The Washington times., 1924-05-14

their cellars and the first, floor Of
their homes.
Rowboats were in use today at
Boiling Field, and the grounds OF
the Naval Air Station The waters
have swept up for a hundred or
more yards in the area occupied
by the army and navy.
HOanes Entirely Flooded.
A total loss in several hundred
homes along the Potomac IL re.
ported. Water which early yester-
day rose to the first floor of many
homes early today rose steadily
until many houses were entirely
flooded with water.
Residents alon Gthe river arc
camping near their submerged
homes, using tents. Hasty trips to
the city for canvass to cover their
furniture were made by many rest.
dents when the clouds threatened
rain today.
Canal boat occupants are stuck in
the mud. There II water in some
parts on the canal, but It lin many
parts there II only q sea Of mud.
Access to these boats 10 being made
At the risk Of sinking five or six
feet in soft mud.
The floods will put q damper ON
canoeing activities for several weeks.
lighthouses were prepared for one
OF the busiest seasons Of the year
when the flood came, sweeping away
many floats and flooding scores Of
canoes within the houses.
Hundreds Of canoes have been
rescued, but many cannot be
reached until the Potomac recedos
considerably. Boathouse mon de.
clare their losses az q result Of in.
ability to rent canoes during the
Hood period will run into thousands
OF dollars. The erection Of new
floats will cost them hundreds Of
dollars.
Boat clubs have practically sus.
pended all social activities and
members have banded together. to
clear each house of canoes. They
worked late into last night and
when the waters continued to. rise
they cleared-the first and second
floors OF all boats and personal be.
Iongings OF members. It was necea.
sary to break the locks on many
lockers to take out clothing and
other personal belongings.
The speed OF the river il estimated
at between ten and fifteen miles an
hour, and the thousands Of dollars
damage caused by the flood waters
yesterday were increased consider.
ably today.
The river continues to be dewtruc.
tive and Georgetown IL still getting
the worst Of the biggest flood here
since 1889. The railroad tracks
above Key Bridge are almost en-.
tirely submerged and early today
additional homes went under.
Fear that the flood waters would
interfere with the sewerage system
led j. II. Gordon, sanitary engineer
Of the District, to keep men on duty
along the river all night. He said
today that no damage to the sew.
erage system had yet resulted, but
that the close watch would be con-
tinued.
Potomac Park came very near to
being submerged. The Speedway
under the Long bridge IL filled with
several feet Of water, and Lieu
tenant Patrick ]. Carroll, in charge
OF the park police. has closed O part
Of this driveway. ,,.
Damage in Virginia.
In NEARBY virginia great damage
has been done. The Arlington
Beach Amusement Park il under
water. At the grounds of the Ma
tional Capital Horse Show the water
10 several feet deep and will In all
probability result in an indefinite
postponement Of the show.
Military road, just off Long
bridge, has turned into a river, and
traffic over It IL almost impossible.
Residents Of Virginia were using
rowboats az a means OF travel.
The Tidal Basin bathing beach is
overlooking. the water at some
points coming within a few feet
from the road. The cherry blossom
trees, which attract thousands of
visitors annually. are flooded under
almost as high az the branches.
lighthouses Filled.
lighthouses are filled with water
six and eight feet deep. All homes
near the water are submerged to
the first floor and some up to the