Evening star., 1918-02-15
FLOOD RECEDES on
POTOMAC AS GORGE
PASSES DOWN RIVER
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ing to Lewis Smoot, which had been
lying in the dredged cut close to the
Virginia shore, was moved yesterday
afternoon by the swift current coming
down the channel. but her anchors
caught and she is still all right and it
is thought will not suffer damage.
The ice in the harbor Is still intact,
though holes are showing through it
and it is becoming soft. The water
this morning was up on Stevenson's
wharf. at the foot of 7th street. and
was level with the platforms of most
of the other wharves along the harbor.
Even should the water come up on the
wharves this afternoon at high water.
little trouble is anticipated. as the lum-
Der and wood dealers have prepared for
it and the vessel owners are looking
after their craft. There is no current
in the harbor and they have only to
guard against the high water carrying
the boats upon submerged piles or on
the wharves.
Fear for Submarine Cable.
While the electric current is still on
the Highway bridge, and electric trains
are crossing it as scheduled, some fear
is felt that when the ice goes 1t Will
take the submarine cable with 1t. To
guard against any interruption OF the
service, the Potomac Electric Power
Company this morning was StringtnS
overhead feed wires across the bridge,
and from these wires the electric rail-
ways can be supplied with current.
Water is up on the driveway under tho
Highway bridge, but on each side OF
the bridge the road is dry Over on the
Virginia side of the river all the low
lands are under water and at the Co
rinthian Yacht Club the water is almost
he 81
feet of pleasure craft lying there is
protected by the approach to the High
way bridge. and it is believed they will
escape DANA ge. Some damage has been
done the new grounds being prepared
an Alexander Island for the horse
show. but this morning the water was
off the greater portion of the field.
Not Permitted to Stop.
While spectators are allowed out on
the Highway bridge, the military guard
will not permit automobiles to stop on
the bridge. Reports received from Oc-
coquan state that the danger from ice
and high water there has passed. The
ice went out without loss of wood, ties
and other material piled high on the
creek front. The retreating water has
left ice piled ten or fifteen feet high in
the lower streets of Occoquan town.
At the Norfolk and Washington line
office this morning it was stated that
be made to start the steamer Southland
from Norfolk to this city for the pres
ent. No anxiety is felt for the safety
of the steamer Northland. in the ice at
self when released. There has been no
communication with Indian Head by
water for more than forty-eight hours.
Believes Crisis Passed.
Dolph Reynolds, who has been in the
boating business in Georgetown practi-
cally all his life, said he thought the crisis
O'Clock. He said there was no reason for
closing the Aqueduct bridge last night.
AT o'clock yesterday morning." he
said, there was a mountain of ice in the
river. but later the conditions improved.
There is no likelihood of flood at this
time. most of the ice having gone down
the river. What comes from up the river
will be ground to pieces coming over the
rocks and will be in condition that it
will not be able to form gorge
VIII Reynolds boathouse. the foot of
34th street, headquarters for many an
glers. was partly under water yesterday.
All the small boats. including many
canoes. were removed to places far above
a point that high water could reach, but
the Fisherman. a largo fishing launch,
was taken down the river
THE Fisherman this morning was rest
ing on a big cake of ice near the Lincoln
Memorial" said Mr.. Reynolds. "and be-
heve it will be saved
Bladensburg People Relieved
Residents of Bladensburg yesterday
felt much relieved when the high water
Of the day before receded. 1t had not
disappeared altogether but had gone
far below the danger line. and there
was no fear of further danger unless a
heavy rain set in. The receding waters
had left large deposits OF ice on the
roadway and sidewalks. and here and
there a large pool of water had been
left in yards of some of the dwellings.
Strangely enough, the high waters
did an amount of road building in the
lower part of the town. Large deposits
of gravel were left where road repairs
were most needed. and. it is stated,
when the water disappeared the new
road presented the appearance of fav-
ing been rolled.
Below Bladensburg and as far as the
mouth of the Eastern branch or Ana
costa river there was high water
Above Benning bridge much of the low
garden land was under water for a
time, and the boathouse near Benning
bridge just managed to keep above the
high-water mark. Boatmen were busy
looking after their small boats.
pnfnmor RIorL hhoA,a