New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1871-07-24
CRANPED SHIPPING FACILITIES.

GRANTED SHIPPING FACILITIES.
To accommodate this immense business, OF which only
the leading features been shown the city labors
under manifest disadvantages Her only harbor is the
Chicago River which has been shown to be sagnant
bayou penetrating the city by narrow and tortuous
course and which affords at best but 20 miles OF dock
age including the slips and the extension OF its mouth
three-quarers OF mile into the lake. This contracted
and tdeless canal carrying the entire commerce OF the
citv-whch in OF sails Cunnage of course. being
left question: exceeds that of the port OF New
Yorkcatches whole of the drainage Of the city, and
has come 10 noisOme OF black, offensive matter
that can scarcely called water the odor OF which per-
vades the city and must be productive OF disease The
Illinois and Michigan Canal, IS miles In length. connect
ing the head OF this OF sagnatoD with navigation
on the Illinois River, made to perform a certain
amount of scavenger work by receiving such portion OF
the fetid OF the river could be pumped into IT,
thence conveying it TO the Illinois River and 30
70 the Mississippi and the Gulf. But the level OF
the Illinois and Michigan Canal, being feet above
that of the Chicago River, the amount of
water that could pumped into it from the river
mere bagaelle and the large sums OF money expended
by the city pumps and engines wholly wasted
after several years trial 1t found wholly imprac
cable to keep TIE river pure by this Then the
city obtained authority from the Legislature to lower
Tie canal throughout its length by eight feet, ana con-
meet it directly with river This is the work that has
lust been accomplished.
The upper end OF the canal at Bridgeport. where it
taps the Chicago River is level with that river
while the lower end miles distant where II enters the
Illinois River l. two and half feet lower thus furnishing
sufficient fall To slight natural current and draw
tire water through the Chicago River from Lake Michigan
nv natural grayaton IL is estimated by competent en-
ncers that this faii III me canal VIII cause current up
strcam in the Chicago River of two miles an hour direct
ruer rI t T pHre The wark Of deepening the
canal Was completed Saturday of last week, when the
in the presence Of the city authorities and
large concousc citizens the event being celebrated
non and other nan>atiOns Of joy. The water rushed
into the empty canal win great tIGGgh ~,
not anticipated and caused basv retreat OF the
ever by changing position the head of the river TO
mouth the result observed with greater SAT- sac
ton, as the murky, offensive fluid gradually disap-
water of the lake. The wbaryes all along the
stream, and the numerous bridges that cross ~ were
crowded with spectators who hailed the appearance OF
the clear blue with shouts and cheers But the
work OF purlheaton was by no means instantaneous.
The putTd accumuations hung ia the slips and along the
piers il determined TO maintain the right of posses
sion, and though the immediate mouth Of the river was
filled with clear water, and narrow streak OF blue
day night, j. was not until Tuesday that the water might
be said 10 have changed throughout the yer, and even
il apparent that the undertaking success, and
but the work OF a few days.
DEMANDS FOR GREATER WHARF ACCOMMODATION.
The most, however that has been accomplished has
Deen give Chicago harbOr OF pure water, the effect
VI which only be TO increase the demands upon IT,
with ample and eommodious shipping facilities, the
business OF the city would to-day be so per
along the fronts OF that contracted river is
now occupied, and sites for factories, mills,
lumber yards and warehouses not 10 be obtained at
any price. Millions Of dollars Of capital are annually
turned away because OF the absolute impossbity OF
convenient sites for the industrial enterprises
sought to be established, and which would certainly be
reInuneratve single fact Will illustrate this point
rle Lake Superior Ship Canal, Railroad, and Iron Com
pany own thousands of acres OF mineral land on the
npper peninsula of Michigan, including the bLk OF the
NenorIinee iron district, which has it's outlet
Green Bay In Lake Michigan The black coal OF Indi-
ana which said 10 be equal 10 charcoal for the manu-
tacfre ~ iron s brought directly by rail to Chicago.
The Lake Superior Company is anxious 20 unload It's ore
where can meet this COAL but II has been baked In
every ATTEMPT 10 secure q Judgment on the Chicago
River A multitude Of similar instances might be cited
the nadequacy Of the Chicago iHer W the Dus
ness that naturally seeks it,
TO meet this difficulty scheme has recently been set
foot TO open mp the Calumet River for navigation AND
business purposes. The Calumet River empires INTO
Lake Michigan az the extreme southwest angie OF the
Jake. us mouth is distant from the mouth OF ihe
Chicago River exactly II miles In a straight along
JIG water. Unlike TIC CHICAGO River tho Calumet Is