The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-02-17


large rocks, measuring about 100 cubic
yards, also twenty-four lighter loads Of
small rock and gravel, about $50 cubic
yards; one covered lighter thirty-six feet
long, filled with sand, which was lying on
the bottom directly in the channel. We
also found an anchor weighing about 600
pounds with fifteen fathoms of chain, one
blade of screw wheel weighing 400 pounds
living alonside of large rock, where some
steamer had evidently struck and broken
it off,
The result of our labors at this particu-
lar point is the attainment Of thirteen feet
of water instead of eleven, as then existed,
and this will not fill up again.
We have removed from the shoal grounds
opposite the coal-yard ten very large rocks.
Also, three larger rocks from the channel
Just below where the wreck of the West
Point laid. rs 81 :
These rocks vary in size and shape; some
are nearly square, others somewhat round,
while many arc very ragged, sharp-pointed,
and dangerous to navigation. The sizes
vary from eight fee! long by six and a half
feet wide and four feet deep to four by
three by two feet. Altogether We have re-
moved over 1900 tons of rock from the
points as stated.
Your committee determined to take ad-
vantage of the usual low stage Of the water in
midsummer to make an attempt to remove
the wreck of tue steamer West Point, which
was sunk in the middle of the harbor in a
fleshct during the winter of 1868.
This, as your honorable body arc
taking, especially as our predecessors
had reported to the Council in the month
of September, 1867, that it would require
an appropriation of $4,000 to remove it.
However, in the face of prediction of fail
urc and heavy cost, we weRt-to work. We
first secured the services ofsProfessor NAL
lifert, of New York, who was then aud Is
still engaged in clearing out the passage
through the solid rock at Hell-Gate, near
that city. With his valuable assistance We
broke the wreck into several sections by
the use OF heavy charges taf, powder con-
fined in cans-and placed in the most avail
,ablesplaces.. ga9s with. the dredge and
addition OF heaYy Chains, piece by piece
raised the entire wreck and placed it on
me, mainland. In twenty-seyen working
was not vestige of the wreck remaining
where it had laid so long, not only seri-
Gus obstruction to navigation, but the cause
of bar or delta forming in the middle OF
the river, to say nothing Of the very great
influence it exertcd in causing the bars
lower down the river to fill up more rapidly
than they otherwise would have done in
consequence of its having proved break
water to the current in the centre of the
river.
1t gives us great pleasure to report fur
thcr that we realize sufficient from mate
rial saved to fully cover the expense of -re-
lnoval, and that the wreck Of the West
Point was entirely removed in less than
one month without an expense of one dol
lar to the city, and where she laid, with q
sand-bank heaped about her to the level Of
the water, vessels drawing thirteen feet can
now pass over in safety. We would men
ton at this particular point, after raising
the wreck. we removed 1928 cubic yards
Of sand.
We have had in employ aboard the dredge
an experienced diver, who has facilitated
our work to considerable degree. In fact,
in many instances he was indispensable, as
we were compelled to use him in singing
large rock with chains at the bottom OF the
river preparatory to raising them, or IN
drilling holes in them in which to place a
bolt to secure purchase.
70 give On idea of the size Of some OF
these rocks we would state that in some
instances, in consequence of their size, we
were unable to raise them above the surface
of the water, when we had to tow the ma
chine in to shore, where they were deposited,
and can now be seen at any low tide.
The greater portion of them bear evident
marks of having been struck by vessels
passing up and down the channel besides
there being plain marks across the top OF
them. We have found many pieces OF
copper, just as they were torn from the
bottom of vessels, formed into fine plaits.
In addition to the work named, we have
done a large amount of general dredging.
4 +
The machine and tug are now both in far
better condition than when we took charge
of them, and in the machinery department
are supplied with many duplicates so that
there may be no loss of time in consequence
of unexpected breakage.
we nave tSluDllSueu d OlaCkSmltn SuUp
aboard, with man in charge, whereby q
large portion of the necessary repairs are
done with but small expense, and, in fact,
many delays and breakages anticipated. 1t
will be necessary soon torepair the dumping
lighters, which we have deferred as long
as possible to avoid expense. This, how
ever, will not be matter Of very great
moment.
The dredge will, before long, require
some repairs about hershull, as she leaks
some little, and some portions are decayed.
The machinery is in good working order.
The tug, also, is in good running condition.
Before closing this portion Of our report
your committee regard that especial
mention should be made of Captain
Cunningham, who has. been in chief
command of the working of both dredge
and tug, and Of Mr.. Clark Scull, Chief
engineer of the dredge, as we'll as those
under their immediate charge, for
the manner in which one and all
have performed all the duties required of
them, though they have very frequently
been detained, to accomplish important