The Davenport gazette. [volume] (Davenport, Scott Co., Iowa) 1841-185?, 1854-03-30
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improvement Of the Rapids

We have for long time heard much
about the Improvement Of the upper and
lower rapids in the Mississippi. Why does
not somebody say something Of the iHpror-
cd methods Of doing such work. Already
there has been not little money expended
on that work, but as yet to small profit; and
| if the same old processes are to be re-
tried, the money to be expended in the m
dertaking might as well be thrown into the
Mississippi at first, 50 as not to be at suca
pains-taking in order to lose it. No matter
how energetic the contractors may be, We
do not believe the rapids will ever be i'm
proved by any amount Of money Congress
may appropriate, unless new method Of
applying it shall be adopted.
1t is we'll known that there once were
distinctions to navigation at Hurl Gate. in
Long Island Sound. 1t is well known that
vast sums OF money were there expended
almost to no purpose, in indcayors to tear
out those rocks But when the French
Engineer, Mons. Maillfort, came along, he
did the work efiectualy, by more simple
method, in short time, and with compara-
lively little expense. He did not not drsH
at all. He anchored his rude raft over the
rocks, sank his powder in canisters, with
and upon the top Of the rocks. and explod-
ed it with electricity. In this way he
would send off many tons at an expio-
sion.
The simple principle by which he did the
work is the reaction Of the rater. This reac-
ton is SO great that, when it is employed
with all the sudshnness Of gun-powder, it
will rend the hardest rock. This is a sim
pie principle OF natural philosophy. II any
are skeptcal in regard to this power, let
them strike the water suddenly with the
opened palm Of the hand.
Now why not employ this principle in
improving the rapidss Certainly not because
the rocks in the Mississippi are worse to
j blast than those in the Sound. The Sound
rocks were granite. and blue iron stone
/ Those in the Mississippi are limestone
Not because the water in the Sound was
deeper, and the reactire power greater
There but eight feet OF water upon them,
when Mons. Mailifert began. But he soon
made channell Of twenty-five feet. If
water is wanted, do the work in time of Il
flood. Net because there is current IN the
river and not in the Sound. The stiff. foam
| ing, WhirliBg current, was one Of the sour
ces Of danger at Hurl Gate.
| We ask again,why do We not hear some
thing about the nletaod of improving the
rapdss We have no faith in drills for so
gigantic an undertaking. Uncle Sans
purse will run low, before good channel
/ can be made with these.
/ Surely, if a channel is is be made in the
rocky bed of the river, the most etfectual, or
rather the only efectual means to ac-
complsh that object should be restorted to
! at once.
| 1t appears to be the mind Of the people
mos, directly interested that chsnnel i'm
provcmeHt isbest and the government has
sanctioned that opinion, BY ordering it to be
| improved in that manner. Now let themgo-
ahead at once and open the channel, that the
! pertinent Of navigating the rapids through
such channel may be practically tested
And if. as many believe, such mode ofinl-
preyament will not answer the purpose, then
| let us have side cur and locks, which will
be sure and safe improvement, and a..
ways available for the end proposed.