The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1854-03-13
THE DREpG,sG MAcH1sE-THE .Coy

HE DREDGING MACHINE.-IHE Con-
sTITUTIoNAL BAR" DOOMED Saturday we con-
slider great day for Richmond; because on that
day dredging machine which she has caused to
be built was tested and proved to be fully equal to
both promise and expectation A number OF gen.
temen were present to see the trial, and they
all delighted They found upon their arrival plain
looking small boat devoid OF display or pretension,
having however the appearance OF great solidity
and power, and armed with apparatus arranged
upon the very best principle for the labor she has
to perform. She was moored near the Ship Lock,
and the company getting on board she proceeded
short distance up the river. and having anchored,
commenced operations. The buckets only went
few times round when every body was satisfied
that we had powerful and rapid excavator of the
bed of the rver-in short just the thing wanted;
and the boat was looked upon, rude and unsym-
metrical it was, the most valuable vessel that
ever touched our wharves. We could at once see
those much talked of bars-those serious obstacles
to the commerce of MISUNDERSTANDING and
passing away before this powerful machine. But
a brief time will be necessary for this important
achievement-and when it is done we will all be
amazed that we have endured those obstacles so
long
This Dredging Boat is built under the direction
and according to the plan of Mr.. SAMUEL N. PAWN
of Albany. The duty of experimenting the reno.
val of the distractions to navigation in James River
was devolved upon Col. De RUssY of the Engineer
Corps by the Department at Washington. The
city cooperating in the work appropriated the
ofthe Council, Col. De Russy contracted for it's
construction with Mr.. Payn, who had gained quite
reputation for success in deepening harbors and
channels. The improvements in the machine for
which we are indebted to the ingenuity of Mr. P
are that the buckets cut in line with the chains
that unite them, and pass sectional cam
Wheel the OF which fitting in the links of the
chains keep the buckets from slipping The old
fashioned dredger had chains outside the buckets
and in solid bottom they an obstruction to the
operation of the buckets; besides the buckets did
not cut horizontally, and their work was done
slowly and laboriously. The buckets in Mr..
PAYNs machine cut horizontally aud passing
around the drum at the end of the shaft, come up
full to the brim of earth dug from the bottom
That side of the bucket which is underneath when
at the highest elevation is hinged at one side and
held by latch at the other The latch is lifted by
a wheel, and the side dropping the Garth falls into
shoot which conveys it 60 the lighter lying along
side to receive it,
The machine is held to its position by two large
vertical beams, called "spuds," which are lowered
or raised at will. In excavating a wide channel
one OF these is used as pivot and the boat with
her bow held excavates circle of Is feet She has
thirteen buckets is operated by one of Talbot and
Brothers engines of 80 horse power and is caua
BILE of lifting 1000 tons per day. 1t can dredge to
depth OF twenty teet The trial on Saturday was in
about five feet water. In about five minutes the
buckets had increased the depth the point of their
greatest excavation to ten feet.
1t is cause of real qualification to every friend
OF Richmond that we have progressed thus far in
our scheme of removing the bars of James river
1t is one of the most important improvements our
city undertake-and is indeed indispensable to
our commerce. We are informed that the first la.
Dor of the dredging machine will be upon the Soon
stitutional bar" at Warwick, and are assured
that in few months it viii be entirely removed!
As tit conclusion to circumstance so gratifying
to those present, some of that Rockets hospitality
so well known and SO highly appreciated, was ten
dered and OF course accepted by the company; and
Capt. Haskins playing the part of mine host in his
best style, the conclusion was as sociabIc agreea.
BILE and patriotic could have been desired.