Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1877-09-12

upon the author and attracting critica
attention of the most profound thinkers
ROW TO PROTECT THE LEvEE.
Memphis has at last a magnificent
levee paved with stone, one Of the finest,
in fact, to be found on toe Western rivers.
When the contractors finish laying the
stone pavement, as they will in q few
days, the rivers front will present an ad-
mirAble appearance. The entire paved
front is nearly twelve hundred feet in
length by a depth Of two hundred. The
depth Of grading at the upper end of the
landing recently done, has been about
fifteen feet. All this magnificent i'm.
provement has been made within the last
two years, at a cost Of not lels than $780,
900. The work, as far as we can see, is
unexceptionable, out unfortunately, be-
fore finished it begins to sink and tum.
Bile into the river on the froht edges.
This is particularly noticeable between
Jefferson and Court extended, where the
river is very deep near the shore, and the
bank continually crumbles in, carrying
with it portions Of the new levee. About
fifty yards out from shore and a little
below the foot Of Jefferson lie the wrecks
Of two old steamboats,. Rock has been
thrown in until in time Of low water,
some time since, a person could walk
over the shoal to the wrecks. The re-
moval Of a portion Of the stone more re.
Gently diverted the channel nearer to the
shore and consequently the bank is going
faster than usual. 1t is evident that
something must be done, and that quick.
ly. The city engineer, We understand,
and others have been looking at it and
have united in the opinion that the surest
and cheapest plan will be to drive two
rows of piles from the bank to the
wrecks, at some distance apart, and fill
the space between and on each side
With stone. This will in time fill
over with q deposit of mud, a
solid bridge will thus be formed
throwing the current SO far out
toward the center of the river that it
cannot strike the bank again until far
below the elevator, thus creating an
eddy along the entire river front used
for landing and wharfage purposes. To
prevent the banks from further falling
in it is proposed to riprap the entire
levee front instead Of driving piles,
which only splits Of SO much Of the
bank and prepares the way for caving
in. This method has been adopted in
various parts of Europe with entire
success. The stone when thrown into
the river at the weak points settles down
and forms a solid prop at the base of the
bank and prevents further slides or cav.
ing. 1t seems like a simple, common.
senso proposition and has worked we'll
elsewhere. Now as to the cost and ex.
pediency Of this plan. 1t will, accord.
ing to the best estimates, cost from
five to seven thousand dollars to put
down the piles aud rip-rap the levee
front. If successful it will save a .evee
that has cost nearly six times as much
within The last two years, to say nothing
Of the immense cost in former years and
the great saving to our river trade in
future. All money collected as wharf.
age goes to keep the wharf in repair
The cheaper it can be done the lower We
fix wharfage and the greater encourage.
ment and facilities is offered our local as
well as the transient packets. The river
trade has to compete with railroads and
it is a sound and wise policy to make it
as free as possible, as it is the great right
arm Of our commerce. II the plan pro.
posed for protecting cur river front is
found practicable upon full consider
ton, as we are inclined to think it will,
the sooner it is put into operation the
better. The money comes entirely from
the wharfage fund paid in by steamboats,
ADD does not cost the city a cent by di.
rect taxation. We hope the subject may
receive prompt and careful attention by
the city authorities.