The New Orleans bulletin. [volume] (New Orleans [La.]) 1874-1876, 1874-04-09
THE HIGH WATER.
The Breaks i'm the Levee.
Tour from Canal Street to Camp
Parapet-0ur Danger.

present high stage Of water has caused a
feeling of great anxiety throughout the
community. Although the city proper is
protected above by levee running from the
river to the lake, there are many points in
side of this line where the river front can
not be said to be entirely without weakness.
The public have been apprehensive Of a
flood ever since the river commenced to
swell to such high proportions, and now it
has become the chief topic Of conversation.
So much has this feeling increased that those
living in the suburbs have already contem-
plated what they would do in case of such
disaster.
terday afternoon entered into an inspection
of the levees from Canal street to Camp
Parapet, in order to give to the public their
present condition, and to satisfy the demand
for everything relating to the
Probability of a Crevasse.
At no time since the Sauve break has the
city been SO seriously threatened, and if the
night pass without any extensive break, we
may consider ourselves fortunate.
Starting out from the foot of Canal street,
we first repaired to the Harbor Police Sta
ton for the purpose, interviewing Capt.
Lawlor, WHOM response to our inquiries con
corning the present condition of the river at
this point, reported that it mad reached the
high water mark of 1871, varying at times
one inch above and below. 1t is on a level
wit ho hnr in
covering the apron.
About Lafayette street the water is flow
ing over the wharves in many places, and
in front of Morgan's depot, having worked
its way inside the wharf, has reached the
very edge of the railroad track, bathing the
ends of the crossties, and presenting to the
eye large and unbrOken sheet. On the
hay landing, the
Water Is Coming Through
the cracks, and rising SO as to necessitate
the immediate and active removal Of all the
hay and forage about the place. Floats and
drays are in active demand at this time,
while the rabble and the motley crowd, tor
lack of more remunerative work, are busily
engaged in waging relentless war of ex
termination upon the myriads of unfortu
nate rats, reaches, and other vermin in
general, which have fled from watery
grave to meet with no better fate.
When we reached Erato street we found
several gangs of men earnestly at work in
throwing up little levees, IN anticipation Of
the approaching danger.
A AZ -.
steadily flowing in widespread sheet over
the levee into the cutters, swelling the tide
Of these to an alarming extent.
The railroad along the levee front, in the
neighborhood of Orange street, is well
Under Water
in several places, and in case of slight rise
will be rather embarrassing to car travel.
Up to this point of our Investigations we
were accompanied by Mr.. Z. R. Chevally,
of the Wharves, who kindly
lent his services in showing us objects of
interest about the levee, and in indicating
TO us those points at which break was
most likely to occur.
At the foot of Jackson street the levees
are high and in good condition, the water
being several feet below the wha rves.
The levees at Washington street are
strong, and equal to the emergency.
Throughout the day the heavens were
overcast with dark clouds; there prevailed
a strong south wind, afterwards changing to
a Southwestern, lashing the water into swell
ing waves, and furiously dashing them with
with great violence against and over the
thereby greatly
Increasing the Dang r.
At nightfall heavy rain set in, lending
its efficient assistance to the work of de-
struction.
From this up to the old Stock Landing,
here and'there weak places were observed,
but no danger is anticipated here
Proceeding up, we examined the front at
the foot of Louisiana Avenue Here we
found a height of about three feet above
the water, the earth compact and no evil
lence of the waters action. The fall had
revetment Of planking, which served mate
rally to break the force of the waves. As
we passed the ice works we noticed the
heavy rollers dashing over the embankment
but not materially affecting its stability.
The wind was
Blowing . Gale.
ind several who had crossed to this side in |
boats, were compelled to remain. Some-
lines the spray would rise some eight feet |
n height and drift away in a cloud of mi
mute particles. A number Of workmen v ere
busy repairing here and there the threat
sned spots, whilst nervous citizens Of the
Immediate neighborhood looked on, evident
" fearing the approach of night and the
waves action.
At Constantinople street the danger was
more serious. The full sweep Of the wind
irove the water violently against the banks,
md as the facing was not entirely covered
with planking, here and there cracks were
visible: traspiratiOn water percolated