New Orleans Republican. [volume] (New Orleans, La) 1867-1878, 1875-10-26

GULF OF MEXICO, FROM DoNALDsoNvILLE,
IN LOUISIANA, TO THE RIO GRANDE RIVER,
IN TEXAS, BY CUTS AND CANALS.
In selecting the route followed on this
survey, it was proposed to utilize the
navigable bayOus, lakes, bays and
sounds or lagOons near the coast, and make
the cuts, connecting them along the short
est lines available.
The work was divided into four sections
and three parties were put into the field.
Section I-Extending from Donaldson
vile to the head of Vermilion bay, is COM
mercially the most important section of
the proposed navigation. 1t will offer
the parishes of st Martin, Lafayette,
Iberia, St. Mary, Terrebonne, Latourche,
Western 1berville and Southeastern st. Lam
dry, through the net work of lakes and
bayous covering those parishes which it will
tap, an excellent water connection with the
Mississippi river in place of the long or Oh
structed routes available at seasons of the
year through the Atchafalaya and La.
fourche, or the outside route through the
Gulf.
Section H-Extending from the head of
VermiliOn Bay, Louisiana, to Galveston,
aside from the value it may have 1.-THE first
section completely as furnishing an inland
route for through traffic from the Missis-
sippi to Galveston, is of more importance
on account of affording a route connecting
the Mermenton. Calcasieu, Sabine and Ne
chees rivers with the Mississippi on the east,
and with Galveston harbOr on the west.
Section Ui.-From Galveston to the Bra
zos river has already been improved, with
q view of giving three foot navigation, by
cuts through the reefs in West Galveston
Bay and in Oyster Bay, and by cut
through the ridge separating Oyster Bay
from the Brazos river.
Section IE-From the Brazos river to the
Rtn aud l,of a = thA
tending from the Brazos river to lndianola
harbor in its general features is very much
like the portion of the route just east OF the
+ Brazoa, and, like the latter, channel made
along it may be expected to be conpara-
lively permanent. From Indianola harbor
to the Rio Grande the excavation along the
route will be principally through lagoons
obstructed by sand bars Cuts through
many of these bars would, no doubt, be
partially, if not completely, retlled by the
first severe storm sweeping over them. 1t
is very evident that no benefit would be de-
rived from cuts through such bars to con-
meet the navigable pools between them.
Apparently. the only feasible project for
| inland navigation along this portion Of the
section will be one for a tide water canal,
| following along the coast line. The length
| of this canal would be about 1893 miles.
From the lower end of the Msdre lagoon
| to the Rio Grande, distance of about
three and o hall miles, the proposed nav1-
| cation will be- by cut through land averag-
ing about three feet in height. At the Rio
Grande end of the cut will be required a
| lock.
At the Mississippi end of the route various
| modes of connection are suggested and dis
cussed, preference being given to a total
closure OF Bayou Lafourche (which is in
significant as an outlet for the Mississippi
during foods), the excavation of a basin
near the river, and transfer of freight by
means of suitable tramways and elevators.
| The report gives detailed estimates for
the work, and is accompanied by thirteen
large charts showing the results of the sur
vev and details of plans suggested.
| The following are the estimates Of cost
per section:
Section one. s 653 705 90
SecllOn tWo...,. 2,b9b9 10
seCtlOn ZlEli4 9U
Section four, by canal. 3,416644 90
| IN