The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1877-11-06

pass III anu InTOuBn TUE bAlues 4ueIe
will be placed say three gates, one at each
end and one in the middle, which
lock can be used for large or small toWs
as desired, Each Of these gates will be
constructed in one long sliding gate, 10
run the entire length between the walls.
On the shore side the wall will be 80 con.
structed aS to admit the entire gate in the
inside, q distance Of 100 feet back from
the lock wall. The gates will be about
four feet thick and eight or ten feet deep,
In the construction oil this gate II will be
built upon three truSses turned upon
their aals, and planked up and down. It
will be securely bolted through the
srusses as usual 10 make them sufficiently
strong to overcome the pressure Of water.
The gate upon the bottom will also have
support against groove or rabbit, con-
strurted for the purpose. This, with the
supporting recess in each side Of the wall
at the end Of the gates, will be deemed
sufficiently ample Tor its protection. On
the bottom Of these gates will be placed
rollers, so constructed as to run upon an
iron rail placed upon the bottom Of the
lock. This gate can be opened and
shut easily. It will be opened and ahut
by chains made fast on the bottom OF each
side and end OF the gate running across
TO the opposite wall through an a6justa'
bic iron pulley and back through the
shore wall up to suitable double acting
steam power drums. The gate will be
brought back in q similar manner. These
chains always rest upon the bottom Of the
river Theinlet and outlet Of water in
these locks-Nillb be by slide or square bal.
ance valves.
With this description Of the lock l will
try and explain as we'll a. l can the
working Of the adjustable dam. First
the adjustable dam will be constructed in
the following manner:
The dam will commence on the outer
lock wall, cay about the middle, 800 feet
from each end, and run out TO where it
may be most desirable for boats to pass
through. An opening will then commence
in the dam OF about 400 feet, You then
start on the same Incl a strong pier OF
dam wall running from there to the OPP
posite shore from the locks. In this 400
feet opening is constructed series oil
wickets about 5 feet wide, 8 or 10 feet
long, strongly built Of wood or iron,
Each wicket is placed side by side for the
entire 400 feet. Each wicket is taken
care otby its own horse or post, which il
made Of round iron and about 6 feet long
with double working joints at each end
One end is made securely fast near the
middle Of the wicket, and the other rest
ing and bolted fast in a prepared place
in the bottom OF the river. Between
the two working joints Of this horse OIL
post, is placed an iron brace also
with working joint. This rod Of iror
is for brace, being Of sufficient length
that when the horse or post is standing
perpendicular with the wicket resting or
4 horizontal line with the surface Of the
river the heel OF the brace will rest in q
notch provided for it in the bottom OF the
river, standing at an angle OF about 4:
degrees. This wicket at this junction i:
ready TO be tipped down at the end, which
when done, is caught by the current and
brought down to the bottom Of the river
and strikes place constructed to receive
it, which, when done, the wicket will resi-
at an angle say ::of 2degrees, supported
by this post and brace. This manner il
continued clear through the entire open,
ing in the dam. After these wickets are
closed in the manner set forth, and
in case it becomes necessary from q
rise in the river TO let down the wickets
shalt running out from each pier OF
wall OF the dam for distance Of 200 feet
is so constructed along the bed Of the
river With eccentric movements upon il
under the heel Of these braces that sup.
port the Wickets that by proper machin.
cry at each OF these pier walls these braces
can be triPped in few minutes, letting
all the wickets fall back in the bed OF the
river, where the post, brace and wicket
have proper places provided for them.
Again, in the manner Of raising these
Wickets, when it becomes necessary, which
is only when the river gets down 10 four
or FIVE feet Of water in the channel, the fol.
lowing plan is proposed to be adopted
There will be a suitable boat provided
Tor the purpose, held by a line and anchor
upon the upper side Of this wier or open.
ing, which by the aid Of few men with
proper pole or hook will catch the
wicket at the upper end and raise the
same on its post, until the brace falls into
its place and so continue to the compile.
tion Of all the wickets.
may say here in attempting to ex.
plain this contrivance in writing that it
seems good deal complicated, but where
it has been thoroughly tried in rivers
similar 10 the Ohio, as in France and
Germany, it is found to work we'll. These
wickets are only used when the river is
low. When it is up and in time Of ice
they are always down in their proper
places, and are so arranged that ice and
DRIFT cannot diSturb them. In such a
low water season IS We have had the last
four months, they would have been in
constant use, and steamers and harses
would have been passing through the
locks. There would be times when they
mightnot have to be used for six months,
The passage Of boats up and down through
this 400 feet opening, when the river Is
at o. above a i've feet stage, will not, in
my judgment, be INSTRUCTED or interiered
with. The water will at all times concen.
trate and naturally draw TO this opening
with but little additional current. /
hope by the aid Of the government this
proposed improvement RiIl be made 4
grand snccesS. JoHS McLURE,
Commissioner.
P.S.-Since writing the above have
seen a letter from Col. Merrill in regard
to the delay in commencing the proposed
dam al Davis Island. He explains that
he has been kept back by the iormalities
required BY the laws OF the United States
in regard 10 the acquisition Of property
for government uses, and that as soon a.
these are perfected the work will com.
mence in earnest and be prosecuted with
energy. J, Mel.