Memphis daily appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1847-1886, 1883-04-20
PLUM POINT.
Capt. Symons, the Engineer in Charge,
Says the Work Beisg Done
There is Superb, that it
Is Planned Correctly, ard VIII Succeed
If Congress Only Appropriates the
Money TO Garry 1t Out.

Capt. Thos. W. Symous, Of the government
engineers, connected with the work at Plum
Point, on the Mississippi river, was discov-
cred in the city yesterday by an APPEAL
itinersni, and it is unnecessary to say that
he was duly cornared for all he knew about
thatS work that is of interest Ito the pub
lie. Capt. Syuons yielded gracefully to the
Teportorisl pressure, and talked like book
when be got fairly started. We preached
the subject delicately with the following in
trodnctory query:
"What is the character of 'he work in pro-
gress at Plum Point, captain?"
The work now in progress consists OF
pile-driving and the repair and construction
of the plant. About 400 men are now eu-
ployed. About 200 piles are driven daily,
FL By hydraulic procsss"
els it designed to decrease the working
force now or AT an early day."
"As soon as the water goes down il is in
tended 10 put on about 1900 more men.
Favorable contracts have been made for all
the materials needed Ia the work. No re-
yetment or mattress work can be done now
on account oil the high water"
Gas far as you have been able to learn,
how has the work already done stood the
pressure of the overflow of Februsry?"
THE recent low water showed that the
works which hsd been subjected to the food
had stood remarkably we'll, all the revet.
meut work being in place and protecting the
banks perfectly"
Have y,u noticed any important
| chsnges?"
'9e1, the most remarkable Of which have
taken place about Builerton Towhead, which
was, more than any other, the test place for
| the trial OF the plans Of the commission"
"Are those chsnges IN accordance with the
end desired to be obtained by the commits.
sion?"
"Better results could not have been hoped
| for. Uutil very lately the main ca annel oil
the river set in behind Bulerton Towhead
which was wearing away at s very rapid
rate. Nearly every river man declared II
4 impossible TO save the to she ad and bring the
| deep channel out from behind it. This has
| all been accomplished, however, and the
channel is exactly where the commission
planned to have il, and the towhead is nc
| longer wearing away. The difficulties OF
| pilotage have been greatly reduced"
"What about the sensational stories we
| hear occasionally about the damage TO your
works by high water~
She amount of work lost last February
when the river rose 80 rapidly has beer
grossly exaggerated, and has furnished the
enemies of The river improvement with NJ any
| text Icr oecrylDg the work. Inc truth 1:
that only email amount was carried away
which WIS all urcomsleted, and which cou d
not be completed, owing to the impeFsibility
OF getting stone. / think il wsuld be well
for those papers who are interested in seeing
the work go on TO take pains and inform
themselves as to the actual truth when 10
| favorable reports are afost."
| what seems to be the ruling opinion
among the members of the com mission as &c
the ultimate result Of the present system?'
II believe that every member of the com
mission, and certainly everyone on tn.
works, has had his confidence strengthened
| by the action of the works in the food; tina
the plan adopted is the correct one, and tha
it must succeed if the money is appropriated
TO carry it out. We are learning how TO dc
| the work better and cheaper every day
Electric lights are being put on the hydraulic
l graders and steamers SO that they can be rur
night and day during the coming low. watel
season, aud it is believed that the success o.
the work will be 60 complete and marked
| that Congress can have no hesitation on thai
ground 10 granting money!