The Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1877-1885, 1877-10-17
UPPER MISSISSIPPI RIVER.
Operations of the Montana During the
Season Of 1877.

Colonel John N. Macomb, corps of
engineers, U. 8. Army, in charge of the |
of the Upper Mississippi
river, has kindly given us permission to
make some extracts from the reports of
Mr.. G. w. Durham. assistant engineer,
who has conducted the operations of the
Montana during the past two seasons. The
Montana was put In commission on June
10th and remained out until October 18th,
~ which day she was dismantled and laid
up for the winter at Kahlke's boat yard.
Her first trip was to st. Paul with Capt
R. R. Wallace, U. S. Navy. light house
inspector in charge of the beaconage of the
Mississippi river on board, and on the way
up some fifty new beacon lights were
established. Until the 22d of August, the
Montana was employed between Montrose
and ST. Paul, 10 removing snags and over
hanging trees, scraping bars and rendering
assistance to stranded steamboats,.
On Aug. 23d she passed through Des
Moines Rapids Canal, being the first boat
to do So From that time until Oct. 1st
she worked between Keokuk and the
mouth OF the Illinois river and removed a
large number of dangerous snags, some of
which had been perilous Instructions for
many years. A good deal of shore clean
ing was performed, notably in such mar
row, dangerous chutes as Slim Island,
Thomas and Westport.
The working party of the Montana has
also made a large number of surveys Of
the shoal bars, particularly IN that part o.
the river between Keokuk and the moutf
of the Illinois river, which has never be
fore been surveyed. Maps and estimate
for Improvement will be made, based upol
these surveys, so that should congress Sc
fit to act upon the recommendation of tn
late river convention, an approximat
: statement of the cost of the necessar
work will be at hand.
Of these bars may be mentioned, War
saw, Waukendon, La Grange, Mario
City, Gilberts, Tully Island. Slim Islam
and Westport, all serious Instructions t
navigation. At the two latter points
great deal of trouble was experience
during the present season, and the Montan
was employed there for some three week
in dredging. snaggiDg and assisting steam
boats. Surveys we're also made at PIT
= Bend, Winona, La Crosse and Oar
Slough. On Oct LIST the Montana starte
up river but owing to shoal water VIZ
9 unable to 60 up higher than Fountai
City. 1t was the intention to construct
! dam for the improvement of Beef Sloug
8 bar, during the present month, but th
: Montana rot being able to reach so hig
and the funds for her maintenance beiD
nearly exhausted, she returned to Roc
Island to winter quarters.
During the season, the plan of number
:, ing the islands in the river was inaugurate
and the enumeration was carried dow
from St. Paul to St. Louis, the numbt
being 534; each island has its numb
placed on the maps, thus taciiitatir
t reference and description, which ha'
st always been matters of difficulty, as We
cew of the islands have authentic name
g Boards three feet square, have been p
Is up in prominent places on great ma
ID of the islands, with the proper numb
D. painted thereon 10 large black figures,
s. the use of pilots and people living in
n. vicinity a large number of chanr
r. marks and buoys, indicating the she
nc crossings. have been established. I
following summary will give al idea of t
by amount aud kind OF work performed
ID the Montana during the season of 1877: