The daily union. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1845-1857, 1849-01-16

the Eastern Branch II has also destroyed large por
ton OF the wang al this point, making the damage
item OF considerable magnitude. Again between Fcur.
and-a-ha and Sixth sueeis and between Sixth and
Seventh streets, the deposites very heavy and at all
other points west where the silt from the city is dis
charged through the sewers Immediately into H. which
IS 10 be expected there being no provisions by cespoos
or other means 10 receive It. The wailng, too, IN many
places along this section, requires extensive repairs par
ucuary from Fourteenth street bridge on the south side
to its terminus with the river. This embraces the whole,
with the exception OF the wbarves at the eastern termi
nus and The nine bridges, all OF which except the one
which crosses at New Jersey avenue and the which
crosses at Mary land avenue of wood, and of
them in very dilapda,ed and lettering condition, so
much so that they will require to be replaced at dis
abt day. and when done, they should not be inferior TO
the iron at Maryland avenue. OF the wharves at
the eastern terminus there y nothing remaining but the
piles they are however, sufficient to sustain new plat
form.
have thus in detail presented its condition; and il is
scarcely necessary for to add that the immediate clean
ing OF It out and repairing OF It's walls is not only ndis
pensable to lis protection, but TO the health of the city
for even viewed in the ghto common sewer, located
is with the advantages OF tidal drainage, It's value is
nestmabe. But there were other considerations which
prompted and accomplished It's construction and now
forciby urge the Importance of making such improve
mens will render ii all its projectors desred,he ef
fectye connecting link between the navigable waters OF
the Potomac at an important point and that supendous
work, the Chesapeake and Ohio Canal, which is now
rapidly progressing to completion, and by which this
city will be largely benefited, not only in CONNER
cial point OF view, by the coal trade and the eXpora
ton of other commodities, but by The spirit OF enter
prise which it will nfuse into every class of society,"
and thus make the patronage of the government and
its dependencies matters OF minor consideration with
the citizens generally The natural advantages which
this city possesses, in point OF LOCATION require no
eucdaon OF mine; and when we add to this harbor
sufficient for any amount of tonnage, flor the water
boundary of the city, from the Navy Yard to the basin
at Seventeenth street. and thence to Easbys point, re-
CURES but 10 be properly wharved and the channel i'm,
proved, already stated to make It so it is not too
much for TO say that requires but the proper effort
obtain all that is desirable The following plan of inn
provement is therefore recommended:
Plan of InprouSment First: The construction of
sectional dams, and the cleaning out and repairing of lis
walls in permanent manner from lis eastern to lis west
ern terminus, Secondly: The construction of perma
nent dam where the Tber discharges itself at Third street
west and the construction OF cespool to each cuver
on the north side thence TO Seventeenth street west
Thirdly: The erection of dry-wall, IN the deep cut
about four feet in height to sustain the embankment;
and the grading OF the embankment IFS face aud on
top, and the cutting OF ditch each side parallel TO H.
where necessary to carry o the SURFACE water SO as to
proper stone abutments under Four and half, Seventh
Twelfth, and Fourteenth street bridges so as TO form
continuous owpath on the south side, and the grading
and graveng OF tow.path twelve feet wide, and the
cutting OF proper drain from Fourteenth to street. to-
gether with grading six feet wide the north side IN
the deep cuts and at other points where necessary
Filthy The changing OF the junction of each section
each 81 e from angles TO arcs OF sufficient curve and the
filling in OF the the east and south side between
the dock opposite the Centre Market and the one oppo
site Eleventh street west These places will form
venient repositories for the debris from the excavations
and will render the line continuous both sides, and in
crease the wharf where 1t IS desirable Sxtkly
The continuation OF toe wing dam al Seventeenth street
SOUTH 10 the line OF the north channel: and the continual
ton of The wall the south side TO the ine eav-
ing passage, between the Two, sufficient for steamboats,
and square vessels to enter the BASIN these walls
to terminate with pier heads OF heavy stone mason.
ry laid IN cement of sufficient height and strength 10
tain guard gates, and thereby protect tie canal against
freshets Sevenhy Tie construction OF two locks,
at street south, and the other at Fourteenth street
west, 10 be, in dimensions, not less than those OF the
Chesa eake and Ohio canal and TO be built of stone IN
permanent manner. The construction OF these locks
and the pier heads and guardg al the entrance 10 the
BASIN would not only render the transit OF boats, from
the terminus OF the Chesapeake and Ohio canal at Seven
teenh street west 10 the Eastern Branch, complete at
any stage Of the tide, and protect the city along the lice
from limitations, but would place the volume of water
between the two proposed locks under perfect control to
be used, stages OF the ebb in opening and
keeping oen the channel OF the river from the basin nj
Seventeenth to the Long Bridge, and producing
thence like effect to the Eastern Branch, which it will
do effectively they properly consirucei and thus
make where there is but from 10 feet Of water,
sufficient channel for large class vessels In view there
lore of the benefits 10 be derived from the o! the
tire volume at an average of three feet three inches
ordinary tides ana the emp importance OF increasing rather
ton in the width OF the canal from Sixth TO Seventeenth
street west.
It will be proper for me here to remark that
incubation OF the construction of dam where the Tber
discharges itself, is in view OF its present course; II,
however, provision should be made by Congress for
changing III 10 another dTecuon--eaSt OF Inc CapIoi
into the Eastern Branch, which is practicable, and would
be productive OF some benefits, the dam would not be
necessary the only water that weuld discharge itself
into the canal at that point would be that from the cni-
vert now in the of construction which will pass
under Indiana avenue. would also take occasion to
state that the cutting Of ditch, twenty feet wide and
six feet deep, from Virginia avenue through James's
creek east of the Arsenal to the Eastern Branch, would
be productive of many benefits, particularly the dram
age OF the low grounds and in answering the pur-
pose OF wasie.weir to the canal discharglng, where
at present II is necessary part OF the Volume; tor as
feet and the velocity of the current with the ebb par
ticuarly in spring tides, very strong 1t has produced,
from the deepening of the bed below the walling serious
fractures throughout this structure 1t is to be regretted
that the span of this bridge not wider, Tor there is
sufficient elevation make it so, and it would
be sound economy to take II down and rebuild 1t so that
the waterway could be increased
With regard TO the facilities necessary for the recep
ton and shipment OF coal. the city should repair the
wharveS each side of the canal TO the channel at the
eastern terminus where vessels OF large tonnage could
lie without difficulty and individual enterprise would do
the remainder AT the end there is room sfi-
Gent every side of the basin, for any quantity parcu
arly on the of the wing dam, where the fiat can be
reclaimed and made available This embraces all that Is
essentially necessary, and the following the estimates
for the improvement recommended:
Estimates.
Cleaning AMI repairing the walling 1921
Ccspoos 4too
Da N at Tiber creek 2673
D"'' - S29, s53
Locks pier-hcads tow paths, filing in docks,
structing dry-was and grading embankments 37t7
S67 800
Plans will be furnished and with them detailed est
mates If required.
With tins closes the performance Of the duty required
by the resolution of the corporation under your direction
and IN doing So it affords pleasure 10 make my ac