The New Orleans daily Democrat. [volume] (New Orleans, La.) 1877-1880, 1879-08-12
upon the matter, and the board adjourned to
meet at 10 o'clock this morning.
IMPORTANT WORKS.
improvements Of Harbors, Bayous
and Streams in Louisiana, Mis-

improvements Of Harbors, Bayous
and Streams in Louisiana, Mis-
sissippi and Texas.
Some months ago the DEMOCRAT had a full
account OF the manner In which the cane car
pets were being laid along the river front to
prevent eavings In the bank by diverting the
current from the shore. The work Is being
done by the United States engineers, under
authority Of tho government and was begun
about q year ago. The river front from Plea
yune tier to the Third District ferry landing
has been already covered over with the cane
carpets Major Howell, of the United States
engineers corps, is confident that the project
will be OF immense benefit to our harbor, as
no caving has yet happened along the line
where the carpets have been placed. The
| work has been progressing slowly for various
reasons; the ships In the harbor were In the
way; then high water set in. and the current
was too strong to warrant any work being
done. Another cause OF hardness In the way
Of the workmen was the failure of the con-
tractor to furnish the canes in sufficient guam
tity. .@@
Our harbor has been divided into three dis
tricts for the prosecution Of the work The
first district extends from the Picayune tier to
IL
braces the whole OF the crescent, and the
third ID from Gretna to the Alglers Jerry land
Ing. Congress has made two appropriations
for the undertaking-On Of $4,000 and an
other of 100000. or the former amount SILL
600 remain, leaving 81 600 available. It Is
the intention of the United States engineers to
continue until the balance of the former ap-
preparation Is expended. AS the season OF
high water approaches the work will be post
poned until next summer.
Major Howell, who had been absent for
some time on account Of his health, returned
TO this city few days ago, and has resumed
the duties of his office. The ma Or has about
thirty different works on hand or in contem-
plation, and expects busy time this fall
by an act OF Congress passed on March g.
1879, making appropriations for the repair
construction and Improvement of certain
works in rivers and harbors OF the United
and Texas are benefited to the extent of about
100000 Numerous surveys and resurveys
of bayous, lakes and streams Of the latter
States. under the charge of Major Howell,
have been ordered by that act. Ma or Howell
Is at present organizing parties for those sur
veys. and expects in about two weeks to put
five Of them ut once in the field. The works
now In operation, beside the Improvement OF
our river front, are:
l. The removal Of distractions in Bayou
Lafourche, below the Lafourche Crossing.
2. The dredging of Sabine Pass.
3. The ship channel being dug In Galveston
bay to connect Galveston with Houston. The |
for this work Is 1924 900. Up |
to the last report a channel OF four miles long |
had been obtained.
4. Improvement Of Galveston harbor by
means of jetties. The object Of this work is |
to obtain sufficient depth of water to allow
ships to land in the harbor. Already two |
miles of ietties have been built and it is pro-
posed to extend them five miles.
In short time the work OF improving the |
channel Of Pearl river from jackson, Miss.
to Carthage will be begun. Congress has ap
$4,000 for that purpose.
1t is expected to begin at an early date the
task of improving Necnes Pass In Texas and
also the improvement OF the harbor Of Indi-
anola.
The act Of Congress referred to above ap-
something like Ss,oOo,o0O. and con-
fers great benefits on the States of Louisiana.
and Texas.