The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1871-11-14
The following Interesting report was
presented ut tho meeting Of the City Coun-

presented at the meeting of the City Coun-
Gil last evcning:
RIcnMoND, VA, November IL, 1871.
TO the Council Of the City Of Richmond:
Gentlemen,-T joint committee on the
Improvement of James river respectfully
submit the following report Of the progress
of the woik under their charge since Au-
gust 1St
At the date of that report we were en-
gagged In work on the Richmond bar. Since
that time we have confined our operations
exclusively to that work, and it is with Pc
culiar satisfaction that we are now enabled
to report to you its successful completion.
The importance of this progressive step
in our work cannot be nverestimated. In
June last there was bul OK feet of water at
mean low-tidc on the Richmond bar; now
we have channel-wav 4,500 feet loag, 70
feet wide, and IS feet deep at low-tide,
which gives us depth Of over 1S feet twice
= day.
! 70 ACCOMPLISH this work we have re-
moved ,931 cubic yards OF material and
safely deposited il behind crib work along
the banks Of the river.
We have not only accomplished nearly
one mile of the work under our charge,
but have also demonstrated thereby the en-
tire feasibility and comparative ease with
which tie entire Improvement Of the river
can he completed TO the standard depth OF
eighteen feet, which we have adopted.
We have now begun work near the brew.
cry wharf, at point just below where the
contlautors under the Government are en-.
gagged III removing the rocky reels across
! the channel, and propo.e TO work from that
point down the liver 70 Richmond bar un-
. til we join the work there completed. We
estimate that it will require about ten
months TO complete this part Of the work.
. In view of the satisfactory condition and
progress Of our work, and the near con-
! summation Of the great western and south
crn railroad connections, which must seek
the James river for their outlet, your COM
mittae have determined on pressing the
wJ!k 10 tic Utmost. While determined
10 complc.e The work at the earliest
F., practicable moment, we deem il in
cXpcdcnt to increase the amount Of ma
chinery belonging to the city, as we con.
sitter that the present force will be fully
sufficient TO keep the river in proper con
dlti0u after the improvements are com.
pletcd. We have decided, therefore, TO con.
tract for dredging the channel from Rich.
mond 10 Warwick's bar, that the work may
go on simultaneously with the work TO be
; done by our own drcdgeS from the brewery
what TO RichlnCud bar, as above referred
! to-
Under these arrangements we are e1a-
hled 10 announce that we can promise i
depth CT eighteen feet Of water from TIE
sea to Richmond within twelve months.
aud are 50 cop1iteDt Of ,he accomplishment
oi thai great point that we have directed
! our chairman to officially communicate il
| 10 the Chesapeake and Clio Railroad Com
pauy, that they may govern their proposed
shipping arrangements at this point accord
lng!v.
We deem il proper ana desirable thai
YOU should be kept informed OF the p"o
gress NJ th't portion O; the improvement
# our river undertaken hy the Govern
luDH[.
The work or The Dutch Cap caDal, VIZ
arc pleased 70 report, Is within few day!
nf c0m2ctiCm, nothing remaining to b,
d0uc except ircdcing through to 4 uuitolu
Qep>h. Before The end OF this mouth vs.
hope 20 announce the iUr1nJl acceptance Q
lnc Work from The contractors ard tho
op"niug o! this important cutoff to nayi
CATION.
On the rocky reefs below Rockets tht
contractors have been buSiy engaged il
blas.iug, and have now Very large amount
ol rock crushed ready 10 be removed. TIL
VIII he done By Them rs soon as drcdge
can he ncINac1 for tho purpose, aud VII
pc !nast material Improvement.
Respectfully submitted.
ALBERT URDwAY, Chairman.