The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-03-16
LOCAL MATTERS

THr REMovAr OF THE Bans IN JARS.
RrvEK-We knpw of Few events which have or-1
casioncd more pleasure among the citizens of Rich
n1ond than the preparation to remove the bars
which have fnpeded the commerce Of James River
1t gives new hope and stimulates the energies of
all OF US. The proceeding Is ol that class OF
things which affords TO every one delight and for
time gives additional coutentment to life and its
pursuits Our trade and our people have suffered
long time from obstacles which ought to hive
been removed by the Federal Government That
Government has finally had its attention 80 direct
ed to them ~ TO induce il to appropriate a small
sum fer their removal and our city authorities i'm.
patient at the long delay determined 10 nut their
own shoulders to the wheel and with the aid of the
Federal Government to carnpletc the important
work. Therefore we now see that it is to be done,
and rejoice at it.
The machine which Ia to be employed in this
undertakins-the Dredging Boat of Mr. pawn, ia
believed TO the most perfect yet made. Col. De
RussY who has with view to the removal of the
bars IN our waters, examined all the machines in
use in the different harbors North OF us, came TO
the conclusion that the Boat upon Mr. Psyn's plan
was the very best. It's power in raising earth
from the rivers bed is so great as to make 1t diff
tcult matter TO convey II away as rapidly as 1t is
thrown up The means for this purpose ordered
by the council are as yet incomplete. Three large
scows at a cost oil $3.50 each have been ordered
Two are ready and the third will soon be here
The ingenious arrangement OF them for the rapid
throwing of of earth without labor occasions their
heavy cost The earth that is received from the
Dredging machine is suddenly dropped or dumped,
Immediately the scow reaches the proper place of
deposiie without labor loss of time and it is only
necessary have force enough to move it to and fro
between the Dredging Boat and the shore. On the
Hudson small steaneris used to tow the Dredg-
ing Boat from point to point and to tow the scows
The machine built for our river is furnished with
paddles and propels itself, the shaft which moves
the buckets and that which propels the boat being
alternately thrown in or out of gear may be ne
cessary. We onjecture however that it will be
found best 10 have small steam tug to move the
scows, that will greatly promote the rapidity of
the dredging operations The three scows procur-
ed by the council it is supposed will not be sufi-
Gent. However, a lew days of practical operation
upon the bar will demonstrate more clearly what is
wanted
With regard to the bar at Warwick if the test of
Tuesday is not deceptive, it will soon be out of the
way and vessels will longer have to acait for tie
tide. The sand that was thrown up at the bar was
OF the best kind for building purposes and when
the machine gets to work, a fine opportunity will
be afforded those who engaged in the sand bust
ness. They can have their lighters loaded in five
minutes or thereabouts with the very best sand -
When the boat begins operations near Rockets,
we trust the corporation will large quanti-
ty of sand to be spread upon the wharves and roads
there. 1t would greatly improve them.
We repeat, that the commencement of this ope-
ration of dredging is great event for Richmond
1t will accomplish great deal for her trade. And
now that it is begun we trust it will not lag until
every bar which ipterferes al all with the trade of
James River shall be completely removed