Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1856-04-03
EVENING STAR.
LOCAL INTELLIGENCE.

made in compliance with a resolution of the
the 18th ultimo, calling upon him to comnu-
nica'e any information in the Typographical |
Bureau concerning distractions to the navi- |
CATION Of the Potomac river within the District |
of Columbia, and the expediency OF measures |
for removing the same; which was ordered to |
be printed and referred to the Committee on |
the District of Columbia
The Secretary transmits an elaborate re- |
port from the Typographical Bureau, showing |
causes of obstruction and means of removal,
brief extract from which is given.
The distractions to the navigation consist,
in general, of an extension Of fat lying in
front Of the city of Washington, dividing the
river into two channels, and which, from the
. nature Of the laws controlling and fixing the
regimen OF rivers, must always remain, but
subject to certain notifications, which artii-
cial works or time may effect. The existence
of this fiat dates as far back as the existence
of authentic surveys, and since 1909 has been
taken advantage Of to connect the Maryland
and Virginia shores by means of a bridge.
well known law exists in relation to all
streams whose sides and bottoms are subject
to abrasion. 1t is, in general terms, that the
depth varies inversely as the width of the
stream. Keeping this law in mind. we see
that in front Of W ashington there must neces-
sarily exist shoal similar to an island, hav-
ing distinctly marked channels on either side,
or general shallOwness of water, admitting
of no navigation whatever. This shoal or OBJ
struction has always existed, and the more
completely and perfectly it divides the river
the more distinct, well-defned, and useful
will be the two channels formed by it. In
fact, could 1t be elevated into an island, sub.
ject to no overflow during high tides or fresh
cts, its effect would be still more beneficial,
for the width of stream would be further re-
duced and its depth correspOndingly increased.
The records Of the river are not numerous
and do not extend back in an authentic form
TO beyond 1884, at which time minute survey
extending from Georgetown to Alexandria was
made under Lieut.. Col Kearny. The river
was again examined in 1887 and In IS49,
minutely surveyed from Georgetown to the
Long bridge, &c.
Assuming, then, that the extensive shoal in
front of the city is necessary to their being
any well defned channel in this part of the
river, only such notifications of its form will
be alluded to as it is thought have been or
may be caused by artificial means
The improvements indicated are deepen
ing Of the Georgetown channel opposite the
end Of the shoal extending from Analostan
island, general widening of the channel on
the Washington side. and an increase Of the
volume of the water flowing through it
The two improvements could probably be
accomplished by the works now indicated, to
wit:
LIST. Remove Easby's wharf and trim off the
point. as this has tendency to defect the
current to the opposite side.
I'd. Construct a cutwater at a suitable dis
lance above the Long bridge, its sides point
ing towards the two extremities Of the cause.
way. ard so placed that it shall regulate the
quantity of water which it is desirable shall
dow down each channel.
81. Remove about two thirds of the cause
way nearest to the Washington side, leaving
only so much Of it every hundred feet as may
serve for piers or foundations for piers to a
wooden bridge; thus, by giving an increased
waterway, facilitating the free flow of water
through that channel.
4th The Potomac being a tidal stream re-
move such shoals and widen such parts of the
channel, both above and below the bridge as
now tend to arrest the ascent of the tidal wave.
The report states that no certain estimates
can be given for improvements below the
bridge, but that an approximate estimate can
be made for Easby's wharf, the cut-water
above the bridge, removing portion of cause
way, erecting bridge TO replace it, and the ne
cessary dredging at and above the causeway
line:
For the purchase and removal of Easby's
wharf. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS . coo
Constr uction OF pile cut-water... q, 600
Removal Of causeway. 5000
Repairing causeway by bridge. Is, 400
Constructing piers to bridge. 1900
Drejge boat and seows............... 10 900
Working same for two years. 20, 900
S1O7,4OO
The report states that the expense of i'm
proving below the bridge would be much less
in proportion than for improving above. as it
would be confined to constructing the cutwater
and dredging, which is estimated to require
S64 600, making total Of Sill 400 for the
whole work.
MEETING IN THE SEVENTH WARD.-At the
adjourned meeting of the citizens Of this ward
hal1 Let HaH
to consider matters of general interest to the
ward, George W. Garrett presided, and l. r,
Holmead was appointed Secretary. COM
mittee Of which 5. Y. Alice was chairman,
reported a series of resolutions in which earn
est and energetic grounds were taken against
the proposed removal of the Long Bridge, and
an able array Of arguments and facts present
ed, going to show that the navigation of the
river had not been impeded by the Long
Bridge, but that the impedimsnts had existed
previous to its erection. The resolutions claim
that the Long Bridge affords the most conys-
nient and the shortest route between the North
and the South that the distance from the city
Post office In Washington TO AleXandria is FIVE
and three quarter miles ria the Long Bridge
and ten and a half miles between the same
points By the way Of the Three Sisters, -
above Georgetown, anu that any material de-
parture from the present locality of the bridge
must sacrihe the welfare Of the greater num-
Der for the benefit Of the lesser. ~
resolution introduced by DR.. J. E. Nor
gan, was also adopted, declaring. on the expe-
rienee Of those residing in the ward, that the
"Aats" in the vicinity of the Long Bridge
were not prejudicial to health. The crowded
condition of our columns prevent us from pub
fishing the resolutions in full
The subject Of market upon the Island
was discussed, and the chairman was instruct
ed to confer with the Aldermen of that ward
and urge them to aid and facilitate the pas
sage Of bin through the city councils for that
purpose.
After authorizing the chairman to issue
call for subsequent NEE ings upon application
Of FIVE citizens Of the ward and requesting
the city papers to publish these proceedings,
the meeting Adjourned SINE die.
CENTRE MARKET Tho market was not
yery well supDlied this morning nrobabIy