Constitutional Whig. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1824-1832, 1831-06-02
BALDWIN'S REPORT.

BALDWINS REPORT
| On examining the river from Rockets to Warwick
two places only found, where the navigation is
much INSTRUCTED. These the rocks which rise above
the rocky gravelly bed at b. below the steamboat
wharf, and the sand bar by the rock, with buoy at g.
These shewn the plan with the depths over the
rocks at high tides marked IN feet; Also the depths
along the channel indicated by bered ne the depths
IN various places, marked the sand bar or middle
ground, coloured yellow.
There are also some rocks in the channel and be.
tween 1t and the right bank at d., on which vessels
sometimes strike. They appear be detached granite
rocks, and can be removed without much difficulty.
The sand bar commencing at the point the left bank
at e., and extending, shewn by the yellow ground
the plan, towards Warwick, has various depths from
two to seven feet AT points the depths feet
marhed. From G. to f. found many logs and old
trees, mostly covered with sand, and one near E. is
sometimes above the surface of low These
were probably the original of the long shoal
reaching along the wide part of the river below. The
strong current of reshes setting against banks
at the feld of the rocks d. left the floating and
dn Ting wood to settle in the eddy below the point c.
Inc oar Is continued bed of sand without rocks,
| except at G.
The accumulation of the sand bar has been produced
by freshes, and the destruction of the banks above
hese two causes will continue to and gradually
extend and elevate the bar unless eecua remedy
is applied To increase the depth of this sec
ton OF the river three plans applicable.
Inc trSt 49, to construct dam with a lock at some
advantageous point below all the distractions, of
neght to flow the water to depth at all times sufficient
Tor navigation. The expense of this work, though
great would be objection, if certainty useful
could be relied on-one consequence would be the
eevatng the surface of freshes to the adj
dtona height of the dam Richmond and the foot of
the falls. This might produce great mischief A dam,
however, two three feet high would increase the
river in the channel to a convenient DEPTH at all the
distractions which now exist.
The second plan s to construct jetes those places
where deeper water is wanted and leave the
thus contracted to out the channel. These
only applicable where mud sand gravel form the bed,
ahd should be always constructed right angles with
the desired course of current extending from the oppo
han inf ho
the current should be nearly nversey the intended
increlse of depth. The bar the rock G.. reaches
about fifty rods along the channel with only ele
ven feet water at high tides. channel would be
worn away deep enough any vessels, by jetes built
here The extreme ends of the etties should not be
raised above ordinary high tides and thence it would
be best to give them gentle slope to the top of the
bank like glacis. But it is impossible from the
hckeness and irregularily stream give steady
direction to the current beteen the heads of the etes
IN the line of the channel, wharves piers should be
connected with them at the extreme ends, parallel with
each other and with the current and at right angles
with the etties. The wharves should be higher than
the surface of high tides and should up stream
many yards above the jetes and below the n, about
quarter or fifth of that distance. The effect of such
works is obvious. The would be confined be-
tween parallel walls, and acquire eteudy uniform
direction, which it would naturally preserve for consd
cradle distance after leaving the artificial channel,
less opposed diverted by some new obstacle. By
constructing such works, and more convenient
channel may be formed by the force of the current
alone, through great extent of the river.
This work would involve great expense as we'll as
the dam and lock- To avoid both, and combine smpli-
city and economy, two important requisites always to
be sought in public works of this knd) it is expedent
to attempt remedy by deepening the channel.
This third plan, therefore, ought to be fss tried.
the best mode under present circumstances of ncreas
the depth of water between Rockets and Warwick
directed by the order of the board. Two three
feet additional depth may be procured along the chan
mel OF o. by means of scoops and scrlpers. The
Pense will be very small compared with that Of
structng the dam jetties and should the bar again
form within short time, the labor prove Intellectual
resort may be had to either of the Interior and
important works mentioned above There appears to
be no rock at this place. except the with the buoy
| and it does not seem necessary to that.
Some of the rocks at ID. be easily taken out.
The other though less consider able distractions
sist of the rocks the steamboat wharf The posi-
tons of of the largest given the pau with
the depth of water over them at high tides The bed
here very hard and gravey and in places appears
be formed of soft granite, not very difficult to break and
remove. The great rocks lie within a small compass.
BY breaking up the bed with heavy iron bars it is prob
able they may be loosened be easily removed.
Should this not succeed cassons must be used to blast
them with powder.
The left bank of the river from the steamboat wharf
down to the point c. the right bank from Mr.. Hoth's
store opposite Rockets, to the Manchester MILL and
many other parts of the river banks evidently fall.
ing in by the abrasion of the stream.
Within few years, great encroachments have been
made by the river the high bar opposite Rockets.
The earth thus washed away, is carried along with
the and settles where the to have
force enough drive it further and thus has been de-
posted in the wide part of the river and formed the
bar between f. and H. To check the progress of this
evil the banks at all such places should be Immediately
and effectually protected from abrasion by strong
stakes and wattles, other means.
The deep channel from F. to H., has evidently been
kept open by the violence of the coming in from
the branch and ravne at NJ during great rains. The
deposition of the shoa at L. and the formation of the
bar at Co. have, probably, both been the result of the
same Ali which is respectfully submitted
L. BALDWIN, Principal Engineer.
! Richmond, Goth March, 1918.
At meeting of the commissioners for the City of
Richmond, named in of the Legislature of Viz
gna, passed 5th April, 1891 entitled IAN act to in,
corporate the Bynchburg and New River RAILROAD
Company" held at the Eagle Hotel, in the City Of
Richmond, Monday, goth May, 1881
Present Joseph Marx, Robert Pollard, j. B. Harve,
Nicholas Mills, James Rawlings, John Civilians, John
Garth, Robert &. Scott, George Fisher, and Samuel
| Hannah, commissioners.
The meeting proceeded to organise by the appoint
ment of RoBgRT POLLARD, Chairman, and JAMES Raw
| LrNGs, Secretary.
! Whereupon, the following resolutions adopted:
LIST. Resolved, That in the absence Of any survey of
the proposed route for RAILROAD, from tho town Of
Lynchburg to New River, and an estimate Of the pro-
babe cost of the work, it to the commissioners
inexpedent, at this time, open books for receiving