The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1868-11-09
ggHE IafrnovRifRNT OF rnE ONO

EHE Ia4pRovRiKNT OF TnB ONO
Proposition to Dam Back RiUE.-The
United States Engineer Steamer
Tidioute-C Captain G. W. Rowley conn
manding, has been lying at this place
since Saturday morning. The Engineer
party aboard, under Thomas P. Roberts
Assistant United States Civil Engineer,
is engaged making survey OF the
river in this neighborhood, including
both sides of the Island; the object of
which, we believe, is TO collect such in
formation and details as may be useful
in preparing plans for the improve
ments of the river navigation.
tits aweII known fact that Wheeling
Island is now one of the worst points
for low water navigation on the river
boats from below bound for this point
having frequently to discharge their
freight at the Belmont Iron Works,
unable to reach the levee which
is about a half milo above, and
that upward bound navigation is
Impeded by the lshoal at the head
Of the Island. Any plan which looks
to the Improvement of the navigation
of the Ohio, either here or elsewhere,
will be of direct interest to this city,
which is becoming more largely inter
ested in its general trade. Bulky arti-
cles like coal, lumber, iron-ore and
even grim. will always prefer the
cheaper rates afforded by the steamers
and tow-boats. The General Govern
ment having taken the river improve
meut in hand, we hope the work viii be
pushed SO that a material improvement
may be witnessed before long.
Last summer the party on the Tidi-
Quite gagged the fowage of the river
passing Wheeling during its lowest
stage. The quantity per minute on
the east or Wheeling side of the
Island, was stated TO be $4,000 cubic
feet, on the west or Bridgeport side 49,
600 cubic feet per minute, total $50, 600
cubic feet. The usual course on the
river in such case Is to shut up
one side OF the island with low dam
SO as TO confine all the water in a body
the addition of one side to the other
being plainly as much of an improve
ment to the quantity of water and nav
igable depth, at that place, as though
there was rise IN the river. This is
certainly the most advisable plan here,
but we understand after the govern
ment had advertised for stone to build
low dam closing the west chute, a
number OF circumstances from Bridge
port and vicinity were forwarded to
the engineer in charge of the Ohio River
improvements.
In matter like this where indi-
yidual interests are consulted, we
think the interests OF Wheeling and
other points on the river largely en-
gagged in Its commerce. should be made
known.
II other as bad or worse points are
improved, the Bridgeport people would
render our boats at the landing unable
either to get up or down. OF course
any plan for Improvement, leaving
both sides of our island open, would
meet with no objection, but 1t seems in
former experiments where dredging as
the only means through bars (which
are nearly always at falls or ripples)
has been resorted to, the pool and next
ripple above have been SO drained
that they have become shoal. A low
dam at the head of the island over
which RATS could pass at seven or
eight feet STAGE leaving the lower end
Of the island open, would not SO inter
fere with Bridgeport as to make that
place ayeritable inland town.