The Van Buren press., 1869-07-20
From Lille Rock Gazette
Arkansas River-Its Survey-Landings
and DistanceS.

ouu OlsttHcfS,
The survey of the Arkansas river was Or
ganizel under the orders of Col. j. n. Ma
comb. This officer has charge of the snag-
boat operations Oh all the western rivers. The
government having determined to improve
the Arkansas river, Information in regard to
navigation was regarded as essential tor the
Judicious expenditure ofthe sum appropriated
for that purpose. No satisfactory maps or
data of accuracy exist in the archives of the
go'ernment from which intelligent conclu.
sions in regard to the river could be drawn.
The survey just concluded will supply these
deficiencies. With unusual prompttude the
work of improvement has followed the work
Of survey; and light-draught but powerful
snag-boat, built expressly for the river,is now
engaged in removing snags from the channel.
Having visited every part of the river be-
tween the mouth and the head Of commercial
navigation, the operations of the snag boat
can be directed more efficiently by reason of
the knowledge obtained by actual observation.
The survey will supply more minute data for
the same object.
A careful survey of the right bank of the
river was made with transit, and of the left
bank with solar compass, both lines being
connected oy triangulation, and both careful
ly chained by parties working independently.
The river was sounded with q fifteen foot rod,
and greater depths were sounded with the
lead line. Levels were taken to reduce these
soundings to uniform depth, and also to de-
termine the inclination of the water surface.
Gauge rods were placed at convenient inter-
walls. a correct series ofobservations ofthsse
rods will enable pilot entering tue river to
predict the average stage of tho water at any
point above. When the surveying party pass
ed Moore's Rocks the depth of the water was
about eight feet, and the guage at White river
cutoff, after series of observations have
been taken, would enable the pilot to know
whethor he could pass them safely.
The party just returned from above appears
to have passed through many vicisitudes.
The smallpox broke out among them the af
ter they reached Fort Gibson. Prompt meas
ures saved the lives of many of the number
and prevented the spreading of lhe disease.
All the men affected with the contagion were
placed in camp, at a distance OF about half
mile from the survey boat. Clothing and bed
ding was burnt and the boat thoroughly
cleansed and fumigated. AS the survey ad-
vanced the sick were able to follow after and
pitch their own tents. \ yawl was supplied
to transport them.
Having weathered this disease, the sirrtey
passed in safety the rocks, bars, snags and
other dangers which, it had been predicted,
would be fatal. Many facts have been col.
lectcd relating to the resources of the valley
and the character of the navigation. The
country through which the party passed is
represented rs very fertile, exhibiting the
same geological features as the western part
Of Arkansas bordering upon the river.
Coal was everywhere to be found along the
line of the survey, and limestone of good
quality was found at two points above Web
bcr's Falls, in positions convenient for quar-
rying and boating.
Coal pits and salincs are worked in the In
dian Territory for local purpose only To-
bacco, corn, and cotton are cultivated on
small scale by the Indians but the cotton
crop is not so certain as in the lower part of
the valley. Peaches grow abundantly, and
the soil is well adapted for apples, grapes and
other fruits. Wild grapes grow luxurantly
The river bottoms and boundless prairics af-
ford fine grazing at all seasons.
Ihe surveying party arrived in this city on
Tuesday last and their little boat was taken
in tow by the Ozark on the day following
She will be carried to Cincinnati, and the
crew discharged. We express the hope that
the government will have her sent back In
the fall, to make the survey from this point 10
the mouth Of the river.
The following list Of distances has beer
furnished, which will prove interesting to
farmers and planters along the river-to
stcamboatmen and others who feel an interest
in the Arkansas river, and the country
through which it flows:
DISTANCES FROM FORT GIBSON TO FORT SMITH.