Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1914-01-04
WIND AND RAIN Do
DAMAGE ON RIVER
Owners of Property at Water
Front Have Difficulty Pro-
tecting Craft.
SMALLER BOATS BREAK
MOORINGS AT HIGH TIDE
Clearing and Colder Weather Pre-
dicted-Police Boat vigilant
to Do Rescue Work.

The heavy rain and wind storm which
swept over Washington and vicinity yes
terday and last night did considerable
damage and caused much apprehension
along the river front. The weather bu-
reau's bulletin last night was reassur-
ing. clearing and colder weather being
were forecasted.
The high water caused much anxiety
to owners of property along the river.
Owners Of boats that were anchored off
the shores also were uneasy. and at the
several lighthouses men were on duty to
watch the craft belonging to members.
1t was said if the water got much higher
than it was at high tide at 1 o'clock this
morning much damage would result.
Boatmen experienced some difficulty
protecting their craft, more especially
where the boats were grouped. and at
the Corinthian Yacht Club near the south
end OF Highway bridge, 1t was stated,
one boat was damaged by coming in
contact with another one.
Five Small Boats Adrift.
EARLY last night James Graham. a
boatman at the Twining City end of
Pennsylvania avenue bridge, reported to
the police that five small boats had gone
adrift. and the Anacostia police reported
that Stickfoot branch was much higher
than usual, although not high enough
to do any damage.
Joseph Reynolds. one Of the Oldest
boatmen on the river front, said he an
ticipated no serious damage from the
high water. The wind, he said, had
caused the water to become higher
than usual. but there was not a strong
current Most of the small boats have
been taken from the river for the win
fall Of rain will make the conditions
serious enough to damage property to
any great extent.
At the police harbor precinct this
morning it was said that the water
was not over the sea wall about Poto-
mac Park. The water. the police stated.
was about eighteen inches from the
top OF the wall opposite the harbor
precinct, not high enough to do any
damage.
Owners of oyster boats locked at
the wharf at the foot of 18th street
southwest were on the lookout for
high water during the night. Some Of
them feared II the water got much
higher their boats would be lander on
the wharf, and they were prepared to
get away from such danger at short
notice.
Police Boat to the Rescue.
Lieut.. Dean, who is in charge of the
harbor precinct, arranged for an early
morning trip of the police boat. 1t Is
probable that the boats crew will be
able to recover some Of the small boats
that last night broke from their moor
ings and drifted down the river.
1t is possible also that persons may
be aboard some of the boats anchored
out in the stream and some of them
may need assistance to get ashore. The
Vigilant will steam up the river above
Aqueduct bridge and as far down as the
District line. and possibly as far up
the Anacostia river as the Anacostia
bridge In order that the crew may give
any assistance that may be needed.
Fishermen who operate small winter
seines few miles down the river, it is
stated. will be unable to do much until
the high water disappears. They say the
high water already has affected the sup
ply Of fish from the Potomac, and the
severe storm along the coast probably
will further interfere with the catch of
the larger fish.