The Hawaiian gazette., 1871-07-05

Z
Lee was due probably to the simplicity Of the means
he Invariably adopted to attain even the most rran-
tic results. As an evidence Of this fact, we would
call to mind something that our people have never
known, and the people Of s. Louis, those most ln-
tcrested, have likely forgotten. II will perhaps be
remembered that many years ago, the people Of 81.
Louis was terrified at the prospect Of being Isolated
by the action Of the river eurrent which up to that
time had been striking its banks, il swsyed nom
side 10 side, almost In frout Of the city But BY
washing away The banks on the Illinois side thereby
changing the angles Of lmpingement, the. stream
commenced to gradually wear away the soil below
St. Louis, making It's way toward the American bot
toms an alluval track aud would have anally reach
cd and emptied into a creek some ave miles below
the city, diverting the river aud leaving 81. Louis
an inland town.
The City Council and the General Government
made large appropriations, hired the best engineers,
built dykes to ind them useless, and we're finally
obliged TO admit that II there was an engineering
skill sufficient TO avert the calamity It could not Be
found. General Scott was consulted to know II he
could not recommend some one capable OF grappling
the problem. The General replied: 81 know OF
but one ofieer-a Brevet Captain on my staff be Is
young. but II the work can be done he can do in
Brevet Captain Robert Z. Lee arrived in st. Louis
and went to work Quietly and unos,entatiously
he prepared his plans, drew his charts, calculated
the force and directions Of the currents, examined
all the discarded plans aud determined on his course
All this took considerable time. because, as he 70
Marked "too much Is at stake to trust 70 any uneer-
tain agencies, Or leave anything to fortuuen So
noselessy were his preparations carried on that the
citizens began to murmur at the inactivity Of tho
u a~,e.a -. A.
last the city withdrew its appropriation. through
all this accumulated dissatisfaction, Captain Lee
pursued the even tenor Of bis way, merely remark
ing, when the appropriation wss Withdrawn BY the
city, They have a right to do as they win with
their own; do not own the city The Government
sent me here officer OF the army to do \ certain
work and l shall do IT,"
The careful preparations were at last completed,
aud everything in readiness. number OF fat boats
were prepared, some partially laden with stones.
others fully, according to the depth Of water In
which they were to sink, moored with strong ropes
from EACH so that they could be cast loose to the
current at time, by one stroke or an axe, and
plug in each arranged that at given signal all
the plugs could be withdrawn simultaneously A
man stood ready at each line with Ratchet TO cut
loose, watch in his hand, with the hour, minute
anu seCouu luulNAttuf NAtu pun plusA
The signal to "cut loose" was the firing Of the
captains pistol, which being given as with one ae-
cord every rope wss cut, and the boats exactly as
calculated, swung out toward their proper and des-
tined places Curving at first, by the greater force
Of the current, so accurately had every ounce Of
pressure been ascertained and provided for, that
when every plug was Withdrawn the boats vert
down in perfect line right angles to the current
n-,, A.. o..
tain Lee paid an early visit to see II all was safe
All eas safe including the city CT St. Louis Day
after day, brush, stones, etc, sunk until the
dyke thus formed reached the surface Of the water
To-day cross the same structure, TO the exist
enee Of which proud city owes its greatness, 81
lent monument to the genius OF one who, though
dead, "still lives"
The whole secret Of Lees success In this ease
were simply these: He knew and made use Of The
well known rule in hydrostrstics, that the angle at
which the water left an obstruction would be ex-
seily equal to the angle at which It struck or in
other words philOsophieally speaking, the angle Of
incidence would be equal to the angle Of refacton
he further knew from experiments already tried.
that at any other than right angle the water would
cut out and wash away any distraction that he
might place there From these simple premises.
be overcome, he succeeded in what all the rest had
failed in, BY simple that amer success every
one could have done 1t IL had they thought a mo-
meut," and in spite Of the opposition Of the city
government, press and people The Rsp,3lioan,
however. managed to say, after the work was CON-
pIeted that the talented young engineer has sue
eeeded in diverting the current Of the river, not
sithstanding the fears entertained that such would
not be the case"
This is but one notable instance Of Lees success,
whether grappling with 4 military or scientific
problem; whether planning the saving or reduction
Of city. Whether In peace or in war, bis meaus
were simple, direct speedy and eieaeious a. the
results Of his efforts successful eadurasls and
giorious.-iSaH AHf0Hio (Tszas) Herald
.THK TELEGRAPH Is JAPAx.-The electric .els-
graph has been introduced into japan aud It's work
ings are exciting the greatest wonder among the
magnates Of the empire The Japan Nal gave an
smnsing account, some time ago. Of the trial Of
field telegraph (Which had been presented to the Nj
kado By the American GogeTnment) 10 the Imperial
presence: BT the Mikado's desire the spparains
was erected in the grounds Of the palace, ter
minus being in bis Malesiy's private study and the
ofner in the pleasure pavilion, which stasds il the
centre Of the marble gardens. where assembled
three princes Of the blood, the prime minister and
host Of members Of the pTiTy council to receive and
answer the Imperial messages Tbs working Of The
wires was entrusted 70 two JspaHese, and when all
was ready message arrived Al the pavilion aun0un-
cling the presence Of the Mfkado 81 the terminus IN
the study. To this announcement most respect
f1l message was returned, thanking his Majesty for
bis gracious presence Shortly after the message
zane. "Ths Emperor Is highly pleased with The
zonderful Western lnvsnfion." snd then snneiiafs-
j. Afterwards, .. Who In the pavilion. and what
sre you doing| To this an answer vas returned,
giving the names Of those present, and sayog tksS
we're awaiting, with profound vsnerat0n, his Hsjss-
Us orders. To their intense embarrassment ths
lnsEsr was retarDed. ''Ieiegrapb % a. something
lmusinz" As may be imagined, this nessi zs caus-
u the greatest CONSERVATION among the eO1rtisrs
How we're they 10 . moment to eo5jBrs up anything
hat would be amusing, and a. the sane tine, res-
,setf1li AtIength one PdTy Councillor suggested.
This day viii Be memorabls IN the annals Of fAe
.mplrs as that on which bis Majesty sor ths arst
ins zliBesssd the working of . telegraph" Bat
his Instantly rejected a. being not 10 The least
lmusing. At last youthfui eourtisr proposed,
We al mean % gss merry On tbs wine Ebsen We
Ipeei 10 reesiFs from Jour MsiestyH This Enat
nee received with delight and Transmitted 10 he