Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1918-01-14
JAMES RIVER IS
OPENED TO TRAVEL
Steamer Berkley Forces Its Way
Through Heavy Ice From
Norfolk 10 Richmond.
TRAFFIC CLOSED TWO WEEKS
Cedar Works Will Reopen as
Soon as Logs Arc Received.
Gas Works Short Of Oil.

hfter battling desperately with ice
noes for more than sixteen hours the
steamer Berkeley, OF tho Old Dominion
Line. arrived In Richmond at $3.50
O'Clock last night. having been the
aret vessel to navigate the James River
ia two weeks. Attempts were made
by officers OF the company to gall the
Brandon from this city yesterday morn
Ing, but tho heavy ice smashed part
OF It's steering gear and tho vc3cc!
wan forced 10 return to its moorinss.
The Berkeley called from Norfolk yes
terday morning at o'clock. and en-
countcrcd heavy ice. Officers OF the
line. because OF the great freight con-
seation. had planned to attempt -
break channel through the Ice at
,he earliest possible moment The ice,
however. was heavier than had been
anticipated. and the Berkeley had Erca,
difficulty making headwny.
After struggling desperately. tn.
steamer reached City Point at o'clock
yesterday afternoon. and continued its
trip to Richmond.
RIVER RISES. FOLLOWING
HEAVY RAINS OVER STATE
with heavy rains Friday night. there
vas a considerable thaw in the coun-
try above Richmond, and the James
River rose slightly. Together with
slightly warmer weather near this
city. It was determined 10 attemp, 10
force passage. The suspension of
river transportation two weeks ago has
~
and shippers.
offccrs OF the Old Dominion Line
said las, night that they hoped TO
sat! the Brandon for Norfolk to-day.
!; was impossible. at that hour. be-
Cause OF the declining temperature. 10
foretell the condition OF tho river this
morning. but IT was not believed tina,
The channel would become frozen suaj-
c!cnt!y to prevent tho vessel sailing.
The damage 10 its steering scar was
only IiiSht. and repairs were made late
yesterday.
Eatiy yrsterd;.y the james River
iessatcrcd slight rise at Columbia.
wnch Tor a short time caused some
alarm in Eichmoud, bu, by noon tho
river began falling. All danger quickly
rsssed. with tho full condition of the
river materially helping 20 break tho
icc. with continuation OF slightly
warmer weather, rivermen expressed
ihe BELIEF last night that river trans
7ortation would be resumed late to-
t1y and that the channel would re-
main open.
WEATHER. BUREAU PREDICTS
MORE RAIN OR SNOW
The mercury was several d. rcea be =
low freezing in Richmond last night.
but hope was entertained that the
temperature would rise to-day Slight
rope in this direction was given by
ihc forecast OF tho Weather Bureau
for slightly rising temperature in the
eastern portion OF Virginia late to day.
with probably rain or snow. Rain. Il
ws3 pointed out would cause 4 further
thaw IN the river.
Officers OF the Richmond Cedar
Works, which closed its plant Friday Y
r!sht because II was unable to get
1895 from tie Dismal Swamp. were in
c!ose touch with the situation last
u,Sht. They said /; was impossible 10
state definitely when operations would
be resumed. but that the plant would
reopen at the earliest possible moment
we VIII hc in better condition to-
morrow to say definitely wha. VIC cy-
rcct to do" said w. j. Parrish las I
might. Weather conditions make an
accurate statement Impossible AT this
time. The, river may freeze again to-
night which would prevent our ships
moving UP tho river. Once the ice is
broken sufficiently to permit the pass
aSc OF our barGcs. no time will be lost
in resuminS operations. Only twenty
eight hours are required for the trim
between the swamp and Richmond.
and the vessels will be spcedcd to this
city:
SITUATION AT GAS WORKS
CAUSES SOME WORRY
Opening Of the river 10 tranSporta-
ton will be OF the utmost Importance
10 thc City Gas Works, which has been
running for nearly Two weeks Oh =
scant supply of oil. Two bargcs are
held by the ice at Norfolk. with the
necessary oil to operate the plant bHn g
shipped TO Richmond in tank cars II
il expected tlat Efforts will be made
TO move tho oil barGes q; once.
For several davs Supcrinte ndcnt
Knowles has faced serious situation.
He has been unable TO obtain more 'han
:; three days supply Of oil for the gas
plant, while the consumption has been
The heaviest in the history Of the plant
iic has been dependent entirely upon
The railroads. and tho congestion OF
f-ciSht traffic has caused him consid
rabIc worry. The oarGes contain sum.
,.ent oil to supply the works f.r some