, 1873-05-20
RIVER GAUGES.

"hnt tlao Signal Service Proposed to
Do In tho Interest of Inland Cons
merco---LiHt OF Stations ut Which
River Gauges nrc to l3c Pluccl.
Special Dispatch to The Chicago Tribune.
WASHINGTON, D. c., May 10.-Gon. Albert J..
Myor, Chief Of tho Signal Service, has Just put
Into operation d regular sratom Of daily rivor
reports in connection with tho wcatlor report
systom, and ita proposed connection with tho
lighthouse aud lifo-saving stations. This will
mako the signal aorvice in its peaceful
operation, about rs porfoct ~ is con-
tcmplatel for tho proaont. Tho now
river-roport syste1n was commenced
on tic list day Of Afny. It involves tho employ
mont Of civilians as observers (tho only civil
ians In tho signal sorvico) but 1t has. boon found
cheaper to adopt TINT plan. Stations have been
orderod at tho following points Adalusia, ILL.,;
Bonneville, Brownsville, Brunswick, Cairo, Cln-
cinnati, Confluence. Davenport Evansville, Fort
Dcnton, Fort Smith, Fort sully, Froeport, Graf
ton, ILL.,. Horrnann, No.; Jefferson, No.; KansaB
City, Kookuk, Leavonworth. Loxington, Littlo
Rock, Louisville, 1tarfotta, Memphis, Nashville,
Now, Geneva, Now orloans,- on City,
Qmeha, rittshnrgh; Shreveport, st. Joseph, St.
Louis, st. peul, ,Viokssburg. Tho usual rivor
reports havo been basod on standards of given
yoara, understood BY boatmen, but the difficulty
has boon that thoy lacked reliability, because
boatInen, by roaaon Of Interested motiyuB fro
quonty gave falso reports, and iu many instances
held bnck Or stuck, on Bhoals while tie party
giving tho information took tho benefit OF his
knowledge. Undor tho now system gauge ia
planted in the river bau. at each station. It ia
made I,I Of Pine or oak timber, two inehoa
enough to cover tic wholo range ii boswoeSs1 S
oxtrome low and extreme high water. This
timbor iB placed elgewino and firmly imbedled
i'll the ground, lenving one and half inches ex-
poaod above tho surface. a scale Of moaHure-
of 1867 for tho low water mark, OF benoh mnrk,
Ms it is technically Called Tho edge Of the gauge
is planod, and after boing placod in position ia
graduated in foot and inclleh. The graduation is
governed by tho tost Of All upright rod, and
the exact measure in feet md inches is
placed on q straight edge, roaching from tho
vertical rod to tho timber III tile bank. Aftor
thiH measurement has bocn recorded in foot and
inches, tho observer can toll ut a glance how
rse or full Of water ie gradual, one observation
May to July 81 and Oct. l to Nov. 80 Of
each year; but, when! tho, change is sud
den 1, md md unusual 5 in its character, reports
such ohango until tho river resumes
1t normal condition. These reports aro all sont
in IN ingenious cypher, invented with viow OF
aocroBy and brevity, and securing both objects.
There is no appropriation for tho river report
system. It hng 30 far taken about 5000 from
tho weather signal appropriation, aud it III quite
probable taat Eongress will indorao tho under
taking. Gen. Myers says that If Congress would
give him 100000 year TO proso-
cnto tho work, he would furnish to
all tho citios daily reports oi
tho condition OF oyory nayigab1o river
in tho United States. Early news Of an ap-
proaching flood or bronx Of an ico-gorgo would
ordinarily savo q single city tho whole amount
required to support tho system yoar.