New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1871-06-21


ed by that board, find, by plans in my
possession, that the said lines measure
from the river at point above.
Feet
Carrollton TO the lake shore........ A4st
Along the lake shore to Lafayette
avenue 50 ODt
Thence in direct line to the intersec-
tion of the Fishermen's canal with
Florida walk, and thence to the
river bank .................... 2s24t
Total length of levee ......,....... 86,1sc
Giving twenty seven cubic yards per
lineal fOOt-cubic yards .......... 2.34l Az
At fifty cents per cubic yard is..... $117O7 TO on
Add TO this the cost of the land upon
which the levee is to be built say
5 100 per acre for 459 acres..-.-. As, BIS OK
Total cost of land and levee 80. 81 PISS on
Estimate of wall of concrete and brick
masonry of same lines compared with fore
going earthwork-
Cubic feet
Foundation to be of concrete. -
Brick work. Is
Making per lineaI foot of masonry. "a
Which lat l2) for So 720 feet is s 040, $40 0C
The wall of masonry would cover but $685.
ten acres as compared W tn 458
acres covered by the earIhwork. 1000 "
Total cost of wall of masonry and
land. OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Hl,o4i,o4o "
would offer an estimate for the neces
sary locks, bridges and flood gates, but as
my experience in these things has been OF
first class masonry, wood and iron, my esti-
mate would be based upon SUCH / therefore
refrain giving it, as there are the same grada-
tons of difference in the cost and style OF
locks and bridges as between RATS and
clipper vessels. General McAliister'ss esti-
mate for locks for the contemplated passage
through Manchac from the river was $780,
900 each.
have estimated for a wall of masonry,
not that wish to detract from the merits
of an earthwork with roadway, but such
work involves canal or ditch with its in
evitabie paniments-stagnatiOn and
miasma. If it is probable that the dirt
could be taken from the lake, would give
preference to the earthwOrk.
have been induced to give considerable
attention to plans of revetment by being so
frequently asked for an opinion by persons
interested, and will offer the following as
the result of my observations:
Iron revetment is but a questionable ex-
pertinent, and | have my doubts whether,
as designed, it can be accomplished; and,
even if So it would be nearly Impossible TO
repair it if damaged. All light revetments
exposed to the sea soon give way through
the incessant action of the water. have
seen, while at the North, upon the lake
pieces of revetment thirty to forty feet IN
dimensions. and sunk six to eight feet in
the ground. torn off by the agitation OF the
water during storms. But it may be SAID
that this being wood, it was lighter than
water, and was easily acted upon, while
iron, being heavier, would resist longer.
Let us see This iron is to be fastened only
at intervals, while wood has continuous
hold in the ground that would more than
balance any extra weight of the iron. wood
reyetment gives way under the agitation
of water, and iron revetment does not pre-
sent more mass than wood to check the
momentum. The embankment behind IS
of no service to either, but rather disad-
vantage, for the reason that the water
falling on or being thrown on top oil the
embankment, and washing behind the re-
vetment. acts with hydraulic force IN pro
portion to the height, and this washing De
ing constantly and rapidly renewed, eaus
inc a swaying of the revetment to and from
its equilibrium, tears it asunder. Now, the
fact that iron would sink and wood noat
seems to me of little moment. L therefore
saw that if the levee is to be placed in the
water, a solid mass of masonry Is apso-
Iutely necessary to its protection. -,
The question as to the levee beng Dullt
in the lake. or back upon the land, giving a
long slope for receiving the swells occa-
stoned bv storms, would favor the first,
having it so constructed as to form an inner
wall for the docks. which we now see are so
necessary. and which we will have when
the canals are filled up and their places
taken by railroads this is simply qme sH Sa
Thought an inland levee or wall Is most iea-
sible at It present, and have no doubt that
the slope, if made gradual. enough, VIII be be
little affected by the action of water, as as
even the heaviest waves might De gently
brought to rest. as we see ocean pillows roll
upon the long beach and die away in rip
Pies; while the same wave dashes furio4sly
against the solid rock, throwing its white
cap mountain high. A long slope, upon
which vegetation would grow, would indeed
be as little affected as has been the natural
ridge or the lake shore. ,...
As to the removal of rainfalls and sewer
age by pumping into the lake, the cost
would materially depend upon the location
of the pumps. If placed upon the iake
shore. the fall from the ridge to the Lake
could not be less than five feet, and II the
storm water rises six feet, we must lift the