Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-03-17
MEMORIAL TO CONGRESS-.
Al Appropriation Frsna Conwr.s.
Asked for An Order 20 Prevent ahe
nestructi0n Of the Memphis River
ERont,

Al Appropriation FBOnn Congraas
Asked for In Order 20 Prevent ahe
1estr1efton OF the Memphis River
City Engineer Meigs, in accordance
With a resolution Of the General Coun-
Gil, has prepared q memorial to Congress
with reference to an appropriation for
the purpose Of preventing the destruc.
ton of the river front of this port. The
report is quite lengthy and exhaustive,
and from it we take the following items
Of news:
Fer years the river front on the east.
ern bank of the Mississippi has under.
gone a number of destructive abrasions
BY the river. The greatest injury thus
far has been done to the northern half
OF the shore line of the harbor, a dis
lance Of about Eve hundred feet. The
main current is detected from . bend Of
the Arkansas shore above the city and
impinges with great force upon the shore
Of the city. This abrasion has been
going on since 1859. Within a period Of
twenty two years more than twenty two
acres Of ground have been washed away.
This loss embraced forty city lots, occu.
pied 10 part BY cotton warehouse. coal
yard and iron foundry, and its value
may be fairly estimated at $9e, 900.
At present a large coal landing, vaIo-
able oil mills and large buildings on the
vest side Of Promenade street are ia dan.
ger. II the river advances at the same
rate, twenty-five feet yearly, az it has
done for the past eighteen years, in all
probability the entire steamboat landing
of the city will bs eugulfed. aud the
landing alone has cost toe city s2l5, 900.
1t is hardly possible to estimate the 10.
jury that would result from all this. The
submerged river bank at the landing ex.
tending frem the foot Of the pavement
to the tough clay is constantly wearing
away BY the rapid undercdrrsut. The
length Of the slluvial bank COW requir.
ing protection is 1900 feet northward
from Beal street. The greatest depth of
water is found near the Memphis shore,
ranging from SO to IS feet at low water,
and these depths are found at distances
from the shore varying from 80 to 2O5
feet. The engineering expenses Of this
undertaking protecting the river 'front.'
is far beyond the present means Of the
city, and therefore Congress is respect
fully asked to make an appropriation
for an immediate survey OF the harbor
OF Memphis by the United States engi.
neer corps, so that the statements made
in the memorial may be verified aud the
work Of protection commenced before it
is too late.
The city of Memphis is the third cot
ton port Of the United States and stands
at the head Of deep water navigation Of
the Mississippi river. Its business trans
actions with Western Tennessee and
Kentucky, Eastern Arkansas, Northern
Mississippi, and with the cities Of Gin
c%innsti, Louisville, st. Louis, Little Rock
and New Orleans are of great magni.
tude hence the necessity OF aid to pro-
tect the landing, as it's destruction will
cause great injury to the interests of the
districts and cities above mentioned, etc.
In addition to the memorial, above set
forth in brief, an accompanying state-
ment contains authentic information as
to the commerce, manufactures, trade
and financial condition Of Memphis.
We understand the memorial will be
sent of tomorrow morning to Hon.
Casey Young, member Of Congress from
thir district, who will present the me-
mortal Immediately.