ILLINOIS UNIVERSITY OF ILLINOIS AT URBANA-CHAMPA1GN PRODUCTION NOTE University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign library Brittle Books Project, 2014.COPYRIGHT NOTIFICATION In Public Domain. Published prior to 1923. This digital copy was made from the printed version held by the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. It was made in compliance with copyright law. Prepared for the Brittle Books Project, Main Library, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign by Northern Micrographics Brookhaven Bindery La Crosse, Wisconsin 2014627.1 af1r Report of Committee on fmbets in the Hudson River of the ^ Albany Chamber of Commerce and sub-committees at TROY, WATERVLIET, RENSSELAER, CASTLETON, COEYMANS AND NEW BALTIMORE WILLIAM BAYARD VAN RENSSELAER, Chairman WILLIAM B. JONES, Secretary DECEMBER, 1902Albany, No. 1. Freshet, 1902. Looking South on Broadway. Taken from a point just south of the corner of Broadway and Beaver street. Baker & Roberts, corner Broadway and Hudson avenue, water 3 inches on store floor. George W. Yerks & Co., about middle of block, water from 2 to G inches on store floor. Water in street opposite store 24 inches deep. S. C. Wooster, northwest corner Broadway and Division street, water 3 inches on store floor and 46 inches in street. W. M. Hussey, southwest corner Broadway and Division street, water 10 inches on store floor. J. Stephens & Sons, southeast corner Broadway and Division street, water 15% inches on store floor.CONTENTS. cO -- 2 Albany: page. -> Buildings in the flooded district - - - : - - - 56 <0 Damage to property.....- - : r 57 ^ Depreciation in yalue of real estate - - : - - 15-57 C Facts about -------- - ? 13 ^ Families helped T. - - - - - - - - - 57 Loss in wages t - - - - 57 wC Lumber district - - - - - - - - - 14-57 ^1 Map of - - - - - - - - - - - 17 Castleton : Buildings in flooded district - - r - - - - 56 Damage to property ----- - - - - 58 Depreciation in yalue of real estate 58 Facts about - - - r - - - - - - - 38 Loss in wages ---------- 58 Coeymans : Buildings in flooded district - - - - - - - 56 Damage to property.....- - - - 58 Facts about ----------- 47 Loss in wages ---------- 58 Committee: , Names of -.......- - 7 Delaware and Hudson Railroad : Facts about..........14 Loss to ------------ 57 New Baltimore: Buildings in flooded district.......56 Damage to property --------- 58 Facts about..........49 Loss in wages - - - - - - - - - - 58 New York Central and Hudson River Railroad: Facts about ......... 13-19-38 Loss to............57 Rensselaer : Buildings in flooded district -......56 Damage to property.......- - 57 Facts about ---------- 31 Loss in wages - - -------- 57 Map of...........17 s Tables: C Buildings in flooded district - - - - - - - - 56 > Damage to property.......- - 57-58 Depreciation in value of real estate.....57-58 Freshet in 1902 - - -....... 10 ^ Freshet in the Hudson River 1839-1902 - - - - - 54-55 Loss in wages..........57-58 Troy: Damage to goods - - - - - - - - - - 57 Facts about - -........19 $ Loss in wages......- - - - 57 Map of...........27 United Traction Company: Facts about - -.......- 13-19 Loss to . . ........- 57 W atervliet : Facts about - - - - - - - - - - - 27 Map of . . .........27 4*^ o ■£ 4 Atrr Albany, No. 2. Freshet, 1900. Looking east on State street from corner of Broadway. Water east side of Broadway and State street in street 5 feet deep. Water at No. 6 State street 7 feet deep on floor. Water at No. 15 State street, 3 feet 6 inches deep on floor; water in street, 6 feet 6 inches deep. Water on State street pier, 9 feet deep. Water in basement of Government Building nearly 9 feet deep and a quantity of bonded goods in storage damaged. In 1901 a wall was built in basement to protect goods. Water in 1902 in another part of basement, about 2 feet deep. ILLUSTRATIONS. PAGES. Albany - - - - - 2, 4, 6, 8, 12, 16, 17, 18 Castleton - 89, 41, 42, 43, 44, 45, 46 Coeymans - - - - - - - 48 New Baltimore 49, 50, 51, 52 Rensselaer .... .30, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, 37 Troy ..... . 20, 22, 24, 25, 26 Watervliet - - / - - - - 26, 28. 29 MAPS. Albany - - - - - - - - - 17 Rensselaer - - - - - - 17 Troy -......- - - 27 Watery liet -------- 276 Albany, No. 3. Freshet, 1902. Looking north on Broadway. Taken from a point about the center of Steamboat square on top of shed. Exhibit No. 4 taken from same point looking in opposite direction. The average depth of water on Steamboat square was 6 feet. The depth of water on the People's Line dock was 9 feet. People's Line Office, water 30 inches on floor — this floor is 3 feet above the sidewalk. Engesser's Hotel at 270 Broadway bad 2 feet of water on main floor—• the water in street opposite hotel was 5 feet. Woodward & Hill, southwest corner Broadway and Hamilton street, water within an inch of store floor. J. J. Snow, saloon, northeast corner Broadway and Hamilton street, 18 inches of water on saloon floor. At the corner of Broadway and Hamilton street, water was 3 feet deep on Broadway and 4 feet deep on Hamilton street.COMMITTEE ON FRESHETS IN THE HUDSON RIVER OF THE Albany Chamber of Commerce. William Bayard Van Rensselaer, Chairman. William B. Jones, - - - Secretary. Arthur L. Andrews, William Burgess Elmendorf, John Bowe, Charles H. Gaus, A. S. Brandow, Edward N". McKinney, Joel W. Burdick, William P. Kudd. SUB-COMMITTEES. ALBANY. Coirimon Council. Joseph Besch, Thomas F. Martin, Herbert H. Bugden. TROY. Chamber of Commerce. Common Council. Frederick W. Orr, Marshall L. Barnes, E. T. Murray, Patrick Coffee, Jr., Arthur Gr. Sherry. Joseph F. Hogan. WATERVLIET. James C. Wilbur, Peter A. Sogers, Joseph Hollands. RENSSELAER. Bradford R. Lansing, 0. A. Bailey, William Smith. CASTLETON. Board of Trade. Board of Trustees. Thomas Clifford, George Anderson, H. H. Gr. Ingalls, Wtilliam C. Corts, L. S. Kellogg, William P. Smith, Jacob Seaman, Joel D. Smith. O. D. Woodford. C. D. Welch, M. D. COEYMANS. L. A. Carhart, P. A. Whitbeck, C. F. Sudderly, Jr. NEW BALTIMORE. Wm. H. Baldwin, A. J. Vanderpool, Wm. D. Fuller.8 Albany, No. 4. Freshet, 1902. Looking south on Broadway. Taken from a point about the center of Steamboat square on top of shed. Exhibit No. 3 taken from same point looking in opposite direction. Average depth of water on Steamboat square was 6 feet — at dock 9 feet. Water in front of Reynold's feed store, northwest corner Broadway and Madison avenue, 2 feet. Oneonta Hotel, southwest corner Broadway and Madison avenue, water 3 feet deep on floor. Capital City Oil Works, water 6 feet 1 inch deep on office floor. Quay street, at corner of Madison avenue, water about 10 feet deep. wFRESHETS IN THE HUDSON RIVER. INTRODUCTION. The committee appointed by the Albany Chamber of Com- merce to investigate the damage done by the freshets in the Hudson River would respectfully report that they organized and commenced work on March 4th, 1902, and as soon as pos- sible after this date, organized sub-committees in Troy, Water- vliet, Rensselaer, Castleton, Coeymans and New Baltimore. Work of Committee. The principal work of the committee has been that of investi- gating the damage caused by the freshet of 1902. Several reference tables have been prepared which give, in concise form, statistics regarding the Hudson River freshets and the damage done by them. Tables. Table Number 1, which was furnished by Mr. Alfred F. Sims, Local Forecast Official, gives an idea of the important freshets in the Hudson River, beginning with the year 1839. Under remarks, in connection with this table, some idea may be gained regarding the condition of the Hudson River at the time of these freshets. Table Number 2 shows a partial record of the buildings in the inundated districts in some of the places investigated. Table Number 3 gives a partial record of the damage to prop- erty, loss in wages, depreciation in value of real estate, etc. This table, of course, does not give a complete record of the damage done, as it is utterly impossible to estimate the loss in dwelling houses, stores, etc., occasioned by the high water. Pictures. The pictures which form a part of this record give still better ideas of the inundated district in the several cities and villages.10 Maps. The maps give a faint suggestion of the inundated districts in Albany, Troy, Watervliet and Rensselaer. Freshet of 1902. The freshet of 1902 commenced on February 28th and lasted until noon on March 5th, when the water in the river receded to a point below the level of the docks. A complete record of this freshet will be seen by the following table, which was furnished by Mr. Alfred F. Sims, the Local Weather Forecast Official: Re coed of Freshet. February 2 8th — River rose slowly during the day. March 1st — 7 a. m. : River reached to the top of wharf at the foot of State street. 8 a. m. : River 10.6 feet. River fell4 inches shortly after 8 a. m. 4 p. m. : River rose 10 inches between 3 and 4 p. m. 4:30 p. m. : River fell 10 inches between 4 and 4:30 p. m. 11:15 p. m. : River rose from 10 p. m. to 11:15 p. m., when it reached a 17.00-foot stage. Midnight: River rose steadily. March 2nd — 10:15 a. m. : River 17.76 feet above mean low water of 1876, after this river began to fall slowly and continued to midnight. March 3rd — Ice came down from the upper Hudson after midnight, and, in gorging south of Albany, caused the water to back to Albany; water in Hudson at Troy, IT. Y., fell at 10:20 a. m. Gorge remained firm during the afternoon, but the freshet water, in finding an outlet through Scho- dack Creek, relieved Albany. * Highest water at noon to-day, 18.28 feet.11 March 4th — Hudson River fell 2.6 feet from 5 :30 p. m. of 3rd to 8:00 a. m. of 4th; no floating ice in river at 7:30 a. m. River continued to fall during the day. March 5th — 8 a. m. : River 10.6. At noon river was within its banks. Effect on Business. During the freshet of 1902 business along the river front in the cities and villages between Troy and ~New Baltimore was practically suspended. Railroads were tied up and trolley lines unable to run their cars. This high water not only affected the cities and villages, but all of the low lands between Troy and Stuyvesant were flooded and buildings submerged, in some instances the water coming in dwelling houses on the second floors, and a very large amount of damage was done. Jce houses along the river front were also damaged to a great extent by the high water and the floating ice. Some of the conditions existing in the several cities and vil- lages between Troy and New Baltimore during the freshet of 1902, the Committee found to be as follows:12 Albany, No. 5. Freshet, 1902. Looking south on Green street from the corner of John street. Third Reformed Church. Water in basement 18 inches deep and m street at side of church, 2% feet deeP- Barber shop, southwest corner of Green and South Ferry streets, 2 feet of water on floor. Albany Brewing Co., Green street side, 4 feet of water on floor. Corner Arch and Green streets the water was between 5 and 6 feet deep.ALBANY. Albany is more or less affected by freshets in the Hudson .River every Spring. The most noticeable, however, of these freshets during the past few years, being the one of 1900 and the one in the Spring of 1902; the latter freshet covered a large portion of the city at the river front, as will be shown by the map opposite page 17. The Inundated District. As a result of this freshet 109 wholesale houses, 95 stores and 123 other places of business were closed; 67 factories shut down, the water in some instances reaching a depth of 8 feet on the factory floors, and in many instances reaching a depth of 3 and 4 feet; nearly 3,600 families were also driven entirely, or partly, from their homes, and business east of Broadway, from North Ferry to Gansevoort streets, was practically at a standstill. United Traction Company. The lines of the United Traction Company were disabled from Sunday at 6 a. m. until Tuesday at 3 p. m., and travel over all of their lines, not only in Albany, but in Rensselaer, Water- vliet, Troy, Lansingburgh, Green Island and Cohoes, was abandoned. The freight service of the road was also stopped. New York Central and Hudson River Railroad Co. The New York Central and Hudson River Railroad Com- pany were obliged to run their trains from the South into Albany by the way of Hudson and Chatham, their entire tracks between Stuyvesant and Albany being submerged and piled in many places high with ice. The cost to the Railroad Company to clear their tracks and put them in shape was over $200,000. The New York Central freight houses on Spencer street were14 surrounded with water to an average depth of between 3 and 4 feet, and for nearly two days business here was practically suspended. Delaware and Hudson Railroad Co. The Delaware and Hudson Railroad Company were unable to run their trains into the Station either on their north or south- bound tracks. The trains on the Saratoga division could not reach the Station for two days on account of the high water, and those of the Susquehanna division were unable to reach the Station for four days; the tracks south of the Station were sub- merged from Hamilton to Columbia streets, and on the north from Thacher street to lock 2 on the Erie Canal. The Dela- ware and Hudson freight house, located in the south part of the city near the foot of Gansevoort street, was surrounded by water, averaging from 2 to 3 feet in depth, and in about half of the building the water came on the floor. A large force of men were employed removing the freight from the freight house to cars, which were run out of the city and placed on side tracks. Lumber District. The Lumber District was covered with water at an average depth of about 2 feet, and on some office floors the water was from 8 to 10 inches deep. The freshet damaged many of the yards and slips; about 100,000,000 feet of lumber was stored in the several yards, which was damaged to the amount of $10,000. Wholesale Houses. The wholesale houses along Broadway from State street to the south part of the city were more or less damaged; the water averaging 3 inches on the floors of those located near Hudson avenue, and 6 feet on the floors of buildings located on the river front at Madison avenue. The wholesale merchants in many instances are prepared for these annual freshets, and the perish- able goods on the first floors of their store's are either left4 during the entire year on racks which are built above the high-water mark or else are lifted to the second floors before the ice in the river begins to break up. A large number of merchants, how- ever, have their goods damaged to a great extent each year. On the State Street Pier the water was 8 feet deep.15 Dwellings. The private houses are also damaged with every freshet, there being over 3,500 dwelling houses in the flooded district in Albany. Some of these families are driven entirely from their houses, while others are compelled to live on the upper floors. It is impossible to estimate the cost of the household goods dam- aged, in many instances the water rising so rapidly that not even the carpets can be taken up. The water during the fresh- ets backs up through the sewers into the basements and cellars of nearly 2,000 additional dwellings and business houses. Government Building. In the Government building at Broadway and State street the water was 2 feet deep in a part of the basement. During the freshet of 1900 the water in this basement reached a depth of nearly 5 feet, damaging a large quantity of bonded goods in storage. After this freshet a protecting wall was built which prevents the water from entering certain parts of the cellar. Hotels. Five hotels were in the submerged district, two of them suf- fering great inconvenience. At Stanwix Hall water began coming into the cellar on Saturday, March 1st, and continued rising until it reached a depth of 6-| feet, and then fell to a depth of 6 feet, where it remained until Tuesday, when it began falling. The water ran into the boiler room, putting out the fires and causing the hotel to be without steam several days. The hotel lost, at a low estimate, $2,000. The Mansion House also suffered a considerable loss; the water was 6 feet deep in the cellar, nearly covering the boiler, and the hotel was without steam three days. Churches and Schools. The three churches and three schools which were in the sub- merged district also sustained considerable damage. Depreciation in Value oe Heal Estate. The damage to buildings caused by these annual overflows cannot be estimated with any degree of accuracy, but accotding to reports in the Department of Assessment and Taxation for16 the years 1900-1901-1902 the net decrease in the value of real estate in the five river wards was $696,460, which decrease is largely due to the fact that property in these wards depreciated in value on account of the Spring freshets. Tables. By referring to table No. 3 some idea of the loss in wages, damage to property, etc., in Albany can be gained. This amount does not include, however, the damage to the stock in a large number of wholesale or retail stores or household goods or supplies in any of the private houses. Table No. 2 will give some idea of the number of buildings in the districts under water. Albany, No. 6. Freshet, 1902. Looking east on South Ferry street from corner of Franklin street. Albany Brewing Co., water on South Ferry street in front of building, 5 feet deep. Water at corner of Green and South Ferry streets, 4 feet deep. Water at corner of Dallras and South Ferry streets, 5 feet deep. Water at corner of Church and South Ferry streets, 4 feet deep. Water at corner of Broadway and South Ferry street, 2 feet deep.WALTER CHAM PLAIN GHURI COLUMBIA mineral BROADWAY SECOND From Copyright Map of Sampson, Murdock &• Co., by permission. MAP NO. 1. SHOWING FLOODED DISTRICT IN ALBANY AND ntNootLAtn.17 Albany, No. 7. Freshet, 1902. Looking north on Green street from corner of Mulberry street. Water at corner of Rensselaer and Green streets, 3 feet deep. Water on saloon floor at southeast corner of Rensselaer and Green streets, 12 inches deep. Water on store floor at northeast corner of Rensselaer and Green streets, 6 inches deep. Water on floor of Green Street side of Albany Brewing Co., 4 feet deep. Water at corner of Arch and Green streets, between 5 and 6 feet deep.18 Albany, No. 8. Freshet, 1902. Looking east on Arch street from corner of South Pearl street. Water at corner of Arch and South Pearl streets was 15 inches deep. Mullen's saloon, southwest corner Arch and Franklin streets, water on floor was 6 inches deep. Hickey's grocery, southeast corner Arch and Franklin streets, water on floor was 18 inches deep. Water corner Arch and Green streets, 4 feet deep. Water corner Arch and Dallius streets, 3 feet deep. Water corner Church and Arch streets, 12 inches deep. Water at river front, on river side of Taylor Brewery, 5 feet 8 inches deep.TROY Troy has suffered from the effects of three notable freshets. The first was in 1857, the second in 1886, and the third in 1902. The two former resulted in the greatest damage, owing to the fact that owners of property in the submerged district were less prepared for it. At present freshets are anticipated as annual occurrences, and perishable and other goods are removed to upper floors or other buildings. The actual dam- age, except to property on Front street, is comparatively small. Recokd of Freshet. The freshet of 1902 began Sunday, March 1st, at 6:30 a. m., when the ice broke up. The ice above the dam began moving at 7 o'clock. That in the west channel opposite Centre Island began moving and collided with the ice that was packed in at the Congress Street bridge, and was forced to the shore. The large cakes of ice struck the docks at State street, crushing in the sheds of the Murray Line. The fence on the Troy and Albany dock was swept away and other damage done which amounted to $500. The dock of the Citizens' Line was flooded and damaged. At O'Keil's coal yard masts and derricks valued at $300 were swept away, and some damage done to the dock of the Troy and Xewburgh Line. /Front street was flooded and the water was in all the buildings and considerable damage done to their contents. The large piles of lumber in Bayer & McConihe's lumber yard were saved by using heavy ropes and anchoring them. The tracks in the Adams street freight yard of the New York Central and Hudson River Railroad were under water, and the power and heating house was flooded. River street from Division street to Adams street was two feet under the water, and the cars of the United Traction Com-20 Tkoy, No. 1. Freshet, 1886. Looking west on Ferry street from River street. Teoy, No. 2. Freshet, 1886. Looking west on Adams street from First street.21 pany were stopped at Division street. Passengers were trans- ferred by carryalls to the corner of Second and Adams streets. Depth of Water on Front Street. At Federal street from six to eight inches; at Grand street, *15 feet between the pier and Front street and five to six feet in the street. On the floor in the shop of Williams & Manogue, from six to eight inches. At Fulton street, two feet, and the cellars were flooded. In the cellar of J. M. Warren there were six feet of water, and a large quantity of barbed wire was damaged. At State street, eight feet, and considerable damage was done to Kimmey's ice house. The rear of a building occupied by Bamum Brothers, belt manufacturers, was damaged. At Congress street, six feet; buildings of Troy and Newburgh Line lost 150 bales of rags. At Ferry street, about six feet deep between Front and River streets. At Liberty street, 26 inches, and the water was half way to First street, crossing Kiver street. More Streets Flooded. Owing to the high water in the river, it ran into the sewers and flooded the lower or southern part of the cityf*the land at some points being lower, back from the river, than at the river front. On First street, between Polk and Liberty streets, the average depth in the cellars was three feet. At the Troy Stamp- ing Works on Second street it was two feet in the cellar. On Third street, between Liberty and Division, it averaged from two to three feet. On Fourth street, from Liberty to Congress, eight to nine inches, and on Fifth avenue, from Ferry to Fulton street, two feet. Schools and Churches. School 12, on First street, was closed a week, causing 18 teachers and 500 scholars to be idle. School 9, at the corner of Liberty and River streets, and School 10 were closed several days. There were between two and three feet of water in the basement of St. Mary's Church, and the fire in the heater at the Washington Volunteer steamer house was put out by water.22 . ..;; Tkoy, No. 3. Freshet, 1880. Looking south on First street from corner of Liberty street. pis Troy, No. 4. Freshet, 1886. Looking up the Hudson River from Congress street bridge.23 Freshet of 1886. The photographs of scenes in Troy, accompanying this report, are of scenes witnessed during the memorable high water of 1886. The river began rising during the evening of February 14th, and at 10 o'clock the danger of a freshet became so apparent that Chief Engineer Lane of the Fire Department ordered the church bells to be rung. This was done, and soon after the streets were filled with excited people. Bales of wool and cotton on the steamboat dock were submerged. The ice was piled 15 feet above the wharf. At midnight it was supposed the water was receding, and the streets were deserted at 1 a. m. About half an hour after, the ice became gorged near the Burden works and piled up about 20 feet. The water rose until it put the fires out in The Electric Company's building, and the city was left in darkness. People who went to church found difficulty in getting to their homes. From Ferry street south the streets were like canals. First street was filled with water, and at the junction of First and Second streets it was 42 inches deep, extending to Polk street. People attending services in the South Baptist Church were taken home in boats. Liberty from the river to Fourth, Ferry from Fourth to about 100 feet west of Fifth, and Fourth for a space of 500 feet north and south of Ferry street were flooded. On Ferry street it was within three inches of being as high as in 1857. Tables. Tables Nos. 2 and 3 will give further statistical information regarding the freshet of 1902, and the map opposite page 27 will give some idea of the area covered by the high water.24 Troy, No. 5. Freshet, 1886. Looking east on Ida street from First street. Troy, No. 6. Freshet, 1880. Looking north on First street from Adams street.25 Troy, No. 7 Freshet, 1886. Corner Third and Division streets. 1 boy, No. 8. _ Freshet, 1886. Looking west on Washington street from Second street.Tkoy No. 9. - '"* Freshet, 1886. Looking west on Liberty street from Second street. Watf.rvliet, No. 1. Freshet, 1886. First avenue from 15th street to Arsenal wall. \U d jlSf -SOaoJJII From Copyright Map of Sampson, Murdoch & Co., by permission. MAP NO. 2. SHOWING FLOODED DISTRICT IN TROY. AND WATERVLIET.WATERVLIET. The freshets which affect the city of Troy also do a large amount of damage to the city of Watervliet. This was espe- cially noticeable in the freshet of 1886 and a former one in 1857. The freshet of 1902, while it affected a large number of interests in the city and did considerable damage, yet the loss resulting from this high water was not as great as the damage caused by the two previous inundations. Area of Inundation. During the 1902 freshet the water flooded Broadway from a point near First street to the corner of Thirteenth street. From Thirteenth street to Sixteenth street the water covered only the docks east of Broadway; at Sixteenth street the water again crossed Broadway, reaching a point beyond and to the west of First avenue. The entire section between First avenue and the river was covered up to Twenty-fourth street. A large number of business houses were under water, and a still larger number of dwellings inundated, the merchants losing a large amount of their stock, while in the residential section a consid- erable amount of household goods were damaged. It is impos- sible to estimate with any degree of accuracy the amount of damage done by these overflows of the Hudson River. A better idea of the flooded district can be obtained by referring to map opposite page 27.28 Watebvliet, No. 2. Freshet, 1886. Looking north on Broadway from Nineteenth street. Watervliet, No. 3. Freshet, 1886. Looking south on Broadway from Nineteenth street.29 Wateevliet, No. 4. Freshet, 1902. Broadway, looking north from Sixteenth to Twentieth streets. Stores and dwellings flooded to level of main floor. Looking south on Broadway from Thirteenth street to Eighth street. Watervliet Arsenal grounds flooded; houses on east side of street flooded on level of main floor. VV atekvliet, No. 5. Freshet, 1902.30 Rensselaer, No. 1. Freshet, 1902. This picture presents a view of Broadway looking north from the corner of Second avenue and was taken when water had fallen seven inches. The height of water in view varying from one to four feet.RENSSELAER. Rensselaer suffers almost annually' from high wafer? in the Hudson River, the amount of damage varying each year. It is a matter of general observation, however, that the freshets seem to become more damaging as the years occur. The Inundated District. The entire lower end of the city was inundated during the high water of March, 1902. Business houses were closed, and a large number of dwellings had water on their first floors. Fifteen families were driven entirely from their houses, while about 100 were driven from their basements and first floors. On Broadway at Aiken avenue the water reached a depth of four feet, and on Broadway at Columbia street the water reached a depth of about two feet. Albany and Hudson 'Railway and Power Co. In the barns of the Albany and Hudson Railway and Power Company the water reached a depth of 18 inches on the main floors, causing great damage to the cars and motors, which were soaked with water; the water around the building was from six to eight feet deep. The engines and boilers of the company were badly damaged, as well as their gas and electric light business. 1 Mills. The Felt Mills of F. C. Huyek & Sons located in Rensselaer eight years ago; the mills have suffered from extreme freshets five years out of the eight. During the freshet of 1900 the water reached a depth of 15 inches on the first floor of their mill, shutting the mill down for over a week, and damaging the machinery and merchandise to an extent of several thousands of dollars. After that freshet the Company spent $20,000 in32 This picture presents a view of Columbia street at Academy street. Depth of water about 2 feet. Rensselaer, No. 2. Freshet, 1902. Rensselaer, No. 3. Freshet, 1902. This picture presents a view on the west side of Aiken avenue. Depth of water at extreme right, about 6% feet.33 raising their engines, boilers and stock rooms and other parts of the mill to avoid trouble from high -water. This Company, however, sustained considerable damage to the building and stock during the freshet of this year. These annual freshets mean, practically, the closing up of all the business portion and a great part of the residential portion of the south part of Rensselaer. The map opposite page 17 shows the flooded district. ■■■■■■■ • ■.. Rensselaer, No. 4. Freshet, 1902. This picture presents a view of Broadway, looking south from the corner of Second avenue, and was taken after the water had fallen seven inches. The depth varying from 1 foot to 4 feet.34 mm Rensselaer, No. 5. Freshet, 1902. This picture presents a view of Broadway south of Columbia street. Depth of water about two feet, but water was not at its height. lee had just commenced to pile up. Rensselaee, No. 6. Freshet, 1902. This picture presents a view of Broadway looking south from Columbia street after water had receded.35 Rensselaer No. 7. Freshet, 1902. This picture presents a view on Third avenue looking east from Broadway. Depth of water from 1 to 2y2 feet. : v . , Rensselaer, No. 8. Freshet, 1902. This picture presents a view on Broadway from Ferry street north. Depth of water from 1 to 3 y2 feet.36 « Rensselaer, No. 9. Freshet, 1902. This picture presents a view on Broadway from Ferry street south. Depth of water 15 inches. Rensselaek, No. 10. Freshet, 1902. This picture presents a view on Washington street looking north from a point between Second avenue and Columbia street. Depth of water from 1 to 2% feet.37 This picture presents a view looking west on Columbia street from corner Aiken avenue. Depth of water from 2 to 5 feet. Freshet, 1902. Rensselaer, No. 11. Rensselaer, No. 12. Freshet, 1902. This picture presents a view on Broadway looking south from Columbia street after water had receded.CASTLETON. During the ordinary high water in the Hudson River the docks at Oastleton are always covered with water, and the con- tents of the buildings on these docks damaged to a certain extent. It appears, however, that when the ice gorges in the river at points below the village of Oastleton,- the water backs up not only in the cellars of the buildings along Main street, but also on the tracks of the New York Central & Hudson River Rail- road Company, as well as in the village street which runs parallel to the river. The Inundated District. During the freshet of 1900 the water was about four feet deep in Main street at its deepest point, while in the freshet of 1902 the water reached a depth of from six to seven feet; the upper part of the village north of the North Road was filled with water and floating ice, and it was necessary when the water receded to cut a carriage way through the ice deposited in the road. The water again came into Main street at a point near the Middle Road, and from that point south it increased in depth, reaching a depth at the corner of South and Main streets, or in the center of the business section, of 3 J feet. In the dwellings situated on the corner of Main and South streets the water reached a depth of three feet on the floor, and on the opposite corner, at the store of Richards Bros., it reached a depth of four feet on the store floor. All of the stores in the village were in the submerged district. The water was 23 inches deep on the Post Office floor. Further south on Main street the water became deeper until a depth of about seven feet was reached. The tracks of the New York Central & Hudson River Railroad were completely covered with water and ice, and three trains were stalled at the village. Water on the tracks in front of the station reached a depth of 12 inches. Merchants along Main street anticipated the high water, and a large amount of their39 Castlbton, No. 1. Freshet, 1902. Looking west near the intersection of Main street and South street. Dwelling of W. 0. Parkinson on right ; 12 inches of water on floor. Store of Smith & Ivnowlton on left; 2 feet of water on floor. Water in street in front of square 3feet deep.40 slock was carried up into the second floors of their buildings, thereby decreasing the damage to a great extent. When the water receded the streets and yards were filled with cakes of ice, and driftwood of all kinds; this caused an immense amount of labor in removing the same and putting the streets in passable condition. 4 The people of the village of Castleton, from a hygienic and sanitary standpoint^ are farced to face a greater degree of danger than perhaps any community aifected by the spring floods of the upper Hudson. Words and photographs both make convincingly plain the degree to which Castleton suffered during the freshet of 1902. But while it might not be difficult to find facts and figures for a nearly correct estimate of the loss to business and damage to property, it is not so easy to accurately make accounts of the physical injury and peril coming to the people as a result. The Spring of 1902 saw very many persons sufferers from severe and continued catarrhal colds, many children victims of sore throat, and " malarial" symptoms very prevalent, and all this predominating along the line of submergence. It can be very reasonably claimed that cellars flooded and walls and floors for days soaking under several feet of icy water furnished ample cause for the unusual number of cases of catarrhal trouble occurring in Castleton so closely subsequent to the freshet. Maiiy days were, under the best of conditions, required to clean up, dry, and place in good sanitary state the many business p]aces and residences so long beneath the cold' and dirty waters. It would not be hard to give in this connection a lengthy and detailed report, but the facts are so strongly and clearly in evidence that more is not required. Again the village is subjected through the river's overflow to a danger which, while not perhaps as immediately evident as that resulting from damp and cold, is yet considered one of grave import. Unfortunately, Castleton has no sewage system, and while many water-closets connect with private drains, a large percentage of disconnected or out-of-door closets are simply boxes resting on the surface, or very shallow pits. Thus it occurs that at the time of inundation a very considerable portion of the contents of these disconnected closets is washed out and away by the rising water and distributed by the same. A41 Castleton, No. 2. Freshet, 1902. Looking north on Main street. Richards & Bros.' store on left; 4 feet of water on floor. Dwelling house on right; iy2 feet of water on floor. Post Office; 23 inches of water on floor.42 Castleton, No. 3. Freshet, 1902. Looking north on Main street at upper end of village, showing ice piled in the street. Tracks of the N. Y. G. & H. R. R. R. on the left. Cast^eton, No. 4. Freshet, 1902. Showing flats at south end of village, water 5 feet on main floor of house.43 certain amount either in solution or as solids must necessarily find lodgment in structures or fall as a deposit to the surface of the streets or adjoining property. The possible result of this condition is certainly greatly to he feared. Castleton is ordinarily a healthful village and the death rate usually low, hut it is feared and thought justly so that repeated floods such as was experienced in the Spring of this year must change the record. Castleton, No. 5. Freshet, 1902. Looking south from Castleton and showing ice and water on tracks of the N. Y. C. & H. R. R.44 (Jastleton, Wo. 7. Freshet, 1902. Looking north on Main street from in fi-ont of Public School. _______ Castletoit, No. 6. Freshet, 1902. Looking north from South street on the tracks of the N. Y. C. & H. R. K., showing train No. 19 — The Lake Shore Limited. Water in J. Seaman's coal shed on left 6 feet deep. Water on railroad track, 28 inches deep.45 Castleton, No. 8. Freshet, 1902. Looking south on Main street near corner of South street. Water in street 3y2 feet deep. Castleton, No. 9. Freshet, 1902. Picture taken on railroad track, looking north, showing the Lake Shore Limited. Downer's coal shed at left, water 6 feet deep. 46 Freshet, 1902. Castleton, No. 10. One mile south of Castleton, showing freight train on tracks of N. Y. C. & H. R. R. surrounded by water and ice.COEYMANS. Coeymans being situated on a bluff at the side of the river, the only damage occasioned by the freshets in the Hudson River is to the docks and buildings on the same, and other buildings situated at the foot of the hill and along the river front. During the freshet of 1902 the water at the head of the docks was 10 feet deep. There was also four feet of water in the dwellings which are located on one of the docks, and the water in the store and freight house 011 the dock was six feet deep. A large amount of goods were in the store and freight house, and were damaged to an extent of about $8,000.48 Looking east toward river from head of dock. Water at head of dock, 10 feet deep. Water in houses, 4 feet deep. Coeymans, No. 1. Freshet, 1902. Coeymans, No. 2. Freshet, 1902. Looking east from head of dock toward river. Water in store and freight house, 0 feet deep. Water at head of dock, 4 feet deep.NEW BALTIMORE. Like Coeymans, New Baltimore is situated on a hill on the west side of the Hudson River, and no great amount of damage has ever been done by the freshets which occur almost annually in the Hudson River. The ice which gorged at a point below New Baltimore, together with an apparent obstruction, in the form of a dike in the river opposite the village, caused the water to cover the docks and flood the stores, factories and houses along the river front. The iee piled up on the north dock, carried away a part of the dock front, and did a great amount of damage to the coal sheds and offices on the dock. The ship yards of William H. Baldwin were completely inun- dated and a great amount of damage done there. Several dwelling houses were also damaged by the water and the ice. New Baltimore, No. 1. Freshet, 1902. Showing iee shoved up in the rear of residence of W. R. Gay.50 New Baltimore, No. 2. Kreshet, 1902. Showing ice piled on dock and against coal shed. Freshet, 1902. New Baltimore, No. 3. Same as No. 2.51 ■■ . , New Baltimore, No. 4. Freshet, 1902. Same as No. 2. New Baltimore, No. 5. Freshet, 1902.Freshet, 1902 New Baltimore, No. 6, Hew Baltimore, No. 7. Freshet, ] 902.CAUSE AND REMEDIES. After the Committee had carefully investigated the damage occasioned by the freshet of 1902, they turned their attention to looking into the cause of these annual freshets, with an idea of suggesting remedies for the same, but in view of the fact that commissions of experts — the Commission of Army Engi- neers, appointed by President Roosevelt, and the Water Storage Commission, appointed by Governor Odeli — are- to make a report on these subjects in the near future, we feel delicate in making suggestions until after these reports are made. Lsr Conclusion. The Committee, in closing, however, wishes to emphasize the fact that these annual overflows of the Hudson River, which cause so much sickness, damage and inconvenience, should be given immediate attention, and every possible effort put forth by both State and United States Government to prevent their occurrence.54 TABLE NO. 1 — A. FRESHETS AND ICE GORGES IN THE HUDSON RIVER. YEAR. Month. Eleva- tion. Remarks. 1839.. Jan. 27....... 17.78 1846.. March 15.......... 18.27 1857.. Feb. 9............ 21.16 1869.. Apl. 22, Oct. 4, 5... 18.52 Heavy rain (11 inches at Coevmans, N. Y.) Jan. 11, Mcli. 31... 1875.. April 3d........ River 7 feet above docks. FRESHETS AND ICE GORGES IN THE HUDSON RIVER.55 TABLE NO. 1 — B. ! FRESHETS AND ICE GORGES IN THE HUDSON RIVER. YEAR. Month. Eleva- tion above M. L. W. 1876. 1876.. Feb. 16............ 14.0 1877..' March 30.......... 1878.. March 5......... 1879.. March 27.......... 1880.. Feb. 14, Jan. 28____ 1881.. Feb. 12, Mch. 1, 18. 1882.. Feb. 14........... 1882.. March 1-8....... 1883.. March 28......... 1884.. Feb. 8, 14, 15, 18, 22, 24, 26 ....... 15.45 1885.. April 1-4 . ....... 1885.. Jan.1st ........... 1886.. March 14-26....... 17.89 1886.. Jan. 4-8, Feb. 13 .. 1887.. Apl. 11-Mav 5..... ..... 1888.. Dec. 18, Apl. 1-7 .. 1889.. 1890.. 1891.. Feb. 27.......... 1892.. Jan. 15.......... 1893.. March 14......... 19.00 1894.. March 7.......... 16.12 1895.. April 10........... 16.54 1896.. March 1st ... 17.78 1897.. 1898.. March 13......... ii! 80 1899.. March 6.......... 12.45 1900.. Feb. 14........... 19.96 1901. Dec. 12........... 13.56 1902. March 3........... 18.26 Remarks. No bad dam formed so far as known. No bad dam formed so far as known. No bad dam formed so far as known. Trains on Susquehanna R. R. could not start from depot on account of high water. Heavy rainfall; river rose 11 feet in 36 hours. Gorge formed between Stuyvesant and lower Kinderhook Light. River 12 feet above mean tide. Ice gorge formed at Douw's Point. No dam formed so far as known. Ice dam at Van Wie's Point; dam at Four-Mile Point. Ice gorged at Van Wie's Point and Quay street submerged. Ice lodged on the " Overslaugh." Ice dam at Pleasure Is., Troy inundated. Ice dam between Castleton and Coeymans. Docks and R. R. tracks submerged. People's Line boats could not land at their docks until after May 5th. Ice gorge at Nuttenhook. Docks submerged. State and Dean streets covered. No dam formed so far as known. No dam formed so far as known. Ice dam formed south of Albany and remained until March 14th. Water in cellars on Broadway. No bad dam so far as known. Ice piled to a depth of from 20 to 30 feet. Some of the ice was nearly 3 ft. thick. Ice dam from Cedar Hill to N. Coeymans. Melting snow and rain. Much damage done to railroad by water and ice which flooded the tracks as far as Stockport. The ice finally stopped at Four-Mile Point and remained until some time in April. Ice moved out easily. No bad dam so far as known. Gorge at Van Wie's Point opposite Castle- ton and below North Coeymans. Gorge below Kinderkook Upper Light, between Coeymans — north end of Castleton U. S. Government; dike to Cow Island Light. Gorge below Stone House Bar. Gorge below Stone House Bar.56 TABLE NO. 2. Buildings in Flooded District. Albany: Dwellings ....................... . 3,528 Saloons..................................118 Wholesale Houses . . . .............. . 109 Stores . ....... . . . ......................95 Factories .... ......... . . .................67 Unoccupied buildings..............................35 Hotels................................................5 Churches . ....................I. . . . 3 Schools .... ...........................................3 Police Stations .J........................1 Total............................. 3,964 Rensselaer: Wholesale Houses, Factories and Stores. 20 Dwellings........................ 100 Total................. ............. 120 Castleton : Dwellings........ . . ...........................65 Stores . . ...................................21 Factories....................................3 Churches ......................................2 Total.............................. 91 Coeymans : Dwellings . . . ..................... 14 Stores.................... . . ...... 3 Total......... ..................... 17 New Baltimore : Dwellings...................................7 Storehouses....................................8 Hotels................................1 Factories..................................................1 Total.............................. 1757 TABLE NO. 3. Damage to Property — Loss in Wages — Depreciation in Value of Real Estate, Etc. Albany: The 204 wholesale houses and stores lost in damage to goods, etc............. $24,000 00 59 factories, employing 2,042 hands, were stopped from 1 to 12 days, loss in wages.......................... 15,208 00 Families assisted by the city to the amount of......................... 1,689 42 In the Lumber District, estimated loss to lumber, etc..................... 10,000 00 Depreciation in the assessed value of real estate in five river wards since \ 1900..........................696,460 00 Total..................................... $747,357 42 The New York Central paid to clear and repair tracks between Troy and Castleton....... .................. $200 000 00 The D. & H. paid to clear and repair * tracks and for damage resulting from the impossibility to run trains into Station...............................3,000 00 TheiIJMted Tractlc«r Co.^losfein fare5,000 00 The employees of the United Traction Co. lost in wages................... 2,625 00 The Electric Express lost in freight.... 450 00 Total.,................................... 211,075 00 Troy : 24 wholesale houses, stores, etc., lost in damage to goods................... $8,125 00 18 factories, employing 6,373 hands, were stopped from 1 to 21 days, loss in wages.......................... 31,415 00 Total..................................... 39,540 00 Rensselaer: 500 hands in factories idle 1 to 3 days.. $1,200 u0 Albany & Hudson Railway and Power Co. reported a loss in damage and stoppage of business of............. 15,000 00 Total..................................... 16.200 0058 Castleton : Damage to buildings and contents...... $14,020 00 3 factories, employing 190 hands, were stopped from 1 to 5 days, loss in wages................................................350 00 Depreciation in value of real estate.... 25,000 00 ; Total..................................... $39,370 00 coeymans: Damage to buildings and contents...... $12,000 00 50 persons out of employment, loss in wages..............................................100 00 Total..................................... 12,100 00 New Baltimore: Damage to buildings and contents...... $25,000 00 250 persons out of employment, loss in wages..............................450 00 Total...................................... 25,450 00 Total. $1,091,092 42This book is a preservation facsimile produced for the University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign. 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