Photo Catalog Record
Images
Metadata
Title |
House under Stedman Street Bridge during a flood |
Image # |
74.9.8.18 |
Object Name |
Print, Photographic |
Date |
1930, October 2 |
Photographer |
Fisher, Elliot L. |
Studio |
Fisher Studio |
Location |
Ketchikan, Alaska |
Description |
House Under Stedman Street Bridge during a flood at low tide, arctic bar and Kimuras store sitll standing. FRIDAY, OCTOBER 3, 1930. FLOOD DAMAGE HERE SET AT $50,000 Houses, Logs Jam Near Creek Mouth Dynamite Charges Fail to Dislodge Mass of Debris; Kimura Store Building Weakened and Near Collapse Bridge Washed Out Near Hatchery; Waters Receded Today; Five-Inch Rainfall in 12 Hours Ending at 4 P. M. Yesterday With damage at least $50,000 along Ketchikan creek alone, the worst flood in the history of Ketchikan is over. The creek dropped four feet last night. While still high, it is fast approaching normal. The waters reached their peak late yesterday after 5.02 inches of rain fell in the 12-hour period from 4 a. m. to 4 p. m. A great mass of debris lodged against the Stedman street plank bridge across the creek. Mayor Walker says that the street commissioner and members of his force and loggers directed by Art Larsen, H. M. Sawyer and William Boos, pile driver man, expect to have the debris cleared away so that the street will be open to automobile traffic tomorrow morning. Four shots of dynamite were placed in the mass of logs and wrecked buildings yesterday, but the debris could not be dislodged. The bridge above the hatchery built by the government went out. Until this is rebuilt all of the residents on the south side of the creek in Revilla precinct will be cut off from automobile traffic. Three houses fell into the stream and increased the jam at Stedman street. These were the red building on the property of the Citizens Light Power & Water Company and two buildings just below there owned by Mrs. Eleanor C. Pratt on the north side of the creek. "Mickie" Mitchell occupied one of these and Mrs. Pratt occupied the other. Volunteers assisted the two women in removing their furniture and household goods. Both women expressed appreciation for the assistance given them. The greatest individual loss was that of Harry Kimura whose store fronts Stedman street with its rear facing part of Ketchikan creek. Logs and debris swung down by the swift current of the flood knocked the piling from under a part of the two story store which sagged toward the creek. It was decided today to cut the building in half in the hope of saving one half. The stock of goods and store fixtures were moved out and into the building nearby owned by Mrs. Hamilton, in which Kimura will reopen until repairs are made to his building. Mr. Kimura said he paid out several hundred dollars each year for damage to the rear of the building from floods, but the present flood was the worst of all. His damage will run into the thousands of dollars. Nearly all of the buildings lining the creek along the south side in the main part of the town suffered from broken underpinning, as well as some on the opposite side. Many of the residents moved out and most of them also moved their effects. Cables held the Teeter apartment house above the falls from caving into the creek. The houses between the roadway and creek just above the deep hole at the foot bridge were flooded in the basement. Over a foot of water flowed over the roadway during the crest of the storm yesterday. No damage was caused to the bridge above the falls and crossing to the ball park, the height of the structures and manner of their construction clearing all debris. Mayor Walker called attention today to the fact that the city force was ably assisted by a number of volunteer workers during the height of the flood, more than one facing actual danger. Damage of a minor nature was caused to portions of the Tongass highway both south and north of the city, mostly parts washed out and edges caved in by miniature torrents and overflows from several creeks. Yesterday Mayor Walker sent an engineer, to look at the dam of the power company. The engineer returned and said in his opinion the dam was perfectly safe to hold any flood waters, but suggested that a watchman be placed at the dam to keep a close watch for any possible weakening of the structure. Six inches of water was flowing over the dam, several inches more than for any previous flood. O. M. Carter, when asked about the damage done to the property of the Citizens Light, Power & Water Company, stated that it was very slight. We were considerably concerned about several poles along Ketchikan creek and on Stedman street where the log jam occurred. Our men were instructed to watch these.' very closely as they carry practically the entire city supply of electric light and power," he said. Mr. Carter stated that the storm caused no damage of any nature at the headworks near Ketchikan lake. Early Thursday morning a water main was washed away where it crosses Carlanna creek near Sunny Point cannery. However, this danger was foreseen last spring when the pipe was laid, and valves were installed on both sides of the creek with connections so that a temporary line could be laid across the bridge so that those living beyond the bridge would receive service. CARD OF THANKS I wish to take this occasion to thank the public and those who assisted me during the flood which caused the loss of my property. The usual Alaska spirit was in evidence. MRS. ELEANOR G. PRATT |
Print size |
12.18 cm x 17.10 cm |
People |
Fisher, Elliot L. |
Search Terms |
Fish Related Stedman Street |
Credit line |
Ketchikan Museums: Tongass Historical Society Collection, THS 74.9.8.18 |