, 1842-11-12
Nov. 10th, 1912.

The Ono RivER.-The Govern
ment of the United States has, il
seems, al last turned its attention Sc
riously to the Improvement OF TIE
navigation of the Ohio, and has re.
Gently directed two officers Of the
corps of Typographical Engineers 10
examine the OHIO River-the one
from Pittsburg to Louisvllle-the 9th
er from Louisville to the month, and
the Mississippi from thence to ST.
Louis-the latter having been con
fided to the 1t. Col. of the corps.
Captain Hughes arrived here on
Friday night, having left Pittsburgh
on the 18TH inst. in a shift. He is &C
compaaied by an intelligent and ex
perlenced steamboat Captain, with
whose assistance he has carefully ex,
amined the different distractions in
the river, and the condition of the
works heretofore erected, and the
effects produced by them on the navi-
CATION. Captain II. was directed to
report the progress OF his recon
noissance, from time to time TO head
quarters, and although he cannot.
from natives of official delicacy and
etiquette, be expected 10 comnuni-
cate the exact results Of his laborS,
yet, knowing the deep anxiety felt by
4 large portion OF his feIlowLrit:zens
in tins great national improvement,
he has with some hesitation, permit
ted us TO state, that his instructions
are. lst. TO determine elements for an
estimate describing localities and 9th
er operations in detail; I'd, 10 exam
inc the work that has been done, and
the dams that have been constructed;
their efets, good or evil, upon the
navigation; Sd, to suggest whatever
modification may appear to be desi,
rabie or necessary.
The plans heretofore pursued have
been directed. We understand, TO the
removal Of snags, sunken logs, isola-
ted rocks, wrecks and other impedi,
ments Of this character forming OBJ
structions to the channel way: and
to the construction OF low dams, In
tended TO throw the greater part Of
The water in the river during its low
stages into one channel.
The plan of operation, so for as il
regards the concentration of the Wa
ter into n undivided volume, was
attempted at the two localities, which
presented the greatest difficulties
In reference to this Capt. H.. says,
Browns Island Shoals was formerly
ly the worst pass between Pittsburgh
and Wheeling, but since the improve
ments have been made it is better
than many other shoals. The works
have undoubtedly been of great ser.
vice here, and prove most conclu-
sively the practicability Of greatly
amelIora,ing the condition of the
navigation. These works have add
ed in the extreme low stages of water
at least six inches, and at medium
stages a great deal more, while they
have greatly prolonged the season of
navigation for bots of 8 to 4 feet
draught OF water; and he thinks if
the dams were repaired and tighten
ed, it would add B or inches water
to the channel.
AT Captina Island the dams have
not been SO effective; but he thinks
this is owing to extensive breaches in
them through which much water is
wasted, and that if they We're repair.
ed, the most satisfactory result might
be anticipated. And referring gene,
rally 10 the subject, he feels no hest
tation in saying, hal there is no
physical difficulty in securing a navi-
which shall never be loss than