The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1870-12-06
s.ues RIVER Improvements-An fnse-
resting Report from tho Council
observation-disclosures Canal 20 be
>x.Ssn Vay1r.nI1Yc DC.

i -
Made Nayigabic. tfc.
The following report was presented to
the City Council at the meeting last even
ing:
RICHMOND, Va, Dec. 8, 1870.
To the Council of the City Of Richmond :
conference.-the Joint Committee on the
Improvement Of James River respectfully
submit the following account OF their opera
lions since their last report on the 9th of
September, no report having been rendered
| for the months OF September and OCTOBER
| for the reason that the time was occupied
solely In completing the repairs on the tug,
dredge, and scows, and getting all the ma
chinery in readiness for active operations.
In our last report we laid before you the
plan of operations We had determined on,
In conjunction with the Government eDgi-
neers, for carrying out the improvements
committed to our care. Those plans nave
been somewhat changed, or rather the COM
mencement of their execution has been de-
layed, by the memorable flood OF october
1St. The great freshet which then occur
red In the river swept away the barrier
| that had been thrown across the opening
of the Dutch-gap canal, so that the whole
volume of the swollen stream swept through
the canal, deepening and widening it, While
| the debris and sediment was deposited be-
yond its mouth in Trent's Reach, filling the
channel in some places to depth OF three
feet. The result was an immediate dlsar-
rangement of the commercial Interests OF
the city in consequence of the New l ork
steamers and large vessels being prevented
| from reaching it without lighterfng their
careoes or waiting for the height of tides.
1t became question, therefore, for i'm
mediate and serious consideration. whether
we should again close the mouth Of the
| Dutch-gap. canal, and thus throw the whole
volume of the river through Trents Reach,
and dredge out the bars and deposits that had
been formed, or should proceed to make the
canal available for navigation. The Govern
ment engineers, learning Of this change IN
| the river, came forward with commendaple
alacrity and Immediately decided to take
advantage Of the action OF nature, ana as
sumed rs portion OF their work 10 open
the Dutch-gap canal, throw the main cur
rent of the river through it, and make it
the general channel of navigation.
AS this undertaking would require con-
siderable time, and made it fmpolitic to
again close the mouth Of the canal, it be-
came of vast Importance that the deposits
which had been formed in Trent's Reach
should be Immediately sufficiently removed
to permit unimpeded navigation. We there
fore largely increased the force Mt work on
the repairs of the dredge and scows, and
on the 18th of November had them so far
completed that they proceeded to the point
Of operations.
They have been steadily at work since
that date with most commendable results,
having completed one clear cut through the
new distractions twenty live feet in width
to depth of fourteen feet, and now work
ing on the second cut. They have removed
thus far about four thousand cubic yards of
sand. Navigation is therefore now unim-
peded for.all classes of vessels that usually
come to our port.
In view of the opening of the Dutch-gap
canal, 1t would be useless expenditure for
us to open the channel in Tren's Reach to
its full width. We propose, therefore,
making the cut only TO width of fifty feet,
giving 1t, however, full depth of fourteen
feet, which will permit the passage of all
vessels that can cross the shoal points near
fully completed by the 18th inst, and shall
then proceed with the execution Of our
plans as detailed in our report of Septem-
Der 9th.
In regard to the progress of the improve
ments taken charge of by the Government
engineers, you will be pleased to learn that
they have awarded a contract for removing
so much of the wrecks and distractions at
Drewry's Bluff and other points in the river
as will give an unobstructed channel
through them $50 feet in width and
Prof. B. Mallifert. of New York, began work
on the 10th of November, and is now ac
lively engaged in his operations. They
have also awarded contract for opening
and dredging the Dutch-gap canal to the
American Dredging Company, Of Philadel-
phia, who are to begin their work on the
lst of March and complete it in three
months. And thus do the difficulties and
obstacles which have so long impeded the
commercial growth OF our city promise to
vanish before the appliances OF science and
energy.
Your committee deem it proper to fur
Their report that we have contracted for
new and powerful dredge, which is now
pany, of Philadelphia, and will probably
be completed, to be delivered here by the
18th proX. With two good dredges, and
the further appliances we have in view, we
hope to fulfill the most sanguine eXpecta-
tons that may be entertained from our
work.
We have also approved plan submitted
to us by our engineer, Capt. K. d. Minor,
for depositing the material dredged from
the river. This plan was formed by him
| after full consultation with the Government
| engineers in regard to their plans and in
tentions, and contemplates the building of
work, in proper localities, within which the
dredged material may be deposited, and
thus be effectually removed from all chance
| of again washing INTO the channel. We
have contracted for pile-driver, and have
now under consideration the plans for pro-
per scows and dumping cars, which as soon
| as adopted will be contracted for, that no
| delay may occur in the progress of the
work.
We also have the honor to report that
under the terms Of the ordinances the COM
mittee have filled the vacancy occasiOned
by the death OF Thomas Faherty. Esq, by
the election of Capt. George ". Allen, and
the vacancy Occasioned by the transfer Of
Capt. Allen to represent the Council by the
election of Garrett L. Watson, Esq.
We cannot close this report without re-
ferring to the active interest manifested by
Col. Craighil and his assistants in the i'm
provements which so much concern us.
Not only have they taken an interest in the
work committed to their charge by the Gov
eminent, but they seem to appreciate as
fully as ourselves the vast import of the
work, not to our local prosperity alone,
but in its ulterior results as link in the
great central line Of transportation. We
have reason to believe that he will present
q report to Congress, now about to meet,
in which will be demonstrated the entire
feasibility of the full extent of the improve
ments we have desired, with strong recon-
mendations for liberal appropriations from
the Government to carry them out. 1t be-
hooves us, therefore, to spare no efforts in
our own portion of the work, and also to
noe auerp Influence within orr mower To