The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-10-12
RED RIVER BLOCKADE.

Tho action taken by the Cotton Exchange
In regard to the Red river blockade bids fair
to bear fruit in tho near future, and we conf
IDENTIFY believe 1t VIII not be many days be-
fore the bar which has SO seriously nterfered
with the navigation OF Red river and its trib-
utnries will be at least temporarily removed.
The effect of this blockade can more readily
be understood when 1t Is known that it viz
tually cuts New Orleans off from the trade Of
nearly two-t thirds Of the entire State. or from
a trade the value of which In round figures
amounts to about S5D00o000
Such condition Of affairs calls for instant
action, and II 1t existed in the North or West
would cause such an cutlery and clamor
against the derelict officers of the govern
ment having the work In charge as would
speedily lead to a rigid investigation as to the
causes which led to such gross and inexcusa-
BE negligence In a matter involving interests
80 vast.
Gen. r. Il. Gibson thinks the delay In com
mencing the work was duo to the Illness of
Gen. Humphreys, who was relieved at his
own request and Gen. Wright placed In
charge The latter gentleman, not being as
familiar probably with the situation at the
mouth OF Red river as his predecessor, has
delayed action pending the consideration OF
plan proposed by United States engineers
for the permanent Improvement Of the mouth
OF Red river and the Atchafalaya. The prob
lem is somewhat complex, and there is Wide
difference OF opinion among the best en-
gineers as to what would be the best plan to
pursue, in order to achieve the best results.
. p,l M foboP Fol Il
Some five or six miles up from the mouth of
R,d river is Turnbull's island, around which,
| Ia very high water, the Red sweeps, making
| two navigable channels, but in low stages OF
| water the western channel Is only open, and
Red river emptles into the Atchafalaya, the
entrance to which is opposite Turnbulls ISL
and and about eight miles from the Missts-
sipp, the water OF which also backs up and
helps to swell the volume OF the Atchafalaya.
| The bar which obstructs navigation is To-
Gated about one mile from the mouth OF the
4 river, and Is the result of the sedimentary
deposit, occaeioned by the meeting OF the
water OF the Mississippi and the Red. The
Atchafalya, which has grown into stream
OF great Importance to a large and rich gee
/ tion of Louisiana, was originally mere riyu-
| let over which there are many now living
who remember jumping across 1t. 1t Is now
as wide as Red River and has depth at Its
entrance OF eighty feet.
| The plan which has been under considera'
ton by the United States Engineer Depart.
ment eontemplates building dam from the
western bank OF Red river to the upper end OF
Turnbull's island, thus forcing the water OF
Red river around through the upper or eastern
channel and thence into the Mississippi
avoiding the Atchafalya, by building, II neces
sary, another dam at the lower end Of the
island. 1t Is proposed also to cut canal about
five miles below the mouth OF Red river, from
the Mississippi to the Atchafalya. This cana
will thereafter be the only entrance to The
Atchafalya, which will be fed entirely BY the