The daily Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1873-1877, 1873-12-09

sut WnlCh oJAOeSh AANAAA SA-~ q
ment bridge to Port Byron, q distance OF
eighteen miles, navigable in low water:
ROCK ISLAND RAPIDS.
The work of excavation at Rock Island
rapids has been pushed with such energy
on the part of the contractor, as TO enable
me TO close the contract with MIR. j. j. ,
Dull, which was entered into July II, 1871,
at the early date of Oct. Is, 1872. This
contract embraces the Improvement of Up
per chain, Smiths chain, ST. Louis chain,
patches above Sycamore chain, and patches
near Crab Island. A new contract, Aug.
s, 1872, was made with the firm OF Dull
Williams, for excavation at Winnebago
chain, and of patches between st. Louis
and CampbclTs chain. The work embrac-
cd in this contract has been performed dur
inc the fall of 1872, and during the spring
of 1874 In a few days l will be able also
| IN close this contract by final estimate.
For the fiscal year ending June 80, 1874 IAN
appropriation of $4,000 was made by Con
gress. March 3, 1878. / was authorized to
draw new contract for the money availa-
BILE with Mr.. George Williams, who, with !
unabated zeal, is at present engaged to ex-
cayate patches near Duck Greek chain and
| Lower chain, and patches between Camp |
bells chain, and Winnebago Island. The
work, which can be done at these places
with the funds on hand, will certainly be
finished by the LIST of November of this
year.
The improvements done so far at these
rapids have proved to be perfect success.
and the navigating public applaud the
work.
In low stage of water the rapids are cas-
Ter navigated than the river above the
rapids.
STEAMERS IN FORMER DAYS
! could not pass the rapids at stage OF two
e feet above lowest water of 1864, and at
: stage of three feet above lowest water
steamers experienced great difficulty and
risk. At present, boats pass the rapids
! with ease, and | am told, occasional y at
! night, too. 1t is my intention to establish
a system of guides, or range marks, and
perhaps lights for the better navigation OF
the channel in the river, whenever the i'm
provements of the remaining chains are
- completed, and allow me more full con-
y, sideration of the subject. | directed my
Il assistant, Il. 1. Hoffman, to prepare map
- showing the state of the river bed at these
a rapids in the year 1867 before any improve
~ meut was made, and also the state of the
10 river bed in this year after the greatest
= mart of the improvements have been ac-
u complished. The reports of Assistant +.
:. f. Hoffman is hereto appended, and take
great pleasure in referring to them as a
most satisfactory exhibit of the condition
of this useful work
of most earnestly recommend the still re
d. naming excavations of 600 cubic yards
sh at Lower chain and foot of Moline chain
ng for which work ask an appropriation o
he $4,000, a sum which will enable me t
he finish this most important work OF lmprov
on ING the Rock Island rapids of the Missis
ties sippi. The report of Assistant Hoffman i
herewith appended:
he RoCN ISLAND, ILL.,, July |, 1873, [. 5
pit Engineers ofhce-Colonel }. \. Macomt
;. Corps of Engineers, [. ). Army, Roc
The Island ILL., Colonel Under the cOntraC
in with Mr.. j. j. Dull there remains still t
mes be excavated thirteen hundred and ninety
two yards at the St. Louis chain. Whe
my the last annual report was submitted
ant YOU, had hoped to see this chain compile
vas ed about the middle of September, 1877:
m but owing to accidents to chisel boats an
Il | dredges, OccasiOned by passing steamer
zeal and RATS, the work at this chain was on
finished Oct. Is, 1872. A thorough inspe
ton with the sounding apparatus Shove
= "a the work 10 have been performed in vel
satisfactory manner, and thus the contra
Z i6 with j. J. Dull was on the 18th of OctOb'
i 90 declared to be fulfilled in consequence
. 81 which final estimate OF all work done u
der this contract was presented to Mr.. j.
o % Dull which was accepted on his part, wher
-, upon the retained percentage TO the amOu
. - of S24, 373 40 was paid and the contra
at virtually closed
&C.. Congress having appropriated $500
the for the prosecution of the work at the
iats rapids during the fiscal year ending Ju
3d. 1878, advertisements in reference
the work were announced, and the Ope
Frs. ing of bids took place Aug "a, 1872. T
Jap lowest responsible bidder was the firm
: ~ Dull a. Williams, of keokuk, Iowa, wi
which firm you were duly authorized
row draw a contract for the work of excavatit
sea The stipulated price per cubic yard in Il
d in contract was $3.50 for rock excavation
c,.s Wrnnebago island, and $l4.50 for cert;
sI patches Of work laying between st. Lo
loi- chain and Campbell's and between Can
bells and Winnebago islands.
Ion THE WORK WAS COMMENCED