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

by the appropriation for the Mississippi river
The work carried on under the title, elm
fproving upper Mississippi river, operating
snag boats,'' etc., is most important. An
estimate with this title has been submitted to
congress, and in any bill framed the item
should not be Omitted. Unless an Apr opri-
alton is made the snag boats must lie idle;
and between st. Paul and the mouth Of the
Missouri boats must suffer the consequences.
Theupper Mississippi is full of wrecks, many
of which are liable in themselves to become
distractions; these and suags and falling
trees are liable at any time TO seriously OBJ
struct or even prohibit navigation. The means
must, in the interest of upper river naviga-
ton, be at hand for their removal.
The records will show that since the gov
eminent com menced its work of operating
snag boats, etc., on the upper Mississippi,
the wrecking of boats has ceased, and the
money return to navigators and the general
public, as q result of the work OF snagging,
ETC., is inestimable.
/. Harbor at Duluth, Minimize present
plan of improvement was adopted in 1881, and
is based upon the report and estimates OF q 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 i'll appendix, was increased TO
S3O5.42
The appropriation of SIPS 00O asked for the
fiscal year ending June 80, 1886, is to be applied
to dredging and maintenance of piers bordering
the canal.
2. Dredging Superior Bay, Wisconsin.-The
/ tI,
Dor was adopted in 1881, aud contemplated pro-
viding depth of sixteen feet of water by dredg-
! ing.
Total estimated cost 1912, 1850, including pres
! ervaiion OF the piers at the entry.
The condition of the harbor and works at the
! close of the fiscal year was as follows: least
depth of sixteen feet throughout the entry; and
| in the Quebec and Northern Pacific 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 1881, under the present project, the ruling
| depth in the entry eleven feet.
Amount expended since adoption of the pres
ent project, $50, 847.45.
The sum of $50, 900 asked for the fiscal year
ending June 3d. 1886, to be expended in dredg
| ing and maintenance Of piers.
| 9. Harbor at Grand Msras, Minnesota-The
| project for improvement adopted in 1879 pro-
vided for breakwater, and for dredging within
| the area bounded by May hew's point and the in
ner shore line, to afford anchorage for vesse
drawing sixteen feet. Work upon the breakwa-
| ter was completed August 81. Dredging was re
sumed August l, and continued until the sixth
day Of September, when the allotment for dredg
| ing was exhausted In addition, the shore end
of breakwater was strengthened.
The appropriation of $50 O0J asked for the ifs
cal year ending June 30, 1885, is 10 be expended
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 and feasibility OF improving
them in the interest Of commerce.. The 10
cality is known as Two Harbors.
A survey of st. Louis bay and of the st.
Louis river, Minnesota and Wisconsin is in
progress and expected to be completed about
the middle of January. The com mercial de-
velopments..on both shores Of this bay, and
especially along Riee's Point, in Minnesota,
and at Conn0r's Point in Wisconsin, and on
the bay in Wisconsin, will 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 d Iron
| Range road was pleted 10 Vermiiion Lake
only August II, vet nearly $4,000 tons of
ore were shipped by lake, making ifty-two
cargoes of from 575 to 2,0OC tons each.
| l. Preservation OF the Falls OF ST. Anthony
The plan for the preservation of the falls, adopted
| in 1874, contempla ted the construction OF n con-
crete dixie beneath the limestone ledge forming
the bed Of the river, 10 prevent percolstion
| through. and consequent destruction OF, the soft
! underlying sand rock: the construction Of rolling
dams TO keep the upper surface Of the limestone
| ledge flooded during the winter; and timber
apron and wings to prevent Tetrocession OF the
crest of the falls and destruction OF the dixie
etc The dixie was completed in 1876 and the
other works by 1878 Since 1873 work has been
conansd mainly to the preservation and repair of
/ the timber structures.
| II the work is IN be continued the sum Of
$50 OJ0 will be needed for the fiscal year ending
june 80, 1886 to be expended in extending the
! line OF submerged CRIB work NJ the toe OF the
/ apron, repairs to the timber work IN the angle,
| aud general repairs.
p Mississippi River above the Falls Of St
| Antony. Minuesota.-The present project
adopted 10 1880, contemplates the improvement
OF the river mainly between Aitkin and Grand
Rapids by the removal OF snags, boulders, lean
| ing trees and bars, 50 as 10 afford from three 10
! i've feet depth OF water for navigation
The cost is based upon the results Of survey
made In 1874, and reported upon February s,
| 1875. the estimate for improving the extent OF
|
Brainerd) 70 Grand Rapids being placed ut $751;
| 127 50,
Before the work OF improvement commenced
| In 1880, boats drawing two feet Of water fire.
| qusnty experienced difficulty between Aitkin
and Grand Rapids. The work thus far has given
generally athree foot depth between those points,
! though bouders yet remain requiring removal,
and snags are always liatle to form.
| The amount expended under this plan includ-
| ing outstanding liAbilities) 10 June 90 1884, Is
! S3t,0ls.57.
The sum Of $4,000, asked for the fiscal year
ending June 80, 1886, is to be expended ia re-
moval OF snags, leaning trees, bouders and nars.
4. Chippewa River, Wisconsin-This work
! consists Ia the construction of dams and jetties
/ 10 narrow the waterway and the revetment OF
! banks. In accordance with the PLAZA adopted in
| 1876, the cost OF which was based upon results
OF a survey reported upon January 80, 1873 The
! cost was placed at s75 100; revised estimates,
/ 1854, placed cost of completing necessary improve
| ments at St9,476.35' With the balance Of tGnds
/ remaining from the appropriation OF s35, geo, by
| act Of Aug. ., 1889, repairs were made to the
/ east jetty at mouth OF the river and Fiower-pot
/ dam extended and repaired.
Where works have been constructed and main
/ tanned the low water depth, which was originally
/ about eighteen inches, has been increased 10
/ about three feet.
/ The sum Of SIS 900 car, be proataby expended
during the fiscal year June so. 1888. In confirm
! ing the work under the present plan.
Total amount expended 20 June 80, 1884 TN
/ Guiding outstanding liShilitiesl, Ss1. 50.
D. Chippewa river az Yellow Banks, Wiscon-
/ sin.--The project for this Improvement was nd
1 opted la February. 1883, the cost based upon the
/ results Of survey reported upon Jan. 81, 1873,
/ and a revision ~ the same IN 1888. Object OF
/ the work is to prevent the wearing away Of the
/ high sand banks, or biufs, bordering the river
/ between its mouth and Esu Claire. The protec-
/ ton work consists OF rcvegmcnt OF brush, sand,
I and piles al fout o. the slope.
! The appropriation OF $4,000 asked for the
fiscal year ending June 80. 1856, 20 DC applied in
/ continuing the work - begun.