Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-02-04
MAJOR BENYAURD's LETTER.
The following response was received:

MEMPHIS, January IS, 1865.
SIR-YOur communication OF the 9th instant
asking for information concerning the encroach-
ment of the river the city front, is received,
and cheenully make the following replies to
your inquiries, sertGti.a: From ISL when the sur
provement. to 1881, the rate of bank caving from
the mouth OF Wolf river - the foot of Exchange
street was about forty feet annually and from the
latter point to the foot OF Jefferson street about
fifteen feet Previously the rate had been much
low wafer line down to the river bottom COM
during the latter part OF 1850 Since that time the
caving has entirely ceased along portion of the
fore from the foot Of Market street to
bank at several other places The project for the
protect on OF the front commenced in 1873, con
bruh rom about Inc IN to h
river bottom, extending along the front southwark
from tAe mouth OF "oIi flNef 10 JenSrson street,
and northWard to Tennessee chute. The object of
this latter work was to secure the upper stretch,
any extended caving Immediately above the
along the front below, by the river cutting into
Wolf, and thus afow the current to work around
the head OF the lower revetment The estimated
cost of this project was $4,000. OF this amount
only $1,000 has been appropriated As stated
above, the work on the lower bank protection wa.
completed from Wolf river down, while that above
Wolf river was barely commenced in 1850. With
season of 1851. repairs were made where
the caving had not been completely
rested. from about Winchester down to
Exchange street. The available funds
being about exhausted work was suspended. The
continued caving at some points in spite of the
mattress work already accomplished, and the ex-
isling condition of that work shows that the up
per bank requires reyetment as well the lower,
and that to render effective what has been done,
the protection must be made continuous from the
river bottom, or where the abrasion commences
up to or near high water mark. 1t is my opinion
that this properly done will effectually stop the
caying. From experience had at this place, and
others of like nature in the use of willow brush
mattresses. the upper bank should be protected in
the same manner as that below, by continuing the
mattress work up the bank after grading it to a
regular slope OF about two on three, the whole TO
thick, which will not only prevent any possible
tearing or wearing away of the brushwork, but
give good substantial steamboat landing along
the entire front reverted. A lighte balasting
would suffice above the mouth of Wolf river. The
cost estimate saFy at tucn about fof tRe
part below the mouth of Wolf.
s204,0Oo In reply to your question what, if any
thing is necessary TO be done by the city govern
urge he al impoTtsnce Of leading the storm %afer
from the streets down TO the river bank in water
tight conduits. instead of permitting it, is now
the case, to find its way to the river over and |
through the bank. keeping it in condition Of
susceptible 20 rapid dissolution. With the CO. |
operation OF the city government by bringing the
pipes. or whatever cOnduits used, could be
carried through the reyetment so to discharge |
on top. An examination OF the Arkansas shore
above Hopefieid shows that considerable bank
caving is going on. 1t might, therefore, in addi
city be necessary to construct such works would
tend to preserve the present harbor line Very |
truly, W. II. II. BENYAURD.
Major of EngiReers
To Hon. Casey Young, Chairman of Committee. |
COMMITTEES REPORT.
Major Burke moved that the matter be |
referred to a committee, composed OF Presi- |
dent MADDEN, Mr.. Lee and the District en- |
gineer. A recess was then taken for few |
TO allow the committee to report. |
The following is their report:
MEMPHIS, February 8, 1882.
To the Honorable Legislative Council:
GESIIEMEN-We, your committee TO whom was |
referred the communication OF Major w. H. II. |
Hon. Casey Young. relative to the most effectuai
means OF preventing the encroaehments of the 1
river upon the river fiont and harbor of Memphis,
which touches upon the duty of the Taxing-Dis-
trict government 70 provide for proper discharge
between the city frontage extending Say from
ne mouth 1. f oil VOL 9th nyef 70 BeaIe street
would recommend to your honorable body the
passage of the following resolution:
Resolved. That we concur in the views expressed |
by Major Benyaurd as the proper mode of giving
The necessary protection and maintenance OF such
work may be applied and extended along the
river front, and that this the Taxing gov
,rnment, viii pledge itself to put in all proper
treet and the line of high water along the river
ront, either by means of suitable pipe drains or
to prevent all abrasion or injury to the
md ieyentment work as proposed and recon-
|
work shall be required in the construction
VI the general work OF protection, and will do any
work in its power looking to the objects sought to
,e accomplished. as set forth by Major Benyaurd |
n his communication.
The report was adopted.
RESOLUTIONS.
Mr.. Gavin offered a resolution that prop
rty-owners on the south side of Tate street,
,etween Orleans and Walnut streets, be
equired to repair and put down sidewalks
within thirty days. Adopted.
Mr.. Kney offered a resolution that the
idewslk on st. Martin street, between Beale
md Linden streets, be repaired; also the
idewalks on Linden streets, between Null
Jerry and Causey streets; also a crossing at
ne intersection OF Linden and St. Martin
treets running from north to south. Adopted.
Mr.. James offered resolution that the
ngineer be ordered to open cutters and
ound up Union street at the east corner of
Inion and Wellington as soon as possible.
adopted.
Major Burke offered resolution, that the
offered on December Sth, looking
o a condemnation of a certain right of way
0 lay sewer and water pipes into Mrs. Sallie
Kings property on Front street be adopted.
adopted.
MODEL GARBAGE BOX.
Mr.. james offered resolution that this
ouncil offer a small premium, say Of SO
by advisement), for the best model OF q ]