Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1872-12-20
OUR RIVER FRONT.
ImproveMe nts of the Pc tOmac Chan.
mel and HarbOr
Report of the Commission Appointed
by COagress.
Important lamentations.

General Humphreys, Captain Patterson, Gem
eral Babcock, Governor Cooke, Professor
Pierce, and Mr.. A. r. Shepherd, the commits
zion appointed by Congress TO examine into the
condition Of the harb0rs and landings for vesse. Is
from the Anacostia bridge on the Eastern
branch along the entire water front of Wash
ingtCn and Georgetown to the head of tide
water and to submit q plan for opening, i'm
proving and developing the water channtl,
reviewing the present condition and capacity
OF the Potomac channel, they refer to the fsts
between the Georgetown and Washington chan
solute necessity for the preservation OF the
health d the city, and must be included in any
plan ASIDE from commercial purposes for the
improvement OF the water front.
THREE CENTRAL PLANS
only are reasonably possible. but the details
may be greatly varied. These general plan,
LIST. To carry the main channel from the lower
end OF Analostan Island. across the fats above
the Long Bi idge, and below Easby's Point into
the small channel running along the Washing
ton front, at or near the intersection of the ex-
tensions Of 18th and Q and ID streets southwest,
and thence continue along the present front OF
the city until 1t joins the deep channel OF the
river, just below the arsenal.
I'd. 10 have two channels forming the fats
above and below the Long bridge into an island.
The main deep channel to remain along the
right bank of the river down to Gravelly point,
just below the Long bridge, and thence to the
deep channel off Geisboro point. The second
and smaller channel to rum from a point lust
below Easby's point, across the fats, with its
iath street Washington, and T thence enc As Along AZ
the present Washington front until all the
channels join the deep channel of the river of
Geisb0ro' point.
Sd. To have but one channel of sufficient
width and depth for all purpo.es; q direct con-
tiDuation OF the river &C Georgetown, to run
along the right bank Of the river as far as
Gravelly point; and thence directly towards
&c sboro point on the left bank joining the deep
channel Of the river at that point following
Eeatly the present main channel OF the river.
THE FIRST PLAN
does not reclaim the immense dat in front Of
the city, this reclamation being an absolute ne
cessity fer sanitary as well as commercial pur-
poses. This fiat would rapidly become an enor-
side from which the prevalent winds blow, es-
pecialy in summer and autumn. The cost of
excavation in tbis plan would equal that in
Houd ca nd m cost fof
that OF the second. The cost Of filing up the
remainder OF the great marshy flats, lying on
the right OF the channel thus made, to the right
would greatly exceed the cost Of filling in either
OF the other plans, and these flats would be OF
comparatively no value when tlled.
THE SECOND PLAN,
as well as the third, reclaims and utilities the
Whole Of the fiat lying in front OF the city. The
second, however, forms IL into an island. The
cost Of its nlling and excavation does not differ
= eHA pan, Uut INC Cost Ol tnc
buikhead Of the second plan greatly exceeds
that ofthe third. Ithas the advantage of much
greater frontage, viz: the second about, for
both harbors, 5s 500 feet, and the third abort
~ eco feet, exclusive Of piers, wharves, sc.
Tneee last In the second would be nearly double
those OF the third. In the second plan there
would DO Q vide channel separating Il from the
CITY, involving large additional cost for
bridges; less land would be reclaimed, and none
OF II edvantage0usly available for eoyernment
uses; but II would afford greater ADVANTAGES for
the Drainage and sewerage Of Q large part of
THE THIRD PLAN
ieciaims al the fats and advances the civ fronf
directly to the edge Of the harbor channel: AZ
fords abundant frontage (about 81 coo feet ex-
elusive OF piers, wharyes, &C.; 10 much less ex.
peufive and gives about As acres Of land, most
advantageouely located, for government pur-
poses. The third or last plan 6 the one adopted
ny the commission. The depth Of the water m
the hazbor should b ct least g feet below mes a
low water, and the main channels of the harbor
should Dc rs near - possible along the main
cnanHei now existing, q this gives the most
direct and easy discharged Of the river especialiy
curing heavy ffeehets and breaking up Of the
ice The channel should be of sum Gent width
70 enable the largest vessels to be moved about
win ease, free nom danger OF GROUNDING. and
to allow the discharge Of the heaviest freshsts
with the least damage to property.
The causeWays, abutments and piers Of
TIE AQURDUOT BRIDGE AT eRoRa rrovu
reduce the width Of the river nom ito nsfnra,
"ioin OF l'ooo feet between the lines OF hugh