Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1882-09-01
THE RIVER.

THE XIV Elk.
: The past year, ending of date, has de
veloped but few changes in the status Of The
river commerce of Memphis, and that few
of no material importance. No new lines
have been established, no new steamers built
! and nothing added to the tonnage in com
mission at the close OF the previous season.
During the year there was some talk OF es-
tsblishing a barge line from Memphis TO
New Orleans, but we have yet 10 hear of
anything looking to actual results. The AP-
PEAL has been an earnest advocate otthe
BARGE SYSTEM OF TRANSPORTATION.
We have predicted that The time was not far
distant when the greater portion OF the pro-
ducts of the Mississippi river and tributaries
would be carried 10 the seaboard in barges,
the imports OF the valley 10 be brought 10 us
in like manner. To a partial extent this
Jred ;ction has been falfiled but there seems
TO be something in the way of the more gen
ersl establishment Of the system. Bfrges
we're extensively employed in the early days
OF the commerce OF the Western rivers, De-
fore the period of steamboats,, and in fact
long after that period they did large part
OF the carrying trade from extreme northern
points on the Mississippi and its continents,
but the small tonnage of the crafts used, the
consequent heavy expense as compared with
the small cargoes the barges were capable Of
| tue Oh
built mainly for express transportation of
freiShis, and being propelled and guided
| with poles and sweeps" were necessarily
| Glow OF progress and comparatively unsafe
and unreliable. The barge system was
| gradually going out of use until about
the year 1866, when the ST. Louis
and Mississippi Valley Transportation Com
rany was organized in St. Louis. Its sue
cess did not develop fairly until the question
OF cheap transportation TO the seabosrd
| brought the enterprise into more prominent
notice. 1t then became apparent, as il was
clearly demonstrated that the barge system
was the most formidable competitor OF the
railways, in which the latter as a monopoly
could be successfully thwarted. While much
has already been done in that way, there il
yet much more 10 be accomplished. The
barge system already controls freight rates
10 the extent that the great railway trunk
lines are prevented from a system Of extor-
ton that undoubtedly would prevail in the
Absence of so formidable competitor. When
the system of bsrges ard towboats has been
fairly inaugurated, then the pet theory of
the APPEAL hiss been and is now revolu-
lion in the
PASSENGER AND EXPRESS BUSINESS
in the river We predict that in the not dis !
taut future steamers will be built with es-
pecial regard to safety, speed and comfort. |
Travel by steamer is the tavorite mode with |
out doubt. 1t is less fatiguing, more invigorat- |
ing, TO say nothing OF the sumptuous accom- |
modations afforded on the magnificent and |
pzlatial packets of the present day. But1he |
carrying OF the character OF Jreights that |
usually make up the cargoes intensi6es the |
dangers of river navigation, causes delays in |
voyages, and does not admit of a rate OF |
speed that could be attained if packets |
were constructed without the usual freight |
space, which is the basis of steam
-
To obtain speed heavier machinery |
must be employed, and all the weight added /
TO machinery detracts that much from the |
freight capacity of steamers. Then, in order |
to secure safety and effecluaIly insure against
one If the most t-rrible of all possible river
disasters, we contend that iron must be en-
ployed in the construction of passenger
steamers. When the freight business has
been captured by the barge and toWboat sys-
tenn, and passenger and express business Is
left alone Tor the steamers, safety, speed and
durability are only assured in The construc-
tion OF steamers solely cf iron. The improve
ment in the appointments tor comfort will
be thus provided for by the employment of the
freight room" in me enlargement of cabins,
saloons aud sleeping apartments etfectuslly
doing away with the old "state-room" system
and inaugurating paflors, suites oil rooms aud
single bedrooms, with ample space for
cabins, saloons, offices, dining-rooms, ETC, of
larger dimensions and in every way con-
venient as are afforded in frst.class hotels.
Here we have the terrors OF river navigation
reduced TO a par with those OF railway travel,
comfort az far superior railway travel af-
ford d above The old Stage coach system and
speed equal to the lightning express" rail-
way schedules-all combining a rival of rail-
way travel that cannot fail TO attract the
multitude. These are not idle predictions,
but real possibilities, and we confidently be-
4 alrt,V 4
THE RIVER FRONT
In our last review of the river trade of |
Memphis and matters pertaining to il, We
took occasion 10 make some suggestions look
ing 10 the enlargement Of levee space and
the Improvement of the appearance OF the
wharf. We suggesttd the Importance Of the
remoysl OF the buff and paving with stone
OF the space between the railway tracks and |
the wharf proper. We take pleasure in
noting that all these suggestions have been
carrie out to the letter and the advantages
accruing therefron have been fully realized.
Oar task in this work is not yet done. We
pointed out as plainly as words could ex-
press, aided by an intelligent diagram the
necessity of removing the surplus bluff i'm
mediately north OF Court street, and the one |
south Of the customhouse grounds The
aforementioned is a shapeless mass of earth,
altOgethe repulsive 10 the eye, especially |
10 the stranger whose first attention is
always attracted TO our river front. The
slump" south of the customhousa, while not |
quite so ugly, becomes so by its general use |
for deposit of old traps and rubbish. When |
graded down it would afford better view of |
tue river from Front street, TO say nothing of |
the increase in wagon way to the wharf and |
freight room Tor the convenience OF river |
commerce. The bluff known as the Chicka-
saw parade ground south of Monroe street,
we have urged should be converted into q
park. Its locality and proportions recon-
mend it for such a purpose, and such re-
sort for comfort and pleasure is demanded. |
At present we have but one place of this |
character worthy of the name OF n pleasure |
retort-Court sguare-but it is not sufficient |
FIR The purpose; besides, it has not the adj |
vantage of the splendid views and pleasant |
bretz which the bluffs afford. No at |
tention seems TO have been paid TO our !
suggestions about converting this bluff |
into park, and we now take occasion |
10 urge that it be taken away, and the space |
paved with stone, adding more freight-soom |
and additional wsgon-way TO the wharf. |
The improvements made by the railway |
companies whose lines traverse the full |
length of the wharf, and which. are spoken |
OF elsewhere, have added much TO the beauty |
of that locality, saying nothing of enlarg-
ment Of space and general convenience.
THE CONDITION OF THE wHARF.
AT Inc close OF the previous season lneTe
existed considerable anxiety about the secu
riIy of the wharf. 10 the paving of which |
the city had invested a large sum OF money.
That anxiety has almost, If not quite, en-
tirely abated, except at the extreme north
end where the new grain and package eie-
vaior has recently been constructed. At that
point the currents of the river made some
demonstrations as if they would encroach
upon forbidden territory, and much money
has been spent in securing them. What
has been done affords temporary protection,
but as permanency was desired, il was
deemed proper to petition Congress for an
appropriation for the purpose, which we are
glad TO note was promptly made, and We
hope will be employed in the best way to
bring about permanent results. Various
theories have been advanced as to the best
mode of attaching these corroding currents,
the most popular OF which seems to be the
dredging aud opening of channel at the
| foot OF Paddy's Hen, where years ago the
| M ain channel OF The river flowed. The AP
| PEAL looks with favor upon this suggestion,
| bat leayes the matter in the hands of the
engineers, who, it is hoped, will be selected
| by the government with due regard to their
| experience in the action of the currents of
the Mississippi and skill IN the employment
/ OF means 10 control them.