Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-05-26

ted sua on and the nature of the earth of which is
formed, has been unable to corrode and carry away
but which, once removed, would not be likely to form
again. The souudings indicate that even now moth
ing OF an auvla nature is suffered 20 lodge pernauept
y on the bar. How much more certainly will this be
the case hen passage opened the full unobstruc
ted force OF the current
he quantity OF earth necessary to be excayated will
amount to CT GOO 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 TO what Is called the IN i'll Rocks" or Coxs bar
about 20 miles below Richmond. This consists of a
shoa In the channel extending for about thirds of
mlle and will require average excavation of two
eet Tor that distance, amounting 80 600 cubic yards
MS WI open lice passage for vessels requiring II feet
up to Warwick bar, (Map No 81 five miles below
richmond, above which vessels drawing more than ID
ieet water cannot ascend. Ii is not usua for them in
deed, to come up lar superior conveniences for
receiving and dlscharging their caeoes are afforded at
City FONT and Bermuda Hundred and little or no ad
vantage would be gained by coming up to Warwick,
unless they could procsed all The ay TO Richmond 1t
is sometimes done however; part Of the cargo is re-
celved there and then The larger ships drop down below
Harrsons bar and take in the rest of their lsdiny In
either case, lighters have to be employed transport
The cargo to or rom the vessel.
The trade OF Richmond u.s. in consequence burdened
with heavy charges tor lighterage and uanshipment,
10 addition to the rsk OF transportation; and the DELAYS
and inconvenience to the shipper, of being obliged 10
transact business which much requires his ime
superniendence, at distance ofory fifty miles from
iii.
increased price OF freight and Insurance. and propor
tlonal dimunition in mercantile profits which cannot
out operate veiy unavoraby upon the interests of that
city especially when brcughtinto competition vi those
OF other places which have OF these difficulties
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 pass
upto Richmond, and receive or discharge their ading
directly at Its wharves, must, at once, be obvious.
careful survey made OF this part OF the river
chart OF which is herewith submitted.
no laid IL
reduced to the lowest tide occurring during the
During the progress OF the survey, the water did not
1a 10 The level assumed the base in the Tide Regis
ter, and IS seldom low but will generally show r.
depth over the soundings marked. The rise and fall
OF The TOE are somewhat IRREGULAR the average, accor
ding TO the Register and the information OF observers
being about i've feet. The usual high tides are about
SIX ieet above the base assumed.
From Warwick to Richmond, thirteen ieet at high
toes is the least water occurring in every part OF the
river except over the Richmond bur- about miles
pondiDg stage OF the tide For the greater part OF the
distance between Warwick and Richmond bars and for
nearly halt the distance between that barand Richmond
fifteen feet is afOl ded at ordinary high tides: but owing
to the obstacle presented by the Richmond bar,
sells drawing mole than ten feet can pass above that
point The obstruction consists oil bar shoal which
originating on the eastern side OF the river some die
lance above, here crosses and stretches dow the
tern shore Tor nearly mile. Where it the chan.
mel 1t quite short, no. exceeding hundred YARDS
and as consists OF sand and auvion only, may be
easily removed.
A survey OF this part of the river was made in 1873
by Laommi Baldwin, ESQ.,; but was unable to pro-
cure copy OF his char, enable me 10 Judge
whether any changes had taken place, since il was
made the depth and position Of the bar and if any,
to what extent.
No doubt CAP be entertained as to the causes which
have opera ted TO form this obstruction The freehets,
which periodically occur, bring down with them i'm
mense quantities OF sand leaves, fragments of timber
and auvial matter. They are here, Tor the first time,
encountered by the tide The velocity Of The current
49, IN consequence, suddenly checked and its power Of
bearing up the various earthly substances suspended in
the water, SO much dim inshsd that they subsde and
fall 10 the bottom. These ha We been SO long in
operation, that very considerabe deposite has been
made which The force OF the current ordinary stages
OF the river, has been able remove The snuosi-
ties OF the river at this point have contributed TO give
to the shoa lis present form and position.
CONCLUSION OUR NEXT