Evening star., 1909-04-11
GENERAL NEWS GATHERED
ALONG THE RIVER FRONT

The EideWheel steamer L. V. Arrow
smith. which has been lying out OF serv-
ice at the wharf foot Of 1917 street TOR
the past five months, left last night for
Baltimore, where she will be docked and
put IN good order for excursion work on
the river In the coming summer. The
little tug.SCapt. Toby, was alongside the
steamer yesterday pumping the boiler full
of water, and coal and other sup
plies are being placed on the boat.
Steam was made in her boiler and her
machinery. recently rebuilt. was tested.
Under the command Of Capt. Harry s.
Randall the steamer sailed last night.
The docking of the steamer is for the
purpose of examining her hull under the
water to make such repairs as may be
necessary to put the boat in order for
service The Smith will be used for
colored excursion work during the coming
season.
The April breezes, which have been
blowing with more than ordinary force
since Thursday last, are responsible for
the extremely low water in the river yes
terday and last night.
In the harbor here many Of the vessels
were on the bottom and the river
fats about this city were bare
the fishermen on the river from working
their nets and the steamers arriving from
river points had light consignments Of
fish in consequence. Low water in the
creeks along the Potomac gave the
steamers on routes between this city and
the creek landings considerable trouble
in making the landings. but it is under
stood, with very few exceptions, all were
made. At low water yesterday = tides
were about three feet below ysual
low water level but will retur14&b their
normal level as soon as the wins cease
blowing. April is the low water month
and steamboat and water men look for
low tides during its continuance.
The work of painting the big steamer
st. Johns and putting 1t in condition for
excursion work on the Potomac during
the coming summer is rapidly approach
ing completion. and early in the coming
week the steamer will be ready for ac-
tive service. 1t is stated that the first
trip of rhe season will be made by the big
boat in the latter part of this month.
Arrived: Schooner j. P. Robinson pine
lumber from Potomac point: bugeye
Halle X, oysters In the shell from lower
Potomac beds; sloop Poindexter, oysters
from a bay point; tug Capt Toby, with a
tow of lighters from Broad creek; schoon-
er Irene, cord wood from river point at
Alexandria: tug Meade. towing sand
laden lighters from digging machines
down river.
Sailed: Sloop Volunteer, light, for low
er river point to load back to this city;
schooner Urbanna, for Virginia point to
load lumber for this market; schooner
j. C. Brenner light, for a Potomac point
to load oysters in the shell; schooner
Helen Doyle, light, for Newport News
I'm tow Of tug Camilla: schooner Edith
Verral. light, for Potomac point to load
for this port: schooner Rio Grande, light,
for tile James river to load lumber back
to this city: tug Carter, with a tow for a
river point.
Memoranda: Schooner Annie c.. Grace
and barge George May have arrived at
Baltimore from this city in tow of tug
Yerkes: bugeye Eleanor Russell is in
Chicamuxen creek loading for this port;
schooner Oakland is in Chicamuxen creek
loading wood for the dealers here; power
barge Louisa is .at Baltimore laden with
lumber from the Potomac; tug Dixie has
sailed from Baltimore with tow of coal
laden barges for this city.
The little tug d. M. Key of the Taylor
fleet, which has been lying out of service
at this city the greater part of the win
ter. went into commission for the sum-
mer day or two ago, under command Of
Capt. Charles Raley. The boat is work
ing under charter as tender to local mud
dredging machines.
The two-masted schooner James 4. Par
sons. Capt. Kennard. yesterday complet-
ed loading cargo of 1900 bushels of
oyster shells for Suffolk, Va, at the 11th
street wharf. The vessel sailed yester-
day for Suffolk, Va, where the shells
will be used in oyster culture.