The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1877-10-03
THE NEW ORLEANS DEMOCRAT WEDNESDAY, OCTOBER s. 1877

than two wheels, and even when working the two
wheels for few hours IL sometimes becomes
necessary to stop the wheels and await the COM
Ing OF the water to the machines.
- propose the following The removal of the
| Mepomene drsining machine to point on the
Metairie ridge and the upper line canal where it
can be placed on side canal by placing its wheels
at such height rs would divide the lifting power
necessary to overcome the difference Of level be-
tween the waters on the inside and the waters
on the outside Of the wheel. The efficacy of the
Dublin Avenue draining machine can be
largely increased by allowing 1t to work at all
| stages OF the water. The draining machine, as
placed on the upper line protection levee, would
only be required to work at high water. In low
| water the Dublin avenue machine you'd work
| alone, forcing the water through the flood gates
which are 10 be placed in oil canals crossing the
| ridges We're two pipes oil the same diameter SIS
| those l propose placing under the Carondelet
canal placed under the New canal, enc at the in
terseotion of Broad street and the other at the
! intersection Of Hsgan Avenue, the three drain
ing machines OF he lower section would again
prove OF great service Ia assisting the drainage
of this section. BY the above change that por-
tail-race canal (Which would then become q
draining cansl, the New canal, Claiborne street
and Oarrolltou Avenue will be perfectly drained,
while at present it is subject to constant over
flows.
In addition to the tunnels or iron pipes which
have spoken of, IL will be necessary TO dig come
draining canals to quickly connect the water of
the upper section to the lower section, where it
will flow naturally.
1t IL my firm conviction that we're the improve
ments above mentioned be put into execution,
the drainage Of the whole city will be greatly
benefited.
In my opinion. the improvements TO be done to
secure the first line of protection and drainage
ought to be carried in the following manner:
l. The building of locks and flood gates in all
canals crossing the ridges.
Q. The building OF the lower line protection
levees.
8. The building Of food gate in the lower
line protection levee at Bayou Bienvenu
4. The shifting of the Bienville draining ma
chine to the ridge.
g. The placing of tunnel across Carondeet
canal at Broad street, and across the New canal
at Broad street.
6. The shifting of the Melpomene machine to
upper line canal on the Metairie Ridge, to act as
assistant to the Dublin Avenue draiuir machine.
T. The building Of q draining machine on the
ridge at intersection OF Peoples Avenue.
g. Connection of Marigny and Florida canals.
o. Digging OF the canals from Claiborne to
Florids Avenue canal through Washington and
Lafayette Avenues. and through Poland street.
III. Place two other tunnels, one across the
Carondeet canal A. Gslvez street, and one ACROSS
the New canal at Hsgan Avenue.
IL. The building OF double draining machine
at the angle OF the lower line protection levee
with the Florida Avenue levee.
Id. Inc keeping IN OTQer OF al the leV6eS
the Mississippi rs far up az kennerville.
When all this will have been done, and thor
ough protection and drainage be effected for that
portion OF the city extending as far back a. the
ridges, the second line Of protection and drain
age will then call our attention.
The first work to be done is the saving from
utter destruction Of that magnificent embank-
ment built q few years ago from the upper protec-
ton levee to the New canal and which was par
italy destroyed during the late storm.
ia md t,1o he
outside OF the footing OF said embankment
double row Of close piling tround piles to be
used). The two rows to be placed two and half
feet apart, and bound together by means Of iron
which will be plsced below the surface of the
lowest water. The space between the two rows
OF piling to be filed with fasoines and ballast,
thus forming at the same time breakwater and
9 non-caving barrier against the fury Of the
water.
In order to complete this second line OF protec-
ton and drainage Of New Orleans devised by W.
e. Bell. Esq formerly City Surveyor, would
recommend that the close piling above mentioned
be constructed along the lake shore to the lower
line protection levee on Peoples avenue. This
work, IL properly done aud well taken care of,
will be OF great use; the waves of the lake passing
over it will deposit ia the of the breastwork
the sedimentary matters OF which the waters are
also surcharged. Tho water not being allowed to
drain back through the ping, will draiu through
tbs swamp, Aid from the swamp baok Tito The
lake by the Bayou st. John. At the completion
OF this breastwork the formation OF the embank-
mept can be greatly accelerated by The following
means, which l strongly recommend, to wit:
To place outside OF the close pillng two rows Of
strong piles, planted at every ten feet from
centres tie rows to be distant from each other
forty feet, and the inner row to be from ten to
fifteen feet from the close piling each row to
receive longitudinal stringer, upon which shall
be fitted railroad track. This track would
serve to support d platform upon which should
be fitted q steam digging machine.
This machine, cutting canal twenty feet
wide between the posts, would throw the dir
inside Of the close piliDg by means of its crane.
Should it become necessary to throw the dirt at
greater distance than the reach Of the crane, q
trough could be built through which constant
stream of water, being made to pass, would carry
away the sediment deposited in ii by The crane
to any desired point. l estimate that machine
of this kind placed on piles, 80 AZ not to be dis
turbed by the winds or udes, could throw on an
average one cubic yard per minute.
When this ID done no further apprehension
of the washing or cavlng Of the levee need be en-
tertained. IL can then be protected by revet-
ment OF either wood, ballast or artificial stone.
For the balance Of the works necessary to rem
der complete and efficient the drainage Of this
section, refer you to the able reports and plans
prepared by W. Fl. Bell, late City Surveyor, and
which are all on file in my Office.
Respectfully submitted
J. A. D'HEMECOURT,
City Surveyor.
SURVEYORS OFFICE,