GATHERED
ON THE RIVER FRONT

The Taylor tug. William H. Yerkes. which
has been towing on Chesapeake bay for
several weeks, arrived in port Saturday
night and sailed yesterday. towing the
three-masted schooner Mary A. Hall TO the
capes of the Chesapeake en- route to New
York. The Hall unloaded a cargo of lum-
Der, from Jacksonville, and was taken to
Alexandria about three weeks ago to load
railway ties. While taking aboard her
cargo the freeze came. and she has been
lying at Alexandra loaded for a week or
more waiting for the ice to get in such
condition that she could sail. She has
aboard about 10000 ties from the interior
counties of Virginia, which will be used In
railway building in the north. Other ves-
sells will be taken to the Alexandra docks
to load ties for Boston and New York.
The fine weather yesterday, and the fact
that the river as far down as Alexandria
and for some distance below Is practically
free Of ice. induced the owners Of num-
Der OF the power launches that have not
down the river the first they have been
able to make for several weeks. Yesterday
afternoon there were about a dozen of
the small craft out on the river, and If the
weather remains good that number will be
largely increased next Sunday. There is
general disposition among the boat owners
to get the pleasure craft In service as soon
as possible. and 1t Is probable that there will
o. an early opening OF the boating season
on the river this year. Many Of the boats
that are hauled out will be put overheard as
soon as possible.
Gateman Underwood. in charge of the
ferry slip here, yesterday took out of the slip
an old pile about thirty feet long. which
could have broken the wheel Of the ferry
steamer had 1t hit the wheel. The pile was
noticed floating about the harbor late Sat-
urday evening. and 1t Is supposed that the
back water from the propeller of the steam
er Woodbury. washed it into the dock where
Mr.. Underwood found 1t. Where 1t came
from Is not known, and when cut up it will
make fully half a cord Of fire wood.
The United States naval tug Choctaw Sat
urday carried a new naval gun down to the
proving grounds at Indian Head Md, and
back to this city had aboard three guns
which were built at the naval ordnance
foundry here and which have completed
their tests at Indian Head. The big naval
tugs have not allowed the ice on the river
to interfere In any way with their regular
through 1t daily towing two lighters laden
with railway cars and naval guns.
The steam barge Dennis Simmons. Capt.
Simmons. which has been lying at Alex
andrfa for two weeks, did not sail until
yesterday, and then the tug Camilla went
the Ice, which Is said to be still quite neavy
about Glymont. The Camilla will bring
a tow of oyster-laden vessels back to this
market.
The Washington-owned tug. NJ. Mitchell
Davis. Capt Toby Taylor commanding. ar
rived at Baltimore Saturday with tow Of
bay vessels, and was hauled cut on the
marine railway at Beacham's yard to have
the iron on her hull, which has been broken
from running through the ice. renewed. She
will also have her tail shaft drawn and
sleeve renewed and repairs made to her
machinery.