Semi-weekly North-Carolina standard. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1852-1853, 1852-03-20

Is miles above Newbern,
TO J. Jackson'S seine
haul, The distance is q miles, oiai rise LIS -
Thence to Waynesboro $40 - Use "I'|o
Total distance to
Waynesboro, Sl3 Iotdi HSc 4o'oS .
Thence to Smithfeld, So " rise oSoI
Total distance to
Smitb6eld, 1894 " Total r. 1Ol.69"
Thence to Watson's
Mill, lO3 rise 1910
Total distance to
Watson's Mills, 100 lo'ai N. lSA'A1
From the above distances and levels it appears
that for
The first 81 miles, the rise is
at the rate of 4l6 inches per miie'
The next so miles g." $40
IO4 1885 feet
The Neuse River, as will appear from the above
statement, and an inspection of the maps and pro
files, flows with gentle current through level
sandy region Of country In some portions OF its
passage it becomes very tortuous, and these bends
perate to check and retard the current
The banks were found to be very low, on the
lower portion of the river for the first twentyseven
miles; even when they attained a moderate eleSa-
ton on one side, they always found to be only
from one to three feet on the other.
The cross sections upon the different shoals gave
a sandy bottom, but by penetrating this with an
iron sounding rod, steeled at the point, compact
blue mari was found, at average depth OF feet
upon which little no impression could be made.
This substance shows itself frequently on the
concave sides of the elbows where the banks have
been considerably worn by the action of the cur
rent, and near the base of most OF the principal
bluffs on the river from which there scarcely be
doubt that it forms the sub-stratum of the coun-
try and the primitive bed of the river covered, to
a greater or less thickness with sand and gravel.
This blue mari, when reached, is sufficiently COM
pact and firm to sustain any work of art which
may become necessary for the improvement of the
river, and, where stone cannot be had, when. cut
into blocks, will answer for ballast-packing. y
All writers upon that branch of the art of engin-
eering, coming under the head of river improve
ment concur in declaring, that it is the diff
cult with which the Profession has TO contend
and the practical operation in this country, we'll
as in Europe, fully confirms the declaration; and
especially is this the in all rivers flowing thro
level and sandy regions of country. The banks are
abraded by every flood and the sand carried along
by the rapidity of the current is deposited in the
eddies on the convex sides of the elbows and in
front of all opposing misunderstanding bars and
Instructions to the navigation, which remain until
some greater flood sweeps them out-producing
similar Instructions at other points-changing the
currents and channels, until the regimen of the
river again becomes fixed.
In the examination of the Neuse, the currents
and channels were closely Observed and every bar
Of sand or gravel could be traced to some primary
cause.
No doubt, as the banks of the river were cleared
up, 1t was found to be the easiest and most con-
venient way of disposing of the logs and limbs of
trees, to throw them into the river. These, in
floating along down the stream, were arrested by
their projecting limbs, at some point in their pas
sage where there was decrease in the depth the
sand began to make round them, and thus formed
nucleus about which other trees and logs accum-
ulated, until in time bar was formed such rs now
constitute the main obstacles to the navigation
These bars necessarily affect the currents and form
channels winding and tortuous, depending upon the
position these floating trees are made tc assume.
1t would therefore seem to be next to impossible
to remove these sand bars without removing the
cause which created them, as they would be very
soon formed again /; for the laws which govern the
operations OF streams certain and sure as are
all other laws of nature, and the object should be,
not to go counter to them, but by carefully study
ing the currents and their causes and aiding them
when necessary, or immaterially changing them,
we may effect great good, and insure, it is beley-
ed, a navigation throughout the year.
1t must appear obvious then, that to accomplish
this, artificial channels must be cut by clearing out
the logs and limbs, and eXcavating the bottom, SO
Tar as may be necessary to give the requisite depth
after which, by judicious system of Wing-dams
at the head and throughout the extent of the shoals
eAcAFaCeo-DelnS careful to avoid contracting them
so much as to add materially to the current, but
to endeavor to give it that velocity and direction
through the excavated channel as may be neces-
sary to keep it open. 1t is believed this can be
done with the aid of dredging machines so as to
ensure regular navigation as high up as J. Jack
sons seine-haul, p miles above the Red Old
Fields" or AZ miles above Newbern.
With this view, accurate cross sections of the
river were taken upon the shoals up to the point
named, including the " Cowpen," " Red Old Fields"
"Splcer Lane, Pitch Kettle" "owl Head"
Village" Maple Cypress" aGriudle Creek"
Bull Point" and in the neighborhood of Dau9-
herry's upper and lower bridges.
The rise from the "Red Old Fieldsn mn To
Jacksons seine-haul, was found to be 1l.24 feet.
or 4.le inches per mile. With so inconsiderable
descent as this, the river necessarily flows with
sluggish current, which, even upon the shoals
named, to the eye is scarcely perceptibIe
Inc cross section at j. Jacksons shows depth
OF water varying from to 8 feet-the banks Io1
nee! ngh on one side and 123 feet on the other.
inns was the frst favorable point found for putting
IN oain and lock- Stone was also found conyen.
+. The banks below this are peneralyv varv law
ranging from l to feet. purpose, therefore