Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1868-01-08
the greatest depth Of he chan,

mel being only seventy feet, profile uni-
form, and soil favorable, current not near
so great, by at least one-third, as at the
foot Of Poplar street, or Titus cotton
she'd | would recommend that the frsss
jetiy be constructed at this point Cor the
protection Of the bank, or preventing
the caving TO Jefferson street. In l847,
the United States Navy Department built
pier-head near this point, running into
deep water. II was constructed OF three
parallel rows of double piling, braced at
the top with stringers and counter braces,
without filling the structure with rock or
other heavy material. Its strength was
sufficient to resist the great pressure
against it during high water, and il was
not until the piling rotted off that the
caving below commenced. The remains
OF the old pierhead still exist, showing
conclusively that permanent works can
be constructed upon the river, when the
slope of the shore is not too great, and
of uniform profile. Wolf river offers an
additional obstruction to the current Of
the Mississippi, and will materially assist
"break-water" in diverting the cur
rent from the shore. lam confident that
with the proper construction Of break.
water" at this point, we can prevent
further caving below.
As the progress of the caving of the
river bank continues, the available area
for the reception of merchandise is de-
creased, and would recommend that the
unpaved portion of the wharf between
Court and Union streets be put under
contract as soon as practicable. AS the
demand for wharfage area will eventu-
ally increase with the future growth Of
the city, and must necessarily be ex-
tended southwark, the established gradi-
ents of Union, Beal, Hotel, Mccall and
Gayoso streets, west of Shelby, are made
to conform with said probable future ex-
tension, having regular slope from the
west side of Shelby street to the line of
high water.
STREET RAILWAY.
The City Engineer, after remarking
the energy and enterprise under adverse
circumstances, which characterized the
street railwayin Memphis, expresses the
opinion that mo street railway, con-
Quoted even with the most strict economy
and good management, can be operated
on the soil peculiar to this city, with
profit to the proprietors, or general
benefit to the public" Up to the present
time 6 64.l0O miles of railway have been
constructed, distributed as follows
Main street, l7-l00 miles; Poplar
street, S7-l0O; Beal street. l 20.l00
fernando street 40-l00-all save Main
street being single track.
WATER WORKS.
The surveys, in charge of competent
engineers, are in progress, under the
supervision of competent Board Of
Water Works Commissioners. They
will soon be completed.
STREET EXTENSIONS.
During 1867 surveys were made and
nlats nranared fas the extension; 81 t tue
following streets, none of which, how
ever, have yet been opened: Fourth
street, from Court to Madison; Gayoso
street, from Desoto to Wellington; Her
nando street, from Union to Beal ;
Lauderdale street, from Poplar to
Adams; Monroe street, from Wellington
to Memphis and Charleston Railroad ;
Robson street, from present terminus
to Boundary avenue; Talbot street,
from St. Martin to Causey; Washington
street, from present terminus to Boun-
Diary avenue; Wellington street, from
Union to Beal; Yates or Market avenue,
to be widened from Washington to
Adams.
BRIDGES.
The sum of $347O was expended re.
pairing city bridges last year. Nearly
all are reported in good condition.
GAS LIGHTING.
The present number of public lamps il
33l. The cost of lamps, posts, cleaning
and gas in 1867 was SIT, 434 70. Thirty
two lamps were erected last year.
PUBLIC CIsTERNs.
There are ffty-four public cisterns in
the city, with total capacity of 3O,2s0
barrels, or LII, 800 gallons.
PAYMENTS.
The total number of square yards oil
Nicolson pavement constructed in 1861
was 1908 % at cost of 1921 ,587 81,
of which the citys proportion was $751;
1856 SO. The total number of square
yards of stone pavement constructed was
81 ,97l rs, of which IA, 1874 Sc yards we're
on Front street The remainder was laid
on alleys. The whole cost was $l0l,'
72l 80, of which the city proportion wa'
$3S, 1888 40. The total cost of the Nicol'
son and stone pavements was 1891 90
city's proportion included.
OF the Nicolson pavement, the follow
ing streets have been completed;
Jefferson street, from Front to Charles
ton avenue; old Madison street, from
bayou to Charleston avenue; Charleston
avenue, from Adams to Madison. The
contract price for the above work was,
for Jefferson street and Charleston ave-
nue., s. As per square yard, and for Old
Madison street, S. 40. For new curb,
81 70 per foot, payable to the contrac-
tors in time bonds of the city. The in
dividual bills are payable to the City Tax
Collector, but in the other contracts the
payment is to be made to the contrac-
tors.
The following streets are under con-
tract, but only Main street is being