Runaway Barges at Wheeling
Thursday, January 6, 2005-
Many river incidents occurred during this period of high water. One event happened above Wheeling, W.Va. when a fleet of fourteen barges broke loose from the Cardinal Power Plant at mile marker 76. The barges drifted down the river in the swift current, and some even made it through the dam at Pike Island at mile marker 84. Officials closed the bridges in Wheeling, including the Fort Henry and I-470 bridges to prepare for a possible allision. Many spectators were on hand, watching as the barges drifted past the city. When all was said and done, the Ohio side channel pier on the Fort Henry bridge was struck by a loaded coal barge first, and then by an empty open hopper. Two other barges passed through the bridges without striking any piers. The M/V Boonesboro and another unidentified vessel successfully caught the barges below the city wharf. Jim Lapham was in the Mull Center in Downtown Wheeling, and managed to photograph the barges as they drifted southbound.
First barge:
Second barge:
Third barge:
Fourth barge:
Page ©
C.R. Neale
Images © Jim Lapham