The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-12-05
CLEARING THE JAMES RIVER.

Professor Maillefert's Contract with tho Gsv.
crnnent Almost Completed-A List or tho
Vessels ard Other Distractions Rnised-A
Channel Suitable for Large Vessels will
shortly be Opposed.
RICHMOND, Va, Dec. 4, 1871.
The contract for the removal Of the James River
distractions between the United States government
and the city OF Richmond and Professor Maiefert
Of New York, the contractor has just been COM
pleted. The operations OF tine Professor. besides
being OF some historic interest," are OF the greatest
importance to mariners. Considering the low cost
and the short time OF his operations here the sue
cess Of this engineer, aided by his assistants has
been marvellous. There have been removed
at Wiltons all the piles IN the channel
and also small steamer, the Seabrd.
THE WORK THAT HAD TO BE DONE.
Everything has been removed at Drury's Bluff
Point, quite notable during the war; SO as to give
eighteen feet In the channel at low water. Twenty
eight st0ne-nlleH cribs, each containing $50 cubic
yards OF stone; two irOn-cads, the Fredericksburg
and the virginia; four steamers the Northampton.
jamestown, Gurus Peck and the Beaufort; brig,
the Marcus; two large schooners, the Roach and
the Wythe; two pilot boats five or SIX scOws l0aoed
with stone besides an enormous quantity OF logs.
trees and sandbar accumulated during the freshets
constitute the catalogue OF distractions which have
uScH iVAOtCu Nv tuhI puTtLCutdr lOC6llIv. Al war.
wick's Bar, i've schooners and sloops names un-
known have been removed and stone
CRIB at Graveyard Bend. The doube-decked
schooner Gaeg0 the pilot boat Plume and another
pilot boat, without name, have been taken up at
various periods, besides tOrty-One piles and the
mains OF military bridge. All this work has been
enectually done In twelve months time at cost to
the United States OF $144O0 and TO the city OF Rich
mond OF $2.l40;
TOTAL COST, $18,54o
The work OF Drury's Bluff alone was estimated
TWO years ago 10 cost 100000 In the performance
OF TINS WORK the Professor has consumed SO. $50
pounds OF powder, uring 482 charges. varying from
manner in which these operations have been carried
on, the instance or
THE IR0N-CLAD FREDERICKSBURG
may be referred TO. IL was found bottom upwards
with only nine feet Of water on 1t ut low tide anu
completely Embedded In mud and Qulcksanu.
Notwithstanding the latter circumstance which
rendered the operation OF the divers
tedious and difficult, the bottom and sides
were first carefully taken, then her TWO boilers, then
her two engines shafts and screws, afterwards q
large amount OF shells, bOtn percussion and fuse,
and solid shot; all her knuCkles, iron plating
deck, forward and aft, iron plating, seventy five
copper tanks, some of them containing dry powder,
and even the blacksmith bellows, Jorge anvll and
all accompanying tools,
There now a depth OF thirty five feet where be-
fore only nine ieet existed. What remains to be
done OF this work Will go without interruption,
under the supervision OF Professor Malleiert, and
the people OF Richmond may indulge the confident
assurance OF enjoying ere very long the advantage
or an eighteen foot channel from Rockets to the
ocean.