Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1880-04-24
Improvement of the River Channel.

Improvement of the River Channels
THE WORK OF DREDGING.
Tie very important work OF dredging out the
Washington channel OF the Potomac river Is now
progressing very favorably and to the satisfac-
ton of our merchants and shippers, who are
most interested and will soon be completed up
10 the draw of the Long bridge. Tnts contract
MesSrs. Geo. C.. Fobes d Co., OF Baltimore a
firm of much experience In such matters. and
under the capable superintendent of Capt.
John Rhodes who has charge of the dredge
and Maj. George Rinehardt OF this city inspec-
tor under the engineer department. this chan
nel like the Georgetown channel will soon be-
come deep enough for the entry OF vessels of
any tonnage at all stages of the tides. This
work Is being done from the appropriation of
$4,000 made by the last COngTeSS-$3O 900 OF
which amount was set apart, and already
nearly expended to clear out the Georgetown
channel, and $4,000 for the Washington chan
mel.
THE WASHINGTON CHANNEL.
The work was commenced soon after the ap-
preparation was made, and the channel on the
point 10 near the long bridge a depth of from
9 to IL feet and width of 200 feet last fan.
This was done under the former contract made
with Brainard & Rice and which was annulIed
by the Department, and the work given to
Messrs. Fobes Co. Under the new contract
Win the latter gentlemen. the appropriation
so lar as relates To the Washington side is bc.
Ing expended in accordance with the unani-
nous desire of shippers and merchants most
interested and with the consent OF Chief Engi-
neer Albert, which plan Is to make the channel
deeper In lieu OF making 1t wider, this being
regarded as for 1.-The best interests of navtga-
ton" as Per terms Of the law.
WORK ON TIE GEORGETOWN CHANNEL
After finishing the work OF dredging last fall
from the Arsenal to the Long bridge as above
described, the contractors removed their ma
chinery and applia1ces to the Georgetown
channel where they have been engaged up to
four weeks since, In clearing out that channel
which has been done, the average depth being
10 6-l0 feet at low water, and an average width
OF 215 feet. thus making the navigation unOb.
stIucted ct all times to the largest vessels. 10
be more explicit-this channel is divided in
three sections; the upper section is now dredged
ls5 ieet wide, the next section 200 feet, and the
lower END Oh the lower section 245 feet wide, all
at the depth named, the entire length of that
channel being 800 feet, which is now clear and
IN excellent condition.
DEEPER CHANNEL NEEDED
That work having been completed Mr. Fobes
removed the machinery back to the Washington
side and resumed work about four weeks ago:
ana aIi as before stated the unanimous desire of
all interested being for deeper channel the
entire efforts of the contractors have been In
tbs direction. 1t was thought that the width
attained last 1all-25e feet-was sufficient for
II present practical pun poses OF navigation
odt the heavy-draft vessels laden with
Ice or coal, constantly arriving at our
Wha1ves, IL was found. required more
depth, even at the expense OF tie curtailment
OF the width. So it was finally determines by
the engineers, with the consent OF the con
tractors. 10 cOnflne the present operations OF
deepening to width OF 20 feet ard to sink the
chennel TO a 515-jeet depth at low water mark
about the same as in the Georgetown channel
Al the same time it was deemed advisable ID
increase the Width from the Arsenal point I'D a,
FAR as 9Th street wharf So additional feet
when mas been done, making this portions235
feet between the points named. fThe
dredging has progressed steadily aud
faithfully, under the constant inspection OF
Mt. Hdnehardt. until at the present time the
contractors have reached up as far as the 9th
street wharf. The estimated number OF cubic
YARDS OF mud TO be excavated was 10000.
(Which appears to be an enormous mass of mat
ter 10 Oe brought up from the bottom of the
channe!,l dumped into scows and shipped by
tug boats TO ilOSeers Point, a distance OF seven
miles down the river on the MARYLAND side
near Fort Foote, where it is dumped. But when
one mas examined into the process of the work,
viewed the operations OF the gigantic dredging
beat. With its massive machinery propelled b2
two engines OF $50 horse power, its skillful man
agement, &C.. the magnitude OF the work does
not look so great.
THIS DREDGING BOAT
is curiosity when in operation. 1t Is what is
known as clam-shell dredger. having two pom.
derous iron jaws. each attached to long and
heavy timber SHAFT, which are worked with great
heavy racket chains, and other appliances
whereby the iron jaws are plunged to the hit
tom from an elevation sufficient TO ena3 :'tnn
TO be worked With perfect freedom. When they
reach the bottom the Jaws are spread Wide omen
and by their immense weight they are thrust
deep into the mud, and at the same moment are
drawn together by chains worked from the deck
OF me Dredging BOAT, over pulleys drawn by the
engines, which at the same time draws up the
plungers with the clam-shell jaws loaded With
the dripping mud, and when sufficiently high.
another chain attachment draws the two shafts
around, swinging them over the mud scow
just where the disagreement Is desired
when by another quick movement the clam
Smell Is lowered and the jaws open leaving the
nFe ton mouthIul of mud just where it is
wanted without so much as jar to the boat.
These movements are repeated with surprising
rap1dity, and from a distance the boat and fix
tu1es in full working Tim resembles an i'm
mense animated skeleton diving to the bottom
or the river for mud. The dredging machine OF
necessity, has to be quite frequently moved
some eight or ten feet ahead which Is done by
means OF cables and anchors worked by the
same power as the plunger is work d, and all
The movements are done with ease and quite
rapidly, every square foot of the river bottom
Being reached and the mud removed This
clam shell apparatus is considered the best ap-
pllance Tor such work ever invented, and much
superior for river dredging TO the manner of
scooplng the mud with the old fashioned ma
chine formerly used for that purpose.