St. Paul daily globe. [volume] (Saint Paul, Minn.) 1884-1896, 1885-01-01

Dy tue appropriation Tor the Mississippi river
The work carried on under the title, sim
proving upper Mississippi river, operating
snag boats" ETC., is most important. Ar
estimate with this title has been submitted Il
congress, and in any bill framed the item
should not be omitted. Unless an appr opri
alton is made the snag boats must lie idle
and between st. Paul and the mouth of the
Missouri boats must suffer the con sequences
The upper Mississippi is full of wrecks, many
OF which are liable in themselves to become
distractions; these and snags and falling
trees are liable at any time 10 seriously OBJ
struct or even prohibit navigation. The means
must, in the interest Of upper river uaviga-
ton, be at hand for their removal.
The records will show that since the gov
eminent ommenced its work of operating
snag boats, etc., on the upper Mississippi,
the wrecking Of boats has ceased, and the
money return TO uavigators aud the general
public, as a result of the work of snagging,
etc, is inestimabie
l. Harbor at Dnluth, Minn.-The present
plan OF improvement was adopted in 1881, and
Is based upon the report and estimates of board
of engineers convened in January, 1881, which
contemplated the maintenance of the dredged
areas and enlargement OF The harbor by dredg-
ing.
The dredging TO provide for depth of sixteen
feet at low water. The cost of the plan, includ-
ing the maintenance for the present of the canal
piers, placed at S2I2 1886 This estimate, for
reasons stated in appendix, was increased TO
S305.424.
The appropriation Of Si25, 600 asked for the
fiscal year ending June 30, 1885, is to De applied
TO dredging and maintenance Of piers bordering
the canal.
o nra1o;,o crrar;or Ia, U-;,oo,.;, rrLo
present project for the improvement of thsi har-
Dor was adopted in 1881, aud contemplated pro-
viding depth OF sixteen feet of water by dredg
ing.
Total estimated cost Ss12,OsO, including pres
ervation OF the piers at the entry.
The condition Of the harbor and works at the
close OF the fiscal year was as follows: A least
depth OF sixteen feet throughout the entry; and
10 the Quebec and Northern Pscilc dock channel
generally sixteen feet depth, though parts OF the
channel have shoaled TO thirteen feet since Oc-
tober. 1888.
Before the work OF improvement commenced.
in 1851, under the present project, the ruling
depth in the entry was eleven feet.
Amount expended since adoption of the pres
ent project, $50, S47.45.
The sum of $50, 0j0 asked for the fiscal year
ending June 30, 1886, TO be expended in dredg
ing and maintenance of piers.
3. Harbor At Grand Maras, Minnesota-The
project for improvement adopted in 1879 pro-
vded for Il breakwater, and for dredging within
the area bounded by MAY hsw's point and the in
ner shore line, to afford anchorage for yesse
drawing sixteen feet Work upon the breakwa-
ter was completed August 81. Dredging was re
sumed August /, and continued until the sixth
day OF September, when the allotment for dredg-
Ing was exhausted. In addition, the shore end
of breaEwater was strengthened.
The appropriation of $50 900 asked for the ifs
apdip0 10 Ia. dad
in deepening and enlargIng the harbor area, and
in maintaining the breakwater.
A survey Of Agate and Burlington bays,
on the north shore OF Lake Superior, has just
been completed, and report will soon be
made as to cost aud feasibility of improving
them in the interest of commerce. The 10
cality is known as Two Harbors.
A survey of ST. Louis bay aud of the st.
Louis river, Minnesota and Wisconsin is in
progress and expected to be ompleted about
the middle Of January. the commercial de-
velopments on both shores of this bay, and
especially along Rice's Point, in Minnesota,
and at Connor's Point in Wisconsin, and on
the bay in Wisconsin, viii undoubtedly re-
quire improvement at the hands of the gen
eral government.
These are of special significance, owing to
the development Of our mineral resources in
northern Minnesota. The Duluth & Iron
Range road was completed TO Vermillion Lake
only August Il, yet nearly $4,000 tons of
ore were shipped by lake, making ffty-two
curgoes OF from $50 to 2 00C tons each.
/. Preservation of the Falls OF ST. Anthony
The plan for the preservation OF the falls adopted
in 1874, contemplated the construction of con
crete dixie beneath the limestone ledge forming
the bed Of the river, 10 prevent percolatiOn
4 a..
underlying sand rock: the construction Of Trolling
dams to keep the upper surface OF The limestone
ledge flooded during the winter; and timber
apron and wings to prevent rvtroccssiOn .oC-fns
crest OF the falls and destruction OF the dixie
etc. The dixie was completed ia 1916, and the
other works by 1878 Since 1873 work has been
confined mhnly 10 the preservation and repair of
The timber structures.
II the work Is 10 be continued the sum OF
$50 0 70 will be needed for The ascal year ending
June 80, 1886 TO be expended In extending the
line OF Ibmerged crio work at the toe OF the
apron, tepairs 10 the timber work in the angle.
and general repairs.
= Mississippi River above the Falls OF ST
Antony, Minnesota. The present project
adopted in 1854, oontemp!ates the improvement
OF the river mainly between Ailkin aud GranI
Rapids 10y the removal Of snags, boulders. lean.
.ng trees aud bars, to afford from three to
live feet depth Of water for navigation
The cost Is based upon the re ulis OF n survey
made In 1874, snd reported upon February :
1873. the estimate for improving the extent OF
river from Conrsds shoals thirty five miles ueluw
Brainerd) to Grand Rapids Oeiug placed at S5l..
l27. 80.
Before the work OF improvement commenced
in 1850, boats drawing TWO feet OF water FIRE.
quentiy experienced difficulty between Aitkin
and Grand Rapids. The work thus far has given
generally athrce-fooi depth between those points,
hon rf-fvt
and snags are always liable TO fo-m.
The amount expended under this plan (includ-
ing outstanding labitles) TO June 20, 1884, Is
SH,OIs.5T.
The sum q $40 900, asked for the fiscal year
ending June %, 1896, IS TO be expended In re-
moval Of snags. leaning tres. bouders and Jars.
{. Chippewa River, i-consin-This work
consists in the construction OF dams aud jetties
to narrow the waterway and the revetment OF
AK, IN accordance with the plan adopted in
1916, the cost of which was based upon results
OF survey reported upon January 50, 1873. The
cost was placed az SIS, 30; revised estimates.
iSS3. placed cost OF pleting necessary improve
ments at Si9475.SJ' With nc balance of funds
remaining from the appropriation OF SIS 600, by
set Of Aug. >, lSss, repairs were male to tho
east jetiy at mouth OF The river aud Flower pot
dam extended ard repaired
Where works have been constructed and man-
taiucd the low water depth. which was originally
about eighteen inches, has been increased 10
ABOUT three feet.
The sum uf $4,000 esi. nc probably expended
during the fiscal year June -. 1885. In confirm
;ng the work under the present plan.
rutal amount expended 20 June 30. 1884 lin
gliding outstanding iabilitiesi, SSi, g03. 80.
3. chippewa river at Yellow banks, Wiscou-
sin.--'The project Tor this improvement was ad-
opted in February. 1883, the cost based gpol the
results % survey reported Epun Jan. -. 1873,
and re- i.f. s,ff he's IN s,F
the wuEk i "a prevent the wearing away OF the
high saLl banks, or hiuifs. bordering the river
between It's moalh and Eau Claire The protec-
iicn work consists uf rrveimenI OF brush. sand.
and piles az foui az the slnpc.
The appropriation Of $4,000 asked for the
fiscal year ending Jane 80. 1856, 70 DC applied in
continuing the work as begun.
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