The Arkansas banner., 1844-02-06
MEMPHIS, TENN. October 2s. ls43.

MEMPHIS, 1 ENN. Oct06er 2S, IS43.
 SIR; Agreeable to the orders of the honol- able the Secretary of the Navy, we have re- visited and continued our examination of the harbor of Memphis, and have the honor to re- port as follows:
 we hnd the batture and low grounds adia- cent, winch, at the time of our first visit were covered with water, now bare ard dry, and at an average height ofnineteen feet above ex- treme tow water. That part of the batture embraced in the proposed site for anaval de- pot was not increased in surface by the over flow Ill the spring, and received but very small deposite from the river.
 The soundings taken at this time show variation to have taken place, both above and below the mouth of Wolf river above the mouth the Mississippi has deepened it's bed SIX feet, while below 1t has shoaled three feet. The channel of the river has received no new direction, and the batture appears to have reached its limits With view to ascertain the quality of the soil below the bed of the riyer we made experiments, by boring in va rlous places above and below the mouth of Wolf river, and found at an average depth of twenty-five feet below the present surface of the rlver, and about fifty feet below high wa ter, hard bottom, apparently rock, or a con- glomeratlon of gravel and other substances. From the imperfecton of our implements. it was impossible to ascertain its character with more exactness. In passing downward through the batture, It was found to be saturated wi h water at and below the level of the river ;- formerly soft qnicksand, with occasionally thin stratum of hard earth, but not of suffi- clent hnnness to support piles driven into it agamst the operations of the river, should its force pc turned against them. The hard bot tom below offers better foundation. While the Mississippi continues to run in its pres ent channel, 1t would perhaps be unnecessary to secure the bank by piles; levelling and fii- ling up would be ample protection. Should any future change throw the current against this side, it will then be indispensable to pro- tect It either by mason work from the rocky foundation, by piles, or some other effective mode. A group of islands, immediately a. bove Memphis, divides the river into several branches, which are united again before pas sing the city. It is thought practicable to prevent the river from setting against the Ten nessee shore, should it ever appear inclined to take that direction, by obstructing the pas sage between two of the islands, or between an island and the main land, so as to force it into other channels.
 In our former report we stated that water power could be obtained by canal from the Wolf river, at point about l I miles distant, by a route which we had examined, and that a right of way for such purpose would be given to Government Since then. arrange ments have been made to construct this canal at the expense of the city. It is contempat- ed to reserve sufficient amount of the wa ter power it will furnish for the use of the na- " yard, should 1t be established here. Dis tlnct propositions on this matter will be trans mltted to the Navy Department by the author ltles; as soon as the surveys and estimates are completed.
 With regard to all other points to which our attention was directed, the results of our present examination and inquiries confirm the opinions and establish the facts set forth in our former report. We have the honor, &c.
 L. ROUSSEAU, Captain
 II. A, ADAMS, Commander.
 s. JOHNSON, Lieutenant. Hon. DAVID HENsHAw, Secretary of .Narv.