East Saginaw courier., 1865-09-27
THE RIVER IMPROVEMENT
Channels dt HGllo,c 1sldnd an,
CrOiO Isia1ld COnllketed.
GENERAL PROGRESS or THE WORK.

The surveys and estimates for the
proposed improvement Of the naviga-
ton of Saginaw River, in accordance
with the act authorizing a county loan
for that purpose, having been complet-
ed early in July, the contracts we
stated at the timo-were let by the
Commissioners to Messrs Fox & How
ARD of Chicago. Those gentlemen
took hold of the matter energetically
and set at work as soon as they could
be transferred to the place Of opera
tions, three first class steam dredges,
which, under the direction of the Su-
perintendent, Mr.. s. N. KlMBALL, of
Milwaukee, have made such progress
as gives ample assurance of the speedy
and satisfactory completion of the ex-
'cavation embraced in the plan as
adopted.
, The dredging which was commenced
at the Willow Island bar, July 25th,
was completed some time since, a
channel 100 feet wide and 10 feet
deep having been made through its
entire length. Cubic yards of earth
removed, 3,1S5. This channel is
through clay, and of such character
and directness that there need be no
fear Of future distractions, by aoeu-
mutation or otherwise at that locality.
At Crow Island channel of like
width and depth has been completed,
1887 cubic yards having been exca-
waited. .nasqaiu lo
At the Carrollton bar, at which
point 81, 900 yards of excavation are
required, two machines have been at
work thirteen days, removing each
day an average of over 600 yards of
earth. AT this rate of progress the
work there win be completed in not
far from fifteen days from the date of
this issue. The channel through this
bar will follow the same direction as
the one now used, angling from oppo-
site Litchheld's mill to the narrow cut
at the foot Of the salt works bayou,
and following down the east shore to
tho bend of the river below; the
curve, however, at the cut is to be so
heightened that it will not, as hereto
fore, interfere with. the passage of YES
sells, and the point of the spit on each
side is to be so cut off as to leave am
pie margin for swing in the easy
changeof course required. Theirregu-
larities of tho banks in the narrow
channel Immediately below the curve
are to be dredged away so as to leave
a straight, unobstructed course.
Upon the Saginaw City bar, which
extends from a point nearly opposite
the site of the "big MILL" to the turn
of the bend below, one dredge has been
at work for about two months, and
has the excavation, in all amounting
to 10000 yards, more than half COM
pleted.
Over the Salina bar, where, accord
ing to the estimate, $4,000 yards are
required to be removed, q temporary
channel has been cut; the main work,
however, it is probable viii have to be
put over until another season.
On the bar opposite East Saginaw
nothing has been done as yet, the two
.dredges now engaged on the Carroll
ton bar will, however, commence op-
erations thereon as soon as they COM
plete the excavation upon which they
are now engaged. The old channel
was cleaned out early in the season SO
that it has answered the ends of COM
merce up to the present time as it
doubtless will until the new one is
made.
The new channel as decided upon,
starting from near the footo Johnson
street, follows the line of the docks to
the South west corner Of the Holland
mill wharf, making from thence an
easy angle in the direction of Litch-
fields mill on the west side, to deep
water. Excavation estimated at 29,-
500 yards. The channel along the
line of the wharyes ought unquestion-
ably to be made wider than is at
present contemplated, to give the requi-
site room for winding and passing of
vessels This matter we hope will
receive the attention of the Commis-
sioners as well in regard to other
points as TO this in case like necessities
exist.
Five thousand dollars of the loan
have been appropriated for tho i'm
provement of the navigation of Bad
River, and the Commissioners stand
ready to assist Bay County in improv-
ing the navigation over the outer bar
to the extent contemplated at the out
set, whenever the people of that
county devise means to raise their just
proportion of the funds required.