New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1873-03-30
ENTRANCES TO THE MLssIssIPPI.
Circular from Captain HOwell-InfOrma a
ton for shi pmastera and OwRers.

t1rcusHr from tapta1n HAOWelt-ADIohahh-
tion for shipmasters and OwRers.
UsIrED STATES BSeLrEB2s oPFIcH
No. % Ramp part street, 7
Few Orleans March q, i81j.)
STR-The bars at the entrances to the
Mississippi river and the channels that may
be made across them are subject TO such
continual change as to place shlpmasters
entering or leaving the port OF Rev Or-
leans, with their vessels, entirely at the
discretion OF bar pilots and tOwbOat cap
tains, for the reason that the charts ordln-
arily furnished captains do not show the
conditions or locations of the crossings, or
in any way enable captains 10 Judge tor
themselves OF the proper time 10 atteinPs
crossing or of the skill and Judgment with
which their vessels are handled on the bar.
For the better information OF shlpmaS-
ters, the undersigned will hereafter, at such
times as il NAV be deemed necessary, have
Autographed for distribution, charts similar
to the one accompanying this circular,
showing the exact location OF lighthouses,
beacons and buuys; the shape and condl-
tiOn Of channels represented by curves and
igures, giving soundings at extreme low
tide; the true meridian and magnetic va
ration; the nature of the bottom OF chan
mel and such other particulars as may be OF
importance. When charts are ready for
distribution, notice will be given in the
daily Times, Picaytne, Repa6t,ca's, Bee and
German Gnsette, and in the P5oe Current
After such notice, agents, shipmasters, pi-
lots and tOwboat captains are IN
yited to apply for them at this
Office, when they will be issued free
of charge. The condition of the bar at
Southwest Pass has greatly changed
since the date OF the accompanying chart,
so that the latter will only be of service to
show location of buoys. On and after the
fifteenth Of April next there will be dis
played in a conspicuous position near the
bar. Oh which the dredgeboats may he
working, signals, changed hourly during the
daytime, giving the full depth OF water in
the channel across the bar for the time of
showing. While the tide is rising the sig
nails viii show red numbers on q white
ground--the ttso left hand Jas you approachj
numbers representing feet, the right hand
numbers tenths of d fOOt-thus, lJs3-
fifteen feet and eight-tenths of q loot.
While the tide is falling, the numbers will
be white on black ground. The numbers
will be large enough to read, with good
glass, a distance of three miles. In the in
teryal between dates of charts, the latest
advices regarding condition of channel
vii be found on bulletin boards at the Gus
tomhouse and at the Office of X & &. Tyler.
CarOndelet street. between Canal and Gem
mon,
masters is invited to the evil effects which
may arise from allowing their vessels TO be
placed on the bar at unreasonable times.
| The present blockade at Southwest Pass
was started by attempting to cross vessel
during thick log. 1t has been since main
| tanned By putting other vessels on while
grounded vessels were IN the way, or as
soon as such were tOwed of; thus keeping
the bar continually blocked 80 as to pre-
vent efficient dredging 10 deepen the chan
mel. The commerce of an important port
is thus blocked for weeks, where a little
patience after removal of the first ship
would have allowed the dredgeboats 10
restore the channel in very few days. A
few ships may struggle across the bar, after
being aground for days and mourning
heavy expense, if not damage, hut shls will
be but selfish satisfaction, obtained at the
expense of the whole commerce of this
port Would it not be better for shipmas-
ters to wait few days, inside or outside,
after the bar is cleared of grounded vessels,
let the dredgeboats work and get good
channel, and thus pass over without dlft-
Guilty, or greatly increased charges of tow
age : Vessels should never be put on the
bar during fog, or when another vessel Is
aground. nor vet at low tide, unless draw
ing less than Is reported in the channel, or
towed Oy enough tOwbOats to insure a
crossing. Regarding this, the judgment OF
tho officer in charge of dredgeboats can
easily be obtained and will be found un'
prejudiced. Respectfully, etc.
C. w. HOWELL,
Captain of Engineers, United States Army.