The New Orleans daily Democrat., 1877-04-27
,URYEYOR'R OFFICE.

ming at Canal street. and extending down.
The parts OF wharf now occupied by police sta
ton. amounting to about sixty squares should be
rebuilt. Filling should also be done to continue
the line thereof di-ectly across the Canal street
ferry.
Between the prolongation OF Canal and Gus
tomhouse streets is bad settlement, which
ing, this wharf and the levee back of it will be
in good order, excepting the front, which is badly
out Of repair.
The same may be said of the condition of this
wharf down to that occupied by the Cromwell
Steamship Company.
The wharf occupied by these ships is still in
| good order
The steamship whsrves below, extending to
M2rgan's ferry, need repairs OF planking.
Immediately below Morgan's is section OF
| about seventy squares, which needs entire re-
building, opposite the Beef Market Opposite
the mead OF Dumaine street, also, one hundred
squares should be rebuilt. In fact, the entire
wreck or settlement, and should have general
and thorough oysrhauling at least The extreme
lower end ls in good order, il above high water.
The levee along here in many parts, also, needs
attention.
Post l6 needs entire rebuilding.
Post II should be raised and new piles put
under it.
Post ls is now in good order, but the levee in
the vicinity needs oare
Post 10 is in good order.
| Post % should be entirely rebuilt.
Post "a should have one.quarter rebuilt, the
| balance being in fair ORDER
Post rs to be entirely rebuilt.
| Post 26 to be entirely rebuilt.
| Post 27 to be half rebuilt
| Post % in pretty good order.
Post 70 to be entirely rebuilt.
Post 30 needs raising, but otherwise is in good
order.
| The Liverpool wharf should be entirely rebuilt
| Most ali OF these wharfs. from Picayune Tier
| down. particularly below Espanade street, have
been rebuilt this year, while many have been
| blocked up afterwards, one two and three times
The caving along this part of the city front has
been 80 excessive during the past season that it
has been impossible to keep the wharves in order
1t is to be expected, however, that the i'm
mense masses OF bank that have slid into the
river have established slope that viii stand for
many years.
The work in this and the foregoing reports con-
ssts OF four kinds: piling, framing and panking,
filling, shelllng and ballasting.
All framing and planking, ballastng Ind she'll
ing can be prosecuted to much advantage no
matter what the height Of the water. when the
wharves are least loaded with freight these kinds
OF WORK could then be most properly commenced
during the month OF May. aud should be pushed
with such vigor as to have the wharves complete,
in these two respects, by the time that the water
falls sufficiently to allow the filing and the pile
driving to commence.
[ therefore respectfully recommend that all
surface repairs, including caps, stringers, plank,
ballast and shells, be commenced immed ately;
30 thas on the fall OF the water the entire energy
and means of the contractors may be turned to-
wards rebul ding the wharves of this Third Dis
trlct come in the Second District, and towards
the extension OF many in the First District above
the Chattanooga yard, to secure sufficient water
to make them available for large class of vessels
Respectfully submitted,
J. a. D'HEMEOOURT,
City Surveyor.
Mr.. Brown laid before the Council the follow
tv,sr ,v,;u IL
spread on the minutes:
NEW ORLEANS, March 26, 1877.
To the Hon. Mayor and Administrators of the
City Of New Orleans:
Gentlemen - The undersigned lessee of the
wharves and landings, respectfully informs your
honorable body that he has received communi-
cation dated the 24th iust., from the Administra-
tors OF Commerce and Improvements in relation
to the condition Of the wharves and landings in
which he Is notified that unless certain repairs
etc. are Immediately made by the lessee, they
will cause them to be made at his cost and ex-
pense.
IL has only been few weeks eince had occa-
sion to inform the Council Of the great damage
which had occurred to the wharves and leyee by
caving, proouced by the extreme low stage Of the
river. This caving swept away an immense
amount of work-new wharves, bukheads and
levees constructed during last summer, fall and
winter.
In that communication stated that the re.
pairs needed would be made, and since then
have had a force constantly at work doing all
such repairs as were necessary to be done at pres.
ent, deferring to the usual and proper time, when
the wharves are not occupied and the river is at
the right stage, to make the permanent work
which can then be better performed. There are
more good wharves now than kre occupied, and
the amount OF shipping is daily declining. To
rebuild wha! yes and levees now would bs to incur
the risk OF having them destroyed before they
would be demanded by the wants Of commerce.
beg leave to request that the Council will cali
upon the City Surveyor and the Assistant City
Surveyor, under whose direction the work was
executed. to furnish detailed statement of the
work done by me, at an immense cost, duriap
and since last summer. The work was we'll done.
but no hing could Withstand the unprecedented
cavng, and very large portion of the repairs
and bu !ding will have to be done over again.
would also beg leave to draw the attention of
your honorable body to the fact that great dam
age is caused to the wharves bv the neglect of
the city officials to enforce the ordinances prohb.
lting drays, carts and other vehicles from driving
ton and other freight thereon, which endangers |
their safety, and to ask that these ordinances, so
essential TO the preservation of the wharves, be |
strictly enforced.
Owing to the nature Of the disasters which
have lately bsfalen the wharves, 1t may become |
expedient to change the location of some of the |
and to adopt other changes looking to |
their safety and permanency. This can be better |
ascertalned ana more lntellgenty acted upon
when the proper season for permanent work ar
rives.
Very respectfully,
HENRY ELLERMAN, Lessee.
The following report was read and ordered |
spread on the minutes:
NEW ORLEANS, April "a. 1877.
To the Hon. Mayor and Administrators of the CITY
of New Orleans:
to direct attention to the bad condition Of yery
large portion of the wharves OF the city, and the
approaches to the same and after cursory ex-
amir alton, in company with the Admins rator Of
upon The latter officer to make detailed survey
Of the whole wharf front. This report from the
Surveyor has just now been rendered, and have
the honor to submit the same for your careful
1t will be observed that the examination has
developed condition equally as bad as had