The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1868-01-25
4ilhmond lispattt,
SATURDAY.......JANUARY Is, 1868,
sObstruc tons in James River.


The Chamber Of Commerce, In look
ing after the interests Of this city
so much neglected heretofore oy our
pcople--have directed their asten''on
to the obstructions in James rlVeE' a
committee. consisting of Messrs. DAVID !.
Bu.R- L. D. CReSsHAw, and ISAAC DAvEN-
PORT. Jr,. was appointed to ascertain the
extent of these distractions and the cost
of their removal. We present below an
abstract of their report just made to the
Chamber:
Commencing at City Point, the commit
tee continued their investigation up the.
river. They report the first obstruction
in the journey upward to be at Aiken's
landing, caused by the remains Of the
United States military bridge-where the
opening is narrow, and the channel gradu-
ally filling up.
At Trent's Reach, where a number OF
old vessels were sunk by the United States
military authorities, the channel is also
narrow and dangerous. The city dredge-
boat has been at work there, and the chan
mel is fifteen feet deep at high tide, but the
passage is much troubled for want of
room.
At Kingston or the Graveyard Reach,
just above Cox's ferry, the channel is mar
row and passage dangerous, because OF the
vessels that were by military order sunken
there.
Next comes Drewry's Bluff, where the
distractions are more dangerous and trou-
blesome than any where else from the ex-
tent of the distractions placed there by
the Confederates.
At Wilton the remains of an old bridge
are to be removed, and at Warwick more
supken vessels restrict the channel and
cause trouble in navigation. At the same
point are also piles that were driven for .
bridge, causing some difficulty.
At tho island just below Rockets are
cribs Of rock on which schooner was re-
Gently wrecked.
Opposite the coal-yards, on the south
side Of the river, are loose rock dropped
overheard in loading vessels, which give a
great deal of trouble, while the wrecks OF
the steamers Patrick Henry and West Point
in the harbor at Rockets are seriously in
the way Of navigation.
On good tides vessels drawing twelve
feet can now come up to Rockets, and
when these obstacles are removed, vessels
drawing thirteen and half feet can easily
reach the whaives there.
The depth Of water at full tide on Har-
rison's bar is sixteen feet, and at Goose
Hill flats, opposite jamestown, it is still
more, and this depth may be obtained by
proper dredging up to Richmond.
Tho committee state that Mr.. Hum
PnREYs, Collector of this port, directed his
attention to these distractions, and was
informed that the matter had been refer
red in July, 1866, to Colonel LOOMS, and
that as soon as he reported upon the sub
iect measures would be taken to remove
the difficulties complained of. Since then
the Collector has frequently repeated his
applications without success, and he has
not heard that any report has been made
to the Government on the subject. Yet
the committee hope that the work of re-
moval of these distractions will be under
taken upon further representations.
The committee lay down the object de-
sired to be attained to be the removal of
the distractions and the deepening of the
channel so that vessels drawing sixteen
feet can come up to Richmond on full
tides. This would accommodate the largest
coasters and also the vessels which trans
port our tobacco and flour to foreign ports.
This they estimate can be accomplished
with an expenditure Of $4,000, sum ex-
ccedingly small in comparison with the
Importance and value of the improvement.
The committee, however, express the
opinion that we can only hope for this sum
by an appropriation from Congress.
The Chamber received the report, and
took some initiatory action upon it, OF
which further report will be made.