1917 ICE ON THE DELAWARE

FEBRUARY 1917

ICE ON THE DELAWARE

For 30 years ice on the Delaware Bay and River have not been as serious as they are today. Ship John Light , north, the river is covered with broken ice flows, two to ten feet wide, flowing into the creeks and marshes on the Jersey side. At Fenton's Beach a wharf has been destroyed by a barge torn from its berth and deserted for fear it will be taken by the ice out to sea. At Deep Water Point the ice breakers have been reduced to 'kindling wood'. The pier there will most likely be destroyed when the ice moves out down the bay. A tug, fast to this pier by the ice , it's crew safe on shore, may be crushed and lost.

Large ocean going ships are the only vessels seen on the river and they have difficultly making dock.

The large ice flows reported are the worse yesterday that anytime since three weeks ago when the cold snap appeared. The Wilmington to Penns Grove Ferry is at a standstill. Down the river, the ice boat John Weaver, keeps the ice flows broken up so they will move down the river with the tides. There are vessels taking refuge in the Delaware-Chesapeake Canal. The Christiana River is somewhat free of ice.

It is hoped that the ice down river and bay will be moved to sea before warm weather breaks and gives danger to the bay shipping lanes.

FEBRUARY 15, 1917 WILMIINGTON MORNING NEWS