The Washington herald., 1918-02-15

hoAS PiOSicss mfouSn tnc Jam.
jam at point near the steel plant.
assisted by the Northland, Of the Nor.
folk and Washington Steamboat Com
pany. which has been 7eld there ever
since $50 yesterday morning on her up
trip.
The Aqueduct Bridse at Ceorgetoxn
was closed down completely prouurr.
at O'Clock last night, and after q
careful inspection Of the bridge. Mai.
Pullman sent a request to the local
press to print the fact that all persons
who do not live on the Virginia side Of
the Aqueduct Bridge, and those not
having business on the other side, viii
not be permitted 70 cross. All seekins
70 DO so will be questioned, and II
tneir answer is not satisfactory they
VIII be turned back. This precaution
has been taken to relieve the bridge Of
curiosity seekers. who thronged there
in droves last night.
Aqueduet Bridge Menseel.
Conditions were decidedly bad at
the Aqueduct bridge, all the boat
houses on the west OF the structure b>-
ing practically doomed, while the Po-
tomac Boat Club house on the east.
II saved at all, can thank the abutffnr
arch Of the bridge for it's PROTECTING
service. John J. Nolan, vice president
and treasurer OF the Potomac cIuh.
bad q force Of men at work an Of
yeaerday removing the contents Of
the, hub % a place OF safety, continu-
ing these labors until far into the
night. but in spite OF these efforts one
Of their eight-oared racing shells was
caught by the sudden rise OF water on
the floor level with X street and
smashed TO smithereens. II was valued
at about 800.
The Dempsey lighthouses, directly
west Of the bridge: the Washington
Canoe Clubs house adjoining, and
Moore's boathouse. further along, are
all unQuestionably ruined,
Tide reached a high stage about 10
O'Clock last night. At that hour the
water had forced its way over the b.
& o. tracks along X street, in George
town. but began to recede soon after.
II was thought a channel in the cen
ter Of the river was being formed.
every indication pointing that way
from the center Of the bride at IL
o'clock.
This channel had been blocked IN
the afternoon by miniature icebergE.
forcing the waters through Little
River to a connecting point With
the Potomac below.
The closing Of the Aqueduct Bridge
did not affect the other bridges on
the river, as they are still open for
trafiic. Great hardship was enforced
on residents OF Rosslyn and other
Virginia points thereabouts on &C
count OF closing the bridge to trafic,
as many employed IN this city live
across the river.
Bridge Saves Boat Club.
The abutment of the Highway
Bridge has served as a protection
to the Corinthian Motor Boat Club,
although the water has come over
its bulkhead and necessitated the use
OF rowboats in getting to the club
house. Trifing damage has thus far
been inflicted. according to a state
ment made last night by DR.. Ben
nett, president Of the organization.
The steamboat Southland. Of the
Norfolk and Washington line, left
here Wednesday morning and got
through to Norfolk on time, accord
ing to an official Of the company.
II would thus appear that the river
is comparatively free from ice below
AAt cANEA hAdhAa NhCEN NOTLnl1nQ
was marooned at last accounts on
her trip up.
No apprehension was felt for either
the Analostan Boat Club property at
the foot OF New Hampshire avenue
northwest, or the Cumberland boat
house. at the foot Of r street north
west, up to a late hour last night.
although it was admitted both occu-
pied DrecariOus noSffions
Last midnight nine men were re-
ported helpless on a barge belong
ing to the l. F. Smoot Sand and
Gravel Company, which was caught
in an ice gorge in Little River near
Analostan Island
Members of No. 2 truck company
endeavored to shoot them a line from
horpoon gun, similar to those used
on the ssashore at life-saving stations.
Early this morning a heavier line
was gotten TO the ice-bound men and
all were rescued. Capt. p. ID. Martin
and Walter Reeves, OF No. 9 Ladder
Truck. played hero roles in the res
cue. Up to their waists in ice water.
the firemen succeeded In passing the
heavy line to the boat crew.
Psssensers Landed.
Passengers on the upbound
Northland desirous Of doing 20
were landed at Alexandria. but few
availed themselves OF this privilege.
so IL was stated by an official OF
the steamboat company. Mo~' ~
those aboard thought there was q
fighting chance of getting thrOUgh
and remained on board. AS a re-
suit they are held up.
At Great Falls the effect Of the
thaw in the upper reaches OF the
river easily could be seen. The
CONTINUED ON PAGE THREE