Bridges At The Foot Of The Rapids

News Articles …

· The Maumee City Express of May 9, 1840: Bridge “somewhat injured” in flood …

WEATHER – During the last week an immense quantity of rain has fallen. The river has been rising rapidly during the last two days; and the drift wood now passing shows that the fences are suffering. We understand the bridge has been somewhat injured.

· Toledo Blade of February 17, 1843: Most severe winter in 7 years …

The weather still continues cold. For the last week there has not been a day which has not furnished its part of the snow which now covers the earth. Thus far we have had a more severe winter than had been known in this section of the country for the past seven years. The weather prophets predicted last fall, that we would have an unusually cold winter; and from our experience so far and the prospects of the future, it seems that the “muskrats, the squirrels and French ponies,” are not such bad philosophers after all.

· Toledo Register of April 11, 1843: Bridge at Maumee City carried away in flood …

The Maumee River is again in navigable order. The ice commenced moving opposite this place on Saturday, and on the following day the channel was open to the bay. No damage was done here in the river; but a part of the draw bridge over Swan Creek was carried away by the ice which had accumulated against the piles left unprotected by breakers, a negligence and want of forecast of which the past Council are justly chargeable. We learn that the docks at Manhattan sustained injury, but to what extent we have not heard. The bridge at Maumee City was carried away several days before the ice commenced moving here.

The 1843 - 1849 bridge …

· Toledo Blade of February 1, 1849: Mid-winter flood threatens bridge…

The Flood. A letter from Perrysburg received last evening gives the following account of the break up on Sunday morning. “We had a grand break up here yesterday morning, tearing the front of the warehouse occupied by J.A. Scott almost entirely off – injuring Smith’s some, how much I cannot tell; drowning four horses for B.F. Hollister, throwing his canal boats off the stocks, and ruining about four hundred barrels of salt for him – carrying away Kirk’s slaughterhouse, the ferry house, and some fifteen head of cattle from the island, which is entirely covered. The water is higher than ever before known here. The Bridge stands, but I learn is settled in one or two places. The Globe, Hollister and Harrison were moved down stream about forty rods, but have received no injury, I believe. A canal boat frame belonging to Mr. Beach was thrown from the stocks, and carried down some ways but by the exertions of our citizens was towed back. Considerable lumber was carried off.

· Toledo Blade of March 8, 1849: Bridge carried away by the ice…

The River. The bridge at Maumee was carried away yesterday morning, which renders crossing the river at this time very difficult. The river is again very high at the foot of the rapids and the movement of the ice has completed the destruction of the warehouses at Miami. It is feared that the shipping will be greatly damaged there, and that great losses will be sustained by farmers, and others above. The dam of ice formed at Marengo by the partial break up in January has not given away, and the river is still rising at Maumee. The ice in front of our town is giving way, and will probably pass off without doing injury. Swan Creek bridge has been carried away by the ice. We shall be all clear in a day or two, and then hurra [sic] for a navigation with Detroit. Let the beautiful Arrow, the sylph-like Owen, and the graceful Hollister, take the track.

· Fort Meigs Reveille of March 10, 1849: Two-thirds of bridge carried away by ice…

Spring Flood. We have just witnessed the second edition of the greatest flood on the Miami River of Lake Erie for more than a quarter century past. A few days subsequent to the January flood, the river closed up again with ice nearly as solid as ever. About two weeks since, the weather became more moderate, and the ice began to loosen on the rapids, which was succeeded, by a few days extremely cold.

BACK TO COVER