Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1882-03-04


The following letter was submitted to the
board by Major Twining, in answer to request
from the board:
WASHINGTON February 49,
Gen. @. A. Gilmore President Board of Eagi-
neer's, Har6or Of Washington:
SIR:-In reply to the letter of the board of the
18th inst. requesting me to present In writing
such notifications as | now think should be
made in the plan proposed by ME in the annual
report OF the Commissioners of the District of
Columbia, for the year 1879. and requesting est-
mates Of cost have the honor to state that so
far as the general plan Of the reclamation and
harbOrs are concerned see no reason to recon-
mend any change 1t is not necessary
to say that the method of determining the
proper width of the main channel was some
what crude by reason Of the lack Of time and
data, but the very important fact that no per-
ceptble change had taken place in the area of
the low water section Of the river. and no es-
sential change in the relative dimensions of the
Washington and Virginia channels was sufficient
ly established. The later surveys, of course
afforded more accurate results. but show that
the low water section assumed was very cor
rect. In the recommendation made in regard
to the removal Of Easby's point, am inclined to
think that it Is not necessary to cut to depth
OF more than seventeen feet, and that the
amount thus saved, which would proba-
bly, equal one third the cost of the total
cutting, might be more advantageously
applied to the removal of the rocky point
on Analostan island to depth of six feet below
low Water-this depth being assumed simply as
one which would be sufficient to prevent the
growth Of aquatic plants. The question Of cut
ting away the points requires more careful
preliminary examination and survey than has
yet been made before any accurate esti-
mates can be given. My estimate of S4O7, 700
was based upon very partial measurements and
sOundings. In no case should the Analostan
shute be disturbed before the effect of the oper-
alton upon the island and Easby's point shall
have been determined. The recommendations
in regard to the dimensions of the inner harbor
and the uses of the sluicing basins above the
bridge were based upon the idea that an actual
flushing effect could be obtained in addition to
the simple and obvious purpose Of publication.
am OF the opinion now that the width Of the
sons-say 500 feet-and that the supply
Of water from the sluicing basins
will still be ample to insure u
perfect sanitary condition. Under the condi-
tOns of this harbOr there will be little or no de-
post, and any depth which may be once OBJ
tanned by dredging will be maintained for many
years. On page recommendation is made look
ing to the partial filling up the area above the
canal at 18th street and lying below Easby's
point. am now disposed to recommend the
complete filling of this area, since it would i'm
mediately assume value which would readily
repay the expenditure.
have carefully examined the estimate for
the reclamation of the area above the Long
bridge. The estimate allows s. 400 per acre for
hlling. Assuming an average fill of four cubic
yards to each surface yard, the allow
ance amounts to twenty-three cents per cubic
yard, which, think, is sufficiently large
The estimates for suicing are also ample.
therefore see no reason to change the amount of
the total estimate for the Improvement above
the bridge. 1t Is to be understood that the esti-
mates apply only to the reclamation of the Dor
ton lying within the harbor line, shown upon
my map as submitted to the board.
and If the included area Should
be increased by throwing the line farther out q
corresponding allowance should be made It
may be proper to present to the board my
views as to the order of events in carrying out
the details of the plan If it should be adopted
! The filling above the 18th street canal should
be begun with material taken from the main
Channel; the buikhead line being carried down
IS Tar as nth street. simultaneously the gut
ter and inner sluicewaYs should be begun, ana