The New York herald., 1875-09-11
WILL CAPTAIN EADS SUCCEEDP
CAN THE COURSE OF THE FATHER OF WATERS
BE CONTROLLED BY MAN2

l BE CONTROLLED BY AIAN2
To TIE EDITOR OF THE HERALD
There only one Mississippi River other river Is
hke 1t at Its delta and comparisons OF results OF plans
on European rivers will not avail anything Many
practical persons who have studied the subject closely
are Of the opinion that the conning of its be-
tween barriers ettes will have the effect open out
some other Of the passes than the one oper
atod on and even If all the passes were furnished with
jetties and thoroughly fortified with retaining walls
from the head OF the passes to the bars the would
break through its unstable banks further up as wit
messed at this moment at the jump the west bank
and at Dick Cubits Gap on the east bank below the
forts In fact the old river seems to prefer breaking
through anywhere rather than be detected between
BARRIERS and being compelled TO cut itself a deeper
channel through the tough stringy mud on the bar.
And about the time that any jetty system has pro-
crossed far enough amount TO an obstruction TO the
current may expect sold Mississippi TO flank il and
60 out somewhere else. ENGINEER.
ACTION OF THE ADVISORY BOARD OF ENGINEERS.
To EDITOR THK HRRALD:-
The Advisory Board of Engineers assembled, by nvi
taon of Captain James B. Eads, to consider his plans
for the improvement OF tho mouth of the Mississippi,
have acted precisely as the HERALD suggested they
shoud-that is with abundant caution They have
recognized fully the magnitude OF the problem to be
solved in dealing with the majestic forces of tho Missis
sipp even the smallest of the thrco natural passes,
and the which, being navigablo at present,
is least danger OF detriment from mistaken counsels
Tho questions to be decided not only those of
science in hydraulic engineering, but also those OF pc
cuniary interest, and they TO be determined not
through oomplasance to Captain Eads, or compliment
to his friends, but In view OF grave public as well as
private interests at stake,
authorized by act of Congress approved March o
1875, Captain Eads has Undertaken 10 ereae 5asyga
BILE channc, fQA tA9 largest CLASS Of vessels 'be
tween the South Fass Of tho Mississippi River
and the Gulf of Mexico,n on the unusual condition
that he is to be compensated only in the event of
success. Twenty feet depth of over South Pass
bar will be ve feet in of the average channels
have had through the natural outlets of the Misss-
sppi and this depth with width of 200 feet Captain
Eads is required to before he will get dollar of
payment from the government The government has
nothing at risk he has everything Hence the Board
had to consider not only how the South Pass could be
enectualy improved by the jety system but also how
it should be treated in order to get depth OF twenty
feet with the least outlay and in the shortest time yet
with tho work done as TO have the Substantial and
permanent character" required by the giving him
permission to spend his money for tho public good
An early opening of the mouth of the river being of
very great consequence to the of the Msss
ppi Valley the people of that region have interest
analogous to that of Captain ads in the early attain
ment OF navgable channel The Board, therefore
consulted the public advantage as well that of the
divldua in giving earnest attention to the plans for
speedy work.
That the Board has in tho main cohcufred in
and sustained the plans of Captain Eads is not sur
prsing. He is himself an engineer of acknowledged
ability, and has for years made the phenomena Of the
Mississippi study at its mouth. we'll along its
course from the delta to ST. Louis having for the past
thirty years enjoyed opportunities for its investigation
not equalled by those OF any other engineer In per-
fectng his plans he called to his aid Hon. G. W. r.
Bayley of New Orleans an engineer of high standing
familiar all
attempts to improve it, and also Captain +. l.. Cor
thell, gentleman whose ability in the designing and
construction OF public works is we'll known in the West.
Mr. Bayley Is stationed at New Orleans the resident
engineer OF the South Pass jety works and Captain
Corhcl is chief assistant engineer stationed at the
Pass and also in full charge of the construction of the
works for James Andrews Co., the contractors Col
onel James Andrews the principal of the contracting
firm, last year visited Europe TO examine works OF
similar character, and was so entiAly satisfied that
early success is attainable at the, mouth of the
Mississippi that he resolved put his private for
tune into the enterprise to which being contractor
large experience he has brought that of prac
tical ability which is oen the source of useful suppes
tions to the engineer both to plans and devices
their rapid execution. The location of tho jees and
the methods of construction devised and put opera
ton by Captain Eads with the assistance Of these gen
temcn could hardly fail to be adapted to the conditions
of the mouth of the river and hence the Advisory
Board had not TO act crude and random suggestions
but carefully matured and practical designs.
AS there cannot, in the nature of things be many
good or best ways of treating the problems presented
the Board had the duties OF judges rather than orig
nators, to perform That this duty has been we'll per-
formed no one familiar with the record of tho gentle
mon composing the Board doubt All are engineers
of large and varied experience and all have the
mouth of the Mississippi special study. General Bar
nard, as long ago as 1852 member of board Of
TO be adopted there. General Alexander of
the corps of United States Engineers, ranks de-
scrvedly high for ability and experience, and
| he, together with Mr. sickles, Mr. Whltcomb and
Colonel w. Minor Roberts, all merubers OF the
Government Board Of 1874, and not only made care
ful examination Of the mouth OF the Mississippi but
made special visit to Europe to investigate the method
OF construction and the effects of jetties the mouths
Of European rivers at some twenty of which the sys-
tenn has been applied with the best results. Sir
Charles A. Hartley is known throughout the engineer
ing world as having by the etty system given in
creased depth of channel from average OF nine feet
to twentyone ieet at the suna mouth OF the Danube
achievement recognized by Queen Victoria worthy
| of knghthood which she conferred upon him. A
board so thoroughly qualified to act on the particular
questions presented to them is rarely assembled and
IN accepting thcr conclusions We may indulge the
reasonable trust that the great interior valley of the
| continent WILL in few months, enjoy adequate
channel for its commerce, and that the great will
| flow ''unvcxed to the sea "
1t was novel and bold proposal OF Captain Eads to
create channel depth in advance of any payment, but
whatever lcmerity tho proposal may have had
be equacd by the courage and wisdom OF his action
secure results II was very wise move on his part to
invite advisory board able that recently in ses-
sion in this city, because however perfect his plans and
safe his methods the sanction OF engineers eminent
must strengthen his confidence well that of
his associates and the public 10 increase the depth
across the South Pass bar from its normal measure.
ment Of feet to twenty feet without pay till the
latter depth of channel is secured s proposition
usual that grave doubts to be expected and great
care in plans and methods Imperative. 1t equally
fortunate for the sangune protector Of the work and
the public that the doubts fading and that the
ful and effective plans approved by authority
titled to the highest measure respect Tho sanction
of the Board takes from the work of Captain Eads all
character Of experiment adventure ami shows IL
p'''' '' ENGINEER.
POST OFFICE VENTILATION.