The daily gazette., 1879-06-12
FIRST EDITION.
The Channel Of the Christianu.

THE GOVERNMENT SURVEY BEING
MADE PREPARATORY TO DEEPENING
THR RIVER.
Notice has already been made, In this
paper, OF the Government survey now
Oeiug made of the Christiana liver. The
importance OF the river In navigation is
known to all Wilmingtonians, aud as the
survey Is movement preparatory to
sinking $500 in the way OF deepening
the open channel and improving naviga-
ion generally, it was thought by a re-
oe looked into. Acc 'rdingly he started
In search Of Mr.. T. G. Locke, Assistant
Engineer, who has much to do with the
work. Mr.. Locke was found after some
difficulty and readily consented to give
the newshunter all the information he
mig desire. Mr.. Locke is young man
but good surveyor and one equally at
home atield and afloat with all kind Of
''ometeIs" pertaining to aquatic survey
ing. just here IL may be we'll to remark
that U. y. Government surveying, es-
pecially along river like the Christiaha,
always has proportionate amount oil
fun. The fun comes in when the work
is over; the rest of the business consists
of standing In the sun, carrying heavy
instruments, Jumping bitches and fou
dering through the mud AT least thai
was what the reporter thought aftal
watching The party for awhile.
The body Of men dhing the work are
twelve in number, and are commanded
by Col. Mian and Mr.. Locke. They are
sent out by Col. LUDLOW and and Col.
Macomb of Philadelphia, U. s. Eng-
neering officers for this district, and the
survey is made in order to find how the
$500 already mentioned, can best be
used. A plot will be made of the creek
Ia which the exact course of the channel
will be given, and also the depth, width,
&c. From this, definite idea can b.,
formed of what is needed most and a
pr, ject will be made out by MessIs. Lud-
low and Maeomb and sent to the head OF
the engineering department at Washing
ton, and II approved it will be cIrrieu
| out.
The party works in two forces A pari
of them operate Oh the shore, surveying
the course of the creek, under Command
of Col. Milan and another body do the
sounding, under the direction of Mr.
Locke.
The channel of the Christiana is rather
| peculiar one, as peculiar, at least as
the creek itself, The outlines of the
stream do not change, neither does the
channel, for it couldn't change far and
stay between the banks; but 1t is gradu.
ally filing up with a sort OF luval sedi-
ment, that would be carried out into the
Deliware river, we're the current less
sluggish. Thus, with these deposit,
from year to year forming in the creek
being brought down from the marshes
and moor lands above with every little
freshet, ,thestream is the gradually be con-
ing shoal. To tell the truth not enough
attention has been paid to the naviga
tion of the Chrlstiana and the present
appropriation Is much smaller than 1
ought to be. To do justice TO the wa r
man an annual app opriation OF trou
Sl0, 600 to $4,000, should he made for the
river for three years at least. This II
the opinion of one, whose acquaintance
with the stream AMI experienced judg-
ment in such matters, renders him a re
| liable authority.
But to return to the subject, the leat
beavers and the chain be lrers of NJ essrs
Locke and Mean. They commenced
work yeste day, wednesday, a weel
ago. Since then they have got alonf
right rapidly, and think they will ge
through either this evening, OF early to
morrow. The most important part o
the survey has been made and from th'
calculations made an idea can be sur
mi. e1 az to when the appropriation will
to use. Careful soundings all along thu
creek show that it is as deep As it ou2h
to be in but few places. The sounding
are reckoned at mean low water, deter
mined bv constant observation. Fo
this end, q man is statl loned at Thir,
street bridge all the time the sounding
are going on, to note the variation o
] the tide every few minutes and compar
! them with low water. The shoales
wa. or in the river is at the mouth, wher
the mui and alluvial wastIngs hav
lodged forming bar.
There is only 10 feet Of water thor
and it is growing shallower. Last sun
mer part of the 81 900 appropriation wa
expended here, but the work done wa
far from complete and the water is \
most ~ shoal now as it was before tn
dredging was done,- an old boatma
says. Auothet shoaI place, which Wa
dredged a trlf fie last summer, il at tn
mouth of the Brandy wine whore tn
muddy deposits and crOss-currents hav
. made a considerable bar. The two deel
places below tho city are the par
lust below the Christiana Iron Go.
Rolling Mill and that bet seen IL
mouth of the Brandyw wine and the Jac
J son Il Sharp Co.'s wharf. The deepe!
point in the creek, is al the Harlan ar
Hollingsworth Co.'s ship yard. II
survey does not extend further up tina
this place.
, It is hard to tell befo q he plot
r the survey Is made out, just where 1t W
ls be decided to use the money. but as Il
ID shoalest water is at the rivers mouth,
e. is reasons BILE to suppose that the larg
q part will be applied TO that point. Pa
- > fit will also be expended, 1t is presur
~ ed on The rock above Third street biide
I'd This is quite an extensive obstruction
e, navigation, as several vessels have r,
nj into 1t and a number of steam ers lo
their propeller wheels. 1t 10 800 var
10 north of the bridge, on the south side
~ the stream, and \ the middle of tho ns
y y ural channel Thomas Cumming
Son Of Now York, received the contra
for removing part Of II last year, al
took out 125 cubic yards. Tho work
= the river will possibly not be done beto
August, as there is not retention
I. funds by the Secretary Of TIE Treasul
y Me-srs. Ludlow and Macomb are al
nrepallng to dig out the channel on .
west side of Cherry Islands Flats. II
channel on the eastern side Is now US
ei by large stsaushlps, but it has been q
ticed t. be gradual. filing up while d
q, ore on the other side is sdsepening. Aft
y the dredging is done, the limos will
, properly arranged In this channel as
no, the case now; line of range ligf
IN will be put up, connecting with tho de
IN water point ranges.