Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-05-28


passage only on each side of it; the afordng IL
feet on the SOUTH the other the north side of it IA
ieet Neither OF these passages exceeds $50 eet in width
whence it is found impossible for vessels 10 keep so ex.
acy in the middle oeither OF them as to avoid ground
ing.
The nature of the bottom of this channel differs from
that OF the south channel which is muddy this consist
ing OF close sand and gravel Its surface is encunber
ed throughout with small Jumps or eleva ions above its
general level. From the shape and position OF these
rsngs OF the bottom, would seem that the river here
flows over earhs OF different degrees of density the
greater portion being softer and less capable OF resisting
the abrasion OF the current has been washed away,
leaving here and there nodules which are of texture
more firm and solid. To this cause indeed, and not to
dspostes from the stream is wholly to be attributed the
existence OF the bar in question. This idea is further
confirmed by the position OF the bar in reerence to the
nelghborng pars OF the river. Above the point where
the channel OF Skmmages creek enters the river char
NEIL lies shoal or mud flat, by which the descending
current OF the river is turned off in such manner as to
prevent the exertion OF its full force at the spot where
Harrlsons bar is situated, at such depth as would be
necessary tor Its removal Should this supposon be
correct, the same causes must continue to operate and
unless resort be had to artificial means the bar will
forever remain an obstacle in the way of the navga-
ton.
An examination of this part of the river was made in
1926 by e. Crozet ESQ., who his report upon the sub-
Ject expressed the opinion that the would have
the effect OF deepening the this obstruction;
but experience has not confirmed the prediction, per-
ceptbe change having taken place since that time un
less il be- indeed that the depth fsoundings on the bar
has rather decreased The accompanying map exhibits
the extent and position of the bar. The soundngs are
reduced 10 the lowest water, ascertahed by register
kept at City Point during The time occupied in making
the survey The tide, as was informed was unusual
ly low so that the soundngs would indicate rather less
water than is generally to be found. The average ebb
above the base assumed ATS feet, and the
rise above The same nearly feet This would give
as the least depth the bar feet and in the Two
passages on each side of it l6 feet at average high
ter
In order remove the obstruction entirely propo-
ed to dredge channel 200 yards wide through the
depth OF IL feet at high water and also to cut off the
point OF the shoa making from Harrisons point This
Will strengthen tie channel and will, am confident,
prove valuable and permanent Improvement for, as
have already observed, the bar is not in my opinion
mere deposit OF sediment made by the river but portion
oits original bed which the current owing to its proee.
ted lon and the nature OF the earth Of which is
formed, has been unable to corrode and carry away
but which, once removed would be likely to form
again. The soundings indicate that, even now, moth
ing OF an alluval nature is suffered lodge permanent
ly on the bar. How much more certainly will this be
the case when passage is opened the full unobstruc
ted force OF the current!
The quantity OF earth necessary to be eXcayated will
amount to $1,000 cubic yards
-Four buoys will be necessary, two at each end, to
mark the exact position OF the passage
No obstruction exists above Harrisons bar until we
come 10 what is called the Mill Rocks" or Coxs bar,
about 20 miles below Richmond. This consists of
shoai 10 the channel extending for about wothrds Of
mile, and will require average excavation of two
ieet Tor that distance, amounting TO $4,000 cubic yards
MS WI open tree passage for vessels requiring II feet
up to Warwick bar, (Map No. 81 FIVE miles below
Richmond, above which vessels drawing more than IA
feet water cannot ascend 1t not usual for them in
Decd to come up lar as superior conveuepceS for
receiving and dschargng their cargoes afforded at
City Point and Bermuda Hundred; and little or no ad
vantage would be gained by coming up to Warwick
unless they could proceed all the way to Richmond 1t
is sometimes done, however, part OF the cargo is re-
celved there and then the larger ships drop down below
Harrlsons bar and take in the rest OF their adng In
either case lighters have to be employed to transport
the argo to or rom the vessel
The trade OF Richmond is in consequence burdeued
with heavy charges tor ighterage and ranshipment,
IN addition to the risk OF transportation; and the delays
ana inconvenience to the shipper, oil being Obliged to
transact business which much requires his immediate
superintendent at distance offory or fifty miles from
his warehouse. The unavoidable consequence is the
increased price OF freight and Insurance, aud proper
tiona dmuntion in mercantile profits which cannot
but operate very uniavoraby upon the interests OF that
city especially when broughinto competition with those
OF other places which have none OF these difficulties to
contend with. The Importance, therefore, of SO i'm
proving the navigation above Warwick, that vessels
that can come up to that point may be enabled to pass
up to Richmond. and receive discharge their ading
directly at its wharves, must at once, be obvious.
A careful survey made OF this part of the river
chart OF which is herewith submitted.
The soundings, as laid down upon the map were
reduced to the lowest tide occurring during the year
During the progress Of the survey, the water did not
l W ne ietei assumed as the DaSe In the Tide Regis
ter, and is seldom so low but will generally show
depth over the soundings marked The rise and fall
OF the tide are somewhat rreguar the average accor
dlng to the Register and the information of observers,
nelng ABOUT i've feet The usual high tides about
SIX feet above the base assumed
From Warwick to Richmond, thirteen feet at high
tides is the least water occurring in every part OF the
river, except the Richmond bur- about two miles
above the forme where but ten feet found at CORES.
pondng stage OF the tide. For the greater part of the
distance between Warwick and Richmond bars, and for
nearly nall the distance between that baand Richmond
fifteen feet afforded at ordinary high tides but owing
to the obstacle presented by the Richmond ha no yes
sells drawing more than ten feet can pass above that
point. The obstruction consists of bar or shoal which
Originating on the eastern side of the river some dis
lance above here crosses and stretches down the wes
tern shore tor nearly mile Where it crosses the chan
mel quite short, not exceeding two hundred yards
and, as 1t consists OF sand and auvion only may be
easily removed. - 49,
4 survey Of this part of the river was made in 1SlS
by Laommi Baldwin, Esq; but was unable to pro-
cure copy OF his chart, so to enable me to Judge
whether any changes had taken place, since il was
made IN the depth and position OF the bar and il any,
to what extent.
No doubt can be entertained as to the causes which
have operated to form this obstruction The freshets
Which periodically occur, bring down with them i'm.
mense quantities OF sand, leaves fragments of timber
and alluvial matter They are here Tor the first time,
encountered by the tide. The velocity of The current
s in consequence, suddenly checked; and its power OF
bearing up the various earthly substances suspended in
fall to the bottom. These causes have been long in
operation, that very considerable deposte has been
made, which the force of the current, ordinary stages
OF the river has not been able to remove The snups
ties OF the river, at this point, have contributed to give
to the shoal its present form and position.
Colonel Baldwin proposed three plans to remedy the
evil. The first was, to construct dam with q lock
at some advantageous point below all the distractions,
OF helgnt sunclent 10 raise the dopth at II
times sufficient for navigation.
The second was TO construct jeltes at those places
pndfn H.
thus contracted, to wear out the channel Wharves or
piers were to be connected WITH and at right angles to-
the PIERS so as to be parallel with each other and with
the course OF the current in order to give seadness
and direction to the force thus intended to be applied
, The objection urged against these plans, at the time
they were proposed was the very great expense which
The adoption OF either OF them would involve 1t is in
my opinion, we'll iounded and the first plan especially
is liable to others which less weighy The same
causes which have operated form the obstruction as
| now exists would not be removed, nor in the least
degree diminished, but would continue to act with in
creased force andrapidy from the very means taken
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