The evening Argus. [volume] (Rock Island, Ill.) 1861-1871, 1867-11-30


known as the cutoff, which we have men,
toned
The most convenient and commanding
point of observation, the main branch of
the river, is the toll-bridge. Commencing
there, and extending one mile above are the
main Rapids of Rock River, having de-
scent of sixteen feet, and destined to afford
one of the finest water powers on American
soil. At the lower extremity of the Rapids,
and a short distance above the toll-bridge,
the main permanent dam across Rock River,
six hundred and fifty feet in length, stretches
in a semi-circular form from the northern
shore across the stream to Nandruff7s Island.
This dam is twelve feet high and twenty-six
feet wide at the base and constructed on an
original plan; is of the strongest character,
and is especially adapted for a very heavy
pressure of water. The two bottom sills,
reaching from shore to shore, are twelve
inches by sixteen in size, and run parallel,
twenty six feet apart, being imbedded into
49, ~L:rc
from one to the other, are framed sills ten
lucQpS anu IOut 4Gct opail. hC
rafters. twenty-eight feet in length, are Sc
curely fastened to the upper main sill, at one
end, and at the other are held aloft and sup
ported by posts twelve feet high and twelve
inches square. The centre is supported by
two rows of posts, one eight feet in height,
and the other four feet. Inside of this frame
work. and on the lower side of the dam, is a
dry wall twelve feet high, eight feet wide at
the base, and four feet wide at the top. The
entire frame work being tightly and heavily
planked, the remainder of the inside is filled
with stone and gravel taken from the bed of
the river above. The plank on the upper
side of the dam is laid ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS on
the lower side, or ''face," is laid upright, and
is four feet in thickness. At the nose, or
upper edge of the dam, spiles are fastened
into the rocky bottom, and spiked fast to the
entirely preventing leakages, and making
the very best dam extant. At its northern
end, and next to the canal which is being
constructed along the shore for considera
| biC o1StsuCt abONS DIiuSoJ 10 u
| fume, furnished with two gates, each four
| feet wide, and six feet deep. This is wise
precaution, by means of which, in case of
an accident, or disarrangement of the dam,
a dry river bed can be again secured. By
sinking Golfer dam where the present tenn
porary one is located, the main stream can
| be again turned into the south branch
| Then, the hume we mention will drain the
bed above the dam, and furnish advantages
for repairing damages, equal to those pos
sessed at the present time.
One hundred feet above the main dam,
and at the upper end of the canal an ice
breaker is now being built. 1t will consist
of heavy timber crib thirty-two feet long
at the base, and sixteen feet wide. but slop-
ing in at the top to width of eight feet,
and length of sixteen feet and filled with
stone. Its necessity is obvious. At the
lower end of the dam, northern side, and
dividing the canal and river, is q massive
embankment one hundred and sixty feet in
width, and three hundred and fifty feet long,
winch will be heavily walled on every side
Between this and the bridge splendid stone
mill is now in process of erection, which will
be fifty-one by sixty-one feet in size, and
five stories in height, beside the fume base
F ment, which is sixteen feet high. The base
ment and one story are already completed
81 and have been built in the most durable
e nanner, with dressed stone, quarried from
t eempty bed of the river. This mill viii
e oe Ola OF the finest structures of the kind
i IN 'his action of the country. 1t viii be
v furnished With FIVE run of stone. and will be
s capable OF trning out three hundred barrels
}. Oh hour on an tverage, per day, and at an
= estimaleo cost O. twenty cents per barrel
/, being forty.three cuts per barrel oheape,
S than that now being rrned out By steam
S Between the mill and lie dam, on the EN-
bankment we have mentieaed, are two val.
liable sites for mills or facnries. Betwee,
;. the mill and embankment, nd STRETCHING
T. from the toll bridges to the ice weaker, ar
excavation has been made for y canal
q | which will be one hundred feet wide, and it
3 banks solidly walled with rubble stone. Fo
the present it will only be completed to d,
r bridge, but at some future time, probabl
f next season, it will be extended across til
e bend to the river, half mile below, where
e lock will be constructed. 1t will contai
t Six feet of water, while from the lock to tn
mississippi river, there are four feet, at al
seasons of the year. This will afford fin
opportunity of reaching the grain of the sec
ton above, by means of barges and toy
boats, and will also open up some of tn
, hnest coal fields of this and Henry counties
ny means of portable tracks, commonl