New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1856-01-04
DEPTH or THE NIAGARA RIVER.

"The depth Of the Niagara rver under The sGspen-
sion Bridge IL estimated by the engineers to be 100
| feet. This believe, is deeper than any other
rapidly running stream in the world Such are the
present dimensions Of story which has been gong
"the rounds Of the press with gradually increasing
proportions, for months. II seems pity 10 deprve
the public organ OF wonder Of food 50 congenal TO s
appetite yet we think best TO -ay what We can to
stop the deepening Of this great chasn, let II should
endanger the unity Of planet, and separate New
York and Canada by and by into two different hems-
pheres
We do not believe that there is any great depth OF
water under the Suspension Bridge, probably not over
twenty-five or thirty feet. The sudden change from
smooth 10 rough water is irrecoscilable with the
idea Of uniform deep river which would produce a
nearly equnbe descent from the Falls to the Whri-
pool Speh a sudden break from nearly level cur
rent to foaming rapid with conspicuous declivlty
in IL surface, could exist in river hundreds
of feet deep than belt Of surf could form the
Gulf Stream
The whole appearance OF the place indicates that
the comparatively quiet water above is held back by
an obstacle near the bridge, over which the stream
breaks and rolls in huge rapidor rift 1t - Ike
the flow of any river over bar Tor over deeply
submerged dam; and in this case, the dam u formed
by rocky lodges crossing the river at this point, which
have prevented its waters from wearing its channel as
deeply here above. And says the best authority
on the subject Professor Hall, in his report on the
western geological district of the State, page 3ss:
AT one place about a mile below the Falls, and
where the channel Il narowest the stream ghdes with
comparaye stiffness, while below, where the channel
i broader, il is driven with great velocity.
These appearances have their causes IN the geological
structure of the place. Below the whirlpool there are
no hard strata in the bed OF the river consequently
the channel is deeper, and the water more tranquil
than where such rocks exist At the whirlpool, and
above that place, the hard sandstone layer IL at or
near the level Of the river, and consequently the chan
mel is not worn so deep. Again. after this hard mass
has dipped below the surface the bed OF the Ver Is
excavaed in softer rocks, hence the narrow channel
and smooth water mile below the Falls. Near the
Falls the higher beds of sandstone and the limestone
of the Clinton group approaches the level OF the rver
aud thus causes wider shallow channel and more
tumultuous water.
This is certainly q perfectly simple explanation OF
these features of the river supported by facts plainly
visible to the eye of any practical observer.
The hard sandstone which forms the riffs about
the whirlpool and bridge dips deeper and deeper until
when nearly at the Falls it is perhaps Is or 100 feet
below the surface of the river of which It probably
forms the floor This part of the river, characterized
by its boiling and eddying yet nearly level flow, mag
therefore be TO- 90 90 feet deep. Immediately be-
low the Falls the Clinton lmestOnes and subacent sand
stone 80 or 40 feet thick and very hard and massive
form still stronger floor TO receive the pouring tor
rent, which runs off swiftly and roughly.
We know it is said that line and plummct show
far greater depth for this part OF the river but they
are very unreliable in rapid water the lead Is carried
away more or less, and the line swept out into long
loops and bows. Moreover, may allow for the UNI
yersal propensity to exaggeraon and mysticism which
makes all deep lakes, rivers and seas botomlesS' we
have sounded ponds reported, and have found
but five or ten fathoms, and we believe the Niagara
above the whirlpool could its current be stlled would
not require very much longer line to find its bottom