Lexington weekly intelligencer. (Lexington, Mo.) 1871-1887, 1884-12-27
OUR RIVER.

WASHINGTON, d. c., Dec. 1884.
EDITOR INTELLIGENCER:- The report
of Major Chas. r. Suter, of the U. S.
Engineers Corps, gives the following
facts in relation to the work of remov-
ing snags and wrecks from the Mis-
souri, river last year.
The operations on this stream ex-
tended from the mouth to Kansas City,
S75 miles.
The snag- boat, H. G.. Wright, left St.
Louis in August, worked up stream TO
Kansas City, from which point she
worked down to the mouth Of the riv-
er. She was laid up November 8, hav
ing been in commission 81 months.
The work done in Missouri river
was US follows:
9Ol snags pulled; 1856 weight in
tons: 227 trees cut; and II drift piles
removed.
The estimates are for building light
draught snag-boat $4,000; for opera
ting three boats, nine months each, at
81 900 per month, $l08.O0O. The
amount that can be profitably expended
in fiscal year ending June 80, 1886, is
therefore. s18S.OOO.
In the construction of new boats,
nothing was done during the year, as
the amount of funds available was not
sufficient. 1t is hoped, however, TO
construct new snag-boat for the Mis-
souri, river which is much needed.
Plans have been prepared for a STERN
wheel snag. boat, and all estimate for
its construction submitted. The old
wooden snag-boat, d. K. Russy, has
become unserviceable, her hull being
worn out. Part of her machinery is in
good order, and the boat should be re-
built without loss of time, as we are
now short OF boats. She should also
be equipped tor removing wrecks, of
which great number have accumula-
ted.
THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE MISSOURI
RIVER FROM ITS MOUTH TO
SIOUX CITY.
Owing to the failure of the river and
harbor bill, it became necessary to re-
duce last season 8 operations to mini
mum in order to provide means for pro-
tecting the large and costly plant be-
longing to the works.
At Saint Charles, Missouri, the work
consisted in completing the revetment
in Saint Charles bend by covering i,
with rock. After this was done the
plant was sent to Kansas City.
AT Glasgow, Missouri, nothing wal
done, the allotment having been trans
ferred to St. Charles.
At Nebraska City, Nebraska, the
available balance being too small fol
prosecuting the work to advantage, i,
was definitely closed up in the fall and
the plant was sent to st. Joseph.
AT Omaha. the revetment was e1
tended down stream to the bridge, {
distance Of 1,27O feet, and $500 feet O.
old work was repaired. As this wal
all the work deemed necessary until &
complete scheme of channel rectifcatior
Is undertaken, the work was definitely
closed up and the plant transferred te
St. Joseph. .
AT Sioux City, Iowa, nothing wa,
done, the balance of the allotmen
City.
The survey of Missouri river from
Lexington to Boonville was continued
and the maps of the survey are now
completed.
Work was continued during the sea
son OIL finishing and outfitting the new
plant, which consists of 35 barges fol
carrying brush or stone; 81 barges fol
general use; mattress boats, 80 fee
wide; 6 hydraulic graders, with quar-
ters for crew; quarter boats, for IN
men each; l5 hydraulic pile sinkcr.
with quarters for crew; floating ma
chine shop; q yawls; 6O skiffs; ant
l tow-boat.
II The Kansas City and Leavenwortl
divisions were consolidated fo
economical considerations and placed
in charge of Assistant A. A. Yonge.
No field work was done beyond car.
ing for the public property and gaug.
ing the MISSOURI aud Kaw river nea
Kansas City.
Changes in the upper part of Kav
: bend caused the loss of 1000 feet of tn
revetment, which was oulflanked an'
washed iuto the river. This destruc
tive work is still progressing and vii
continue until checked by all up. .strean
extension of the revetment.
AT Lexington there has been Ii
change of moment, aud the worl
still remains intact.
AT Leavenworth the river has mad
extensive in.roads Oh the neck of Ian
opposite the fort, but the means avails
bic did not justify beginning work q
I this point.
e No field work was done at either S,
Joseph or Atchison during the yea
5 beyond caring for the public property
NJ serious damage to the works occur
t red, though their early extension wi
q b. necessary.
| s-------=-----
THAT JJTTT nIpu
From the whitehall Times.l
If the son could pick up the stitche
u of experience that the father drops, b
l. would not be obliged to unravel hi
work 80 often.