The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1875-02-04

wosld bs about twenty-five years. This time
ab De oy twS s II ss5S
@ ss'' ,sss ''s:ss az s
triputed over several years. and as the South Pass
carries about % OO0 600 cubic yards OF sediment
S0OO 900 Yards cannot be relatively large Second,
at and below the point where IL Is proposed
ishes very as It is con by $40 WY widen.
Ing channel, while. when the jetties are completed
and the channel secured out the water issuing n
velocity more rapidly and forming q sleeper sea
ward Slope the bottom than now exists at yne
upper eGd OF the proposed dikes. This sleeper
slope seaward T. ON the 80 feet OF water between
the jetties would give shoal OF % feet at : as-
lance VI less than 1900 feet and In period OF less
than TWENTY-FIVE years.
termine the precise time. Dlherent estimates made
by this me thod, and others oy dinsrent members
Oeen assumed for the PURPOSE s Of In ten
years. then. it Is assumed that the Jetrles Will
nave to be heightened 200 ieet. AS shoal: will
been assumed that the extension Will be In water
averaging fifteen feet IN depth.
head OF South Pass with but seventeen feet Of
water on 1t. At present this snoa 10 securing out.
a. tue sSoaiess point below in the Pass, the CON-
structton OF dixie to denect moro water into IL
msSs % ss
It might tecome necessary to put an apron on
the bottom and sides OF the Pass, its head to
Estimates OF the cost 0! the jetries and OF the
works which may be needed at the head or toe
First cost or jetties 1t mouth Of South
Pass, Of dredging, and OF works at head
Averages Vs annual cost Of extension. inciud
ing removal OF mud Jumps should they
rise. SlSo,ooo. which, explained at I'VE
per cent, gives. ...................... 100000
Cost OF construction ana maintenance OF
Improvement ....:.............~.... s7,o4a,ll
improving the southwest Pass, the result ofwhich
FIRST cost OF improving Southwest Pass
by letties.. 81. 2Ss. l24
100000. which, capitalized at I'VE per
cent 1900, 900
Sum required to Improve and maintain
n.-NErHoD REcoxMENDED. ''''' 80
The Board has now given plans and estimates
for Improving the mouth OF the Mississippi either
by canal or by opening one or the natural out
which plan is preferable. Leaving cost aside for
tie moment, and assuming tnat one plan can be az
Is no question that the Improvement OF the South
Pass would be best. 1t would give good sea en-
Wdf ao0 sn 200 es Tde and wn%u%
width OF the canal would be about 800 ieet. 1t
would oner no locks iable to do or suffer injury
P0ooo8C
would give an ample unobsrructed waterway 10
commerce in place Of . narrow and INSTRUCTED
one.
II the question OF cost and maintenance be con.
sidered We have for the canal $1l.6lA2oo against
Inc only remaininc ' question is whether the two
plans can pc executed and maintained ct about
For the canal the difdcult points are to maintain
e coner dam and secure . stable foundation on
which to build the masonry. BY proper examine
cofrer dams can DO maintained. and although the
masses OF masonry are heavier than any which
nave n Dssn pus N sn.s region Without settling Il
settling would be prevented. fns Board is. there.
tore o. opinion that the canal can be built at the
10 the Improvement Of the South Pass The dim.
cult points are the control II the water entering
Of channel At i!s head and the execution and
maintenance Of that part OF the jetttss lying out
method or control OF the water at the head Of
tue south Pass must be learned mainly by trial,
rsady on sRs s Il sae FSs so
o SnS an 4 O. The ss me
b. sns ~. e
heavy storms, either on the jetties themselves or
o. sns ns.ssial On which they rsat ana rom Get:
inorsass 10 estimate. Indeed. Il 10 Of opinion
30 reduced thus isssenine the cost. II the jstnss
prolonged ~ becomes necessary, the Board nae
no doubt that the desired depth viii Dc Obtained.
It. therefore. reoommends tnat the South Pass OF
the 1iselaslppt River % improved b. the plaa
The Board concludes irs report with the recon.
mendetton that II CongresD decides TO open one
Of the passes Of the rlvsr the entire sum
pristed ct once, or In some way be made avail.
Ii the mouth Of the river il TO be improved By
pushed 40 rapidly a. possible 20 lis entire COM
pletl0n.
The Board IL OF opinion that the works II pro-
poses for the Improvement Of the South Pass can
be completed In three years.
Respectfully submitted,
Lieutenanf Colonel OF Engineers, Brevet Brgadier
~ ~ Q. B. coMsrocK.
Major OF Engineers and Brevet Brgadier General
HENRY MlTCHELL,
United States Coast survey.
~ E. SlCKLES.
w. MINOR ROBERTS.
h. D. WHITCOMB.
THE MINORITY REPORT.
concur IN 30 much O. the report as refers to the
system Of Improvement, II that system Is to be
adopted; also. TO the plans and estimates for both
canal and 1etties; but az, In my Judgment, the
chances OF success OF an attempted Improvement
Of any one OF the natural outlets OF the river do
not justly the Recommendation OF the Boaid,
have withheld my signature from the report.
Il an adequate ana permanent channel could be
obtained at any one OF the passes It would, no
douDt, be preferable to the proposed canal
As the ship canal projec' does, IN my Judgment,
ofYer reasonable chances OF success must give
1nS Ss sn: Ss., oyer the pyGs
Lieutenant Colonel OF Engineera
Brevet Major General.
secretary Of War, Washington, D. O.
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