Nashville union and American. [volume] (Nashville, Tenn.) 1868-1875, 1874-07-23
HARPETH SHOALS.
Some Interesting Facts I'm Relation
TheretO-what the Government Has
Done and is Doing TO Improve that
Point.

TheretO-What the Government Has
Done and Is Doing 10 Improve that
Point
4 UNION AND AMERICAN representative
interviewed Capt. l.. e. Ovennan, of the
United States Engineer Corps, yesterday,
i'm order to learn something with regard To
the improvements now being made by the
Government at Barpeth Shoals. Upon
being informed of the reporters designs
upon him, the Captain submitted with good
grace, and said he was willing to tell what
he knew about said Improvements.
"When did the Government fist take
charge of this work." inquired our repre-
sentative.
THE first survey was made in September
and October, 1870, a thorough examination
of the river from Nashville to its mouth
being made in that time" was the reply,
ssand the cost Of making the Improvements
desired. was estimated At 100000. Thus
far, however. only $4,000 have been ap-
propriated and consequently the improve
ments have been somewhat of a temporary
character
"When was the first appropriation
made?'
.In March, 1871, at which time $4,000
was appropriated. In June of the following
year an additional appropriation Of $4,000
was made, and in March, 1913, $4,000
more was appropriated. In 1871 a contract
for removing portion of the obtructi0n al
HaIpeth Shoals was awarded Mr.. John
MatiOx, but before completing his con
tract he died. Pinkney l.. Dews, Of this
city, was awarded a contract under the
second appropriation with the understand
ing that he was to complete his work by
the fall of 1873, but owing to the cholera
last year and other causes, che has not COM
pleted it vet, having about $1,000 worth of
work to do yet, his contract having been
extended 10y the Government.
"When the last appropriation was made,
Maj. Mcfarland, who had charge Of this
district. recommended the abandonment Of
the contract system, and the Government
| doing the work by the day labor system,
which recommendation was adopted, and
| the day-labor system has been followed
since Nov. !, 1873. Since that time the
| Government has kept an average of 80
hands employed, and Mr.. Dews has kept 10
men at work on an average"
"What is the nature Of the improve
ments?"
"As said before, the work can only be
| temporary and is Of no service during high
lion of wing dams, which serve to throw
the water into the deepest channel. Then
something has been done in the moving Of
rocks, where the water was very shallow.
If the full appropriation of 100000 for the
entire river could have been secured, the
| depth of water on these shoals would have
been increased from six inches, as at pres
| ent, to three feet. Harpeth shoals is a sue
cession of rocky ledces and gravel bars, re-
spectively known as Flax Patch Bar, Har-
peth Island, Sycamore Creek, Har-
| peth River Bar and Reeds Reef. These
| Instructions have been regarded as among
| the most serious on the river and extend
distance Of about four and a half miles.
| The Government did some work here in
| 1854, but the dams constructed at that
| time are greatly in want of repairs, as OPEN
| ings have been made in them by fisher
men, in order to secure passage for their
canoes
"When will this improvement be COM
| pleted?'
.There is about 81, 900 yet on hand to
be expended. and l think the work will be
completed by the LIST of December next.
| You might say, for the benefit Of your
| readers, that survey has been ordered of
| Rock river, Kentucky, and also Of Smiths
| shoals, in the upper Cumberland. This is
| a mater which will interest the business
men of Nashville, on account Of the i'm
menSc tobacco trade of the upper Cumber-
land"
Here the interview terminated.