New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1874-12-13

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mittsd - Congress S its opening is tbs
portion Of tho War Department's repol
which includes Major Howell's reportrt
the chief of engineers. For several year
now. Major Howell has been stationed
this department, in charge Of governmen
work, and in that time has performed niue
valuable labor. An idea of the msgnitud
and importance of this labor may be OF
tanned from the following summary of hi
report:
Officer in charge, Captain C. w. Howell
corps OF engineers, having under his imme
corps OF engineers, viz: Lieutenant H. NJ
Adams. from July /. 1873, to June l. 1874
Lieutenant E. A. Woodruff, from July l
1873, to September 80. 1873; Lieutenant
K. L. B. Davis, from July L, 1873, to jun
30, 1874; Lieutenant James b. Quinn, iron
July /, 1873, to June 30, 1874.
/. improvement of the mouth of IT, 1IssiS
sippi r.rer, Lossisinna, at Pass-a Outre-
From June 30. 1873, to June %, 1874, I
channel from seventeen to twenty feet dc 81
was available each day at high tide at Pass
a-rOutre.
The act of Congress, passed at its las
over the use of the channel in course Of
improvement, though not vet enforced, has
had beneficial effect. Regulations, pro
vided fer by the act, will be established
and enforced during the present year, and
it is thought, will result in preventing
blockades.
In connection with the improvement OF
the mouth Of the river, whether by canal
jetties, or dredging, numerous surveys,
borlngs, and measurements have beer
made, the results of some OF which have
been reported from time to time as the
work progressed. This field york has not
yet been completed.
2. Rem0ri,aQ the Raft in Red Riuer, Louis.
sand.-A navigable channel through the
whole length Of the raft was obtained in
November, 1878, since which time work has
been directed to the removal of the remain
ing portions Of the RAFT and to clearing the
banks OF the river where necessary, to pre-.
vent the, reformation of raft and the depOk it
of new distractions from caving banks.
3. improvement of Tones Bayou, Lou
sidna.-The raft dam reported in course
construction last year was completed a
remained in place during the year, br +.
produced no apparent useful effect; the
bayou under it deepening and permitting
quite as great discharge as before it's in
PRODUCTION. 1t appears that the total
closure of this bayou will alone effect the
end desired-that of improved navigation
in Red river below Tones Bayou, the cost
Of which lie estimated at $4,000.
T. improvement Of Cypress Bayou and
of dams aud dredging at the
foot Of Soda Lake, Ieras and Louisiana.-
Work on the former was continued through
out the year when rendered practicable by
the stage Of water in the bayou, and re-
suited in widening, deepening, and straight
ening the channel from Jeffel son to a point
below Smith]and.
Further examination was made at the
loot OF Soda Lake, and q plan tor improve
ment projected, which, from it's character,
,Ould not be commenced with the insult
cient appropriation available.
The officer in charge submits estimates
Tor the next fiscal year amounting to
e372, $50.
5. Improvement of Calcasieu Pass. Louis.
anG.-This work was completed January
Is, 1874. 1t has benefited large lumber
ng interest in Southwestern Louisiana.
T.. improvement of the Harbor of GalreS-
ON, ZsIas.-Captain Howell submitted q
'epOrt upon the results Of the survey he
lad been directed to make for the purpose
# determining and estimating the cost of
Ome plan of improvement calculated to
1--WE an eighteen foot entrance to this har-
)Or,
As the method of construction proposed
y him is in some degree new, and involves
J large expenditure, it was deemed advis-
bile to refer his report to board of
ngineer officers for opinion thereon. These
ep0rts were transmitted to Congress at its
ast session.
The appropriation of June %, 1874, will
'e expended in accordance with the recon.
OF this board, but only 80 far as
o test the merits Of the plan. 1t is hoped
esult may be presented early in the next
essiOn Of Congress, when estimates for the
OF the work will be submitted.
Z. improvement of Red Fish Bar, IN Gal
deepening and lengthenlng the
ut through Red Fish bag, to meet the
rowing wants of commerce..
g. Surrey for the location of the terminus
f The Fort ST. Philip Canal under the lee
+ Sable Isldnd.-The survey of 1871 and
so gave the data for considering the loca-
lon, except, first, borings and soundings
long the line of probable location of the
runk of the canal; and second, for Enclosure
Grand bay. These are now given by
aptain Howell.
Captain Howell was charged with and
as completed the following surveys:
OF the Neches and Angelina rivers,
exas; Pascs goula harbor. Mississippi;
ntrance of Matagorda bay and the channel
Indianola, Texas; Bayou Lafourche,
ouisiana, from the LatOurche Crossing to
le mouth; from the mouth of Red river
ovid Atchafalaya river to Brashear, Lou |
lana. The survey for connecting the |
land waters along the margin of the Gulf |
f Mexico from DonaldsOnville, Louisiana,
, the Rio Grande, Texas, in compliance
18th the provisions Of the act Of March 3,
s73, is in progress, but owing to its great |
xtent, not yet completed.
Southwest Pass during the year retained
8 normal depth, and was much used for |
ght draft vessels.
Attempts in February and March to pass
eep draft vessels resulted in the usual |
lockade, which was maintained until a
feet had been collected inside |
nd outside the bar.
As during this time PASCAL OOutre afford |
1 q good channel, the parties controlling
10 fleet were finally forced to transfer it to |
ass-s-r Outre, where it passed the bar with |
ut little trouble, as it might have done a |
nnth previous
Leaving Southwest Pass in it's normal |
,nditiOn and improving Pass a-POutre per- |
its course of action that will greatly aid |
preventing blockades, viz: the sending Of |
Il vessels not drawing more than sixteen
.et to the former, and all deeper draft to |
le latter.
In this way rush of vessels at particular |
,asons will be avoided at either pass, and !
reater care can be observed in selecting |
mes and tides for crossing.
For the past few mouths this course has
cen partially followed, the local interests
t Southwest Pass drawing to that place
early all vessels of the lighter drafts,
lille the representatives, in New Orleans,
the commercial interests have insisted on |
aving their deep-draft vessels taken to
ass-a-l Outre.
The result has been very satisfactory.