The Wheeling daily register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1864-1878, 1877-09-07
W. VA- FRIDAY MORNING. SEPTEMBER T. 1877
Board of Steam Navigation

w.
o'clock. Captain B. S. Osborn, record
ing secretary, submitted MS report for
1876, which, on motion, was accepted
and filed. Captain Sherlock, from the
Executive Committee, in-his report sub.
mitted statement that no progress has
been made toward obtaining the legisls-
tion required for the relief OF the steam
navigation interests of the United States.
The committee earnestly recon-
mend that vigorous effort be
made at the coming session OF Congress,
with all the influence of those composing
the National Board, to secure the amend
ments to the steamboat law sought for
the past six years. Capt. Copeland Of
ferred an amendment to Mr.. Goulds reso-
luton of yesterday, which requires that
matters of local interest, though genera |
In their character, when brought before
the board shall be referred to special
committee Of five members, selected be-
cause OF their familiarity with all the
facts and conditions surrounding the
matter presented. The amendment
also provides for general com
mittee of five to consider the
reports of the special committees.
The amendment was adopted.
Capt. Brown submitted the report of
the committee on the propriety of re-
moving the rocks and widening the
channel at Louisville, KY. The commit
tee consider it practicable and in every
way advantageous to the marine interest
of the Ohio and Mississippi rivers and
their tributaries, by giving an aggregate
depth of water and Offering a more
speedy and safe transit through
dangerous part of the river be-
tween the Northern and Southern ports.
The cost of this most necessary improve
ment, the committee estimated would
not exceed $4,000. Captain Vsrble, OF
Louisville, stated that the committee had
had u draft prepared, showing the i'm
provements suggested TO the Falls. He
referred TO the fact that the pilots had at
their own expense widened the char mel
to forty-eight feet. 1t is proposed to
remove the side ledges of the Falls, thus
widening the channel l30 feet, and Civ
ing a greater depth also of two leet. He
called attention to the fact that frequent
ly on run boats are detained at the
Falls forty eight to sixty hours at great
expense, and If this Improvement
is made boats can pass over the fal s
without the slightest delay. Relative to
the method to be pursued in obtaining
the means TO make these Improvements,
there is now in the fund from the receipts
of tolls at the canal $4,000 surplus not
in use, and he believed that if General
Weitzel is consulted, advantage may be
taken of the present .ow water to secure
the Improvements to the lslls.
Capt. L. w. Gould said he hoped some
of the delegates interested in navigation
of the Mississippi river would present a
plan for the improvement OF that great
highway.
Captain John bravo and Gen. j. X.
Moorehead spoke of the success OF
the Eads jetty system, and the latter said
that he wanted the system introduced
up the Mississippi as far as Csiro. He
agreed with Captain Gould that the
Mississippi should be improved from the
mouth OF the Missouri to New Orleans,
and said he believed this could be done
by the jetty system.
Captain r. Ii. Voolfolk offered res
olution for the appointment of commit
tee of five to take into consc GRAFTON the
question of improving the Mississippi
liver from the mouth Of the Missouri
river to New Orleans.
In accordance with the suggestion of
Capt Gould, the resolution WAS adopted.
and the chairman appointed Captains
4. w. Gould, John A. Bofger, John Z.
Kesn, OF st. Louis; N. M. Jones, Mem
phis, and Geo. II. Kerk, Now Orleans.
Mr.. Robert Semple offered the follow
ing, which was adopted
ResoLued. That committee of five be
appointed to consider the prscticsbility
and probable expense OF removing the
bars In the Ohio, river which interfere
with navigation, and report to the Board
at its next annual meeting.
Cspt. Vsrble presented the following
resolution, which was adopted
ResoLoed, That i! is the judgment of
the National Board of Steam Navigation
That the present charges for licenses to
officers OF steam vessels are unfair and
onerous, and that the Executive Com
mittee be instructed to use its best efforts
TOR their reduction.
Mr.. II. w. Hart, of st. Louis. offered
the following:
ResoLped, That the light house
service as adopted on our west
ern rivers is of indispensable
service to the interests of nsvigst on, and
the convention earnestly recommend to
Congress that the appropriation to this
branch of the public service shall be pro.
portioned 10 each district.
The resolution was adopted.
Mr.. Hart explained that the govern
ment WAS about 10 make some changes
which would be adverse 10 nsvi-
CATION, and which would likely be pre-
vented by the timely action OF the Ma.
tional Board.
At 2:3O o'clock the Board adjourned
till BPM
The board met again at P. NJ. and
the resolution offered by Gen. Negley,
calling for committee or three 10 IN
vestigste the light and signal service
now applied TO the lake and river nsvi-
cation, ana to report such suggestions as
will improve the service, was taken up
and adopted, and the chair named as
such committee Gen. Negley, Henry NJ.
Hart and r. S SempIe.
Capt. R. s. Semple offered resolution
providing for the holding OF the next
annual meeting at the Grand Hotel, Gin
cinnsti.
Mr.. Sherlock said that heretofore
he had never urged Cincinnati as
q place of meeting. Heretofore
they had nothing to show out Spring
Grove Cemetery and the Lulstic Asy-
lum. They had now some other amuse-
ments, and would heartily welcome the
Board. The resolution was adopt.
After eulogy on the deceased members
OF the Board, the thanks OF the Board
were rendered the citizens generally for
their hospitality, and 70 Mr.. CrOsssn for
the use OF the rooms where the Board
WAS sitting
Csntsin Gould made few remarks on