Belmont chronicle. [volume] (St. Clairsville, Ohio) 1855-1973, 1885-03-19

front and one-fourth of a mile back, containing
about $4,000 trees, and as they appeared to me
to be about Is years growth, estimated their
production to be 300 oranges per tree, which
would make seven and ene-half million Of
oranges, which, at say one cent apiece in the
orchard, would yield an annual gross revenue
of $4,000.
Forts St. Philips and Jackson are next
reached, which protected New Orleans against
the Union feet for several months, but we're
finally passed by Farragut and the city captur-
ed. Descending a little fartherdown the river
We pass the Quarantine station. All the way
down from the city to this point the scenery is
varied and attractive. From here to the gulf
a distance of 25 miles, the shores are nothing
but narrow strip of mud separating the river
from the gulf, and is what is commonly
called the Delta, which has been formed by the
river depositing the sand and sediment with
which it is freighted-vast quantities of which
is thus brought down daily and yearly from
along the borders of this wonderful river, and
its multitude of tributaries, which reach like
arms and fingers stretched far out in the north
draining vast area of country-chief of which
is the Missouri, which in extent is equal to the
Mississippi itself above st. Louis, u miles
above which is their junction. The Missouri
possessing, as it does, al all times the charac-
teristic of muddiness, which it imparts to the
ifadr all tbo -
have thought that it should have been the one
to have retained the name. But this is di-
gresson.
We now approach the Jetties themselves, to
see and examine, which was the chief cause of
the excursion. 1t is, perhaps, the greatest
engineering enterprise of the age. About Is
or 30 miles above the gulf proper the river
branches off into three distinct channels, called
passes, at which point there is light house.
The one to the left-hand is called the south
east pass; the one on the right, southwest pass,
and the remaining one is the middle or south
pass. Into this latter our boat entered, and
steamed rapidly down what seemed to be very
narrow stream, as indeed it was compared to
the broad river just left.
We were now in plain view of the place where,
the jetties commence, some ten miles distant.
In half an hour more we arrived at Eadsport-
which is butt in the middle of wild country,
neither land nor water, but a mixture of both.
Here the work of the jetties commenced, and
extend down and out into the gulf some FIVE
miles. They are constructed by first driving
piles (long logs about ten inches or foot in
thickness) in two rows about five feet apart,
along either side of the pass; then long willow
rods, something like the size of hoop-poles, are
filed in between these rows of piles to near
the top of them, about five or six feet above the
water-the rods are weighted down with rock
or gravel, which isr brought as ballast in ships
from different foreign countries and discharged
at Eadsport. The channel is made barely wide
enough in which large vessels can turn. Out
side of these rows of piles and willow filling,
on either side and about fifty feet from them,
is another row of piles and filling like the first,
so that between the inner and outer rows of
piles and filing, the river washes in sand and
sediment which deposits there until it is filled
to the top, on which there grows cane grass;
there are then two complete levees, one on
either side, confning the water to a narrow
channel, which increases the current and there
fore washes out the sediment into the gulf and
there maintains depth of water sufficient for
the largest ships. This is the whole matter
When once seen, it is easily understood, and
like many other things when once discovered
or invented, it seems very simple.
Under the contract with; Capt. Eads, thirty
feet is required. There is now thirty-two at
shallowest point. ALI that is necessary, should
the depth decrease by reason of sediment lodg-
ing at the bottom, is to extend the jetties
farther out into the gulf.
Our boat passed down to near the jetteis,
turned in the narrow channel, came back up
to Eadsport, landed and let the passengers run
out on shore and gather souvenirs for half an
hour, and then the bell rang "all on board" and
soon we were steaming back to the city. 1t
WAS Ho" near HiSnI, anu ny tue ume We drrlf-
ed at the head of the pass, the shades of eve
ming had settled down, and our sightseeing for
the day was over.
After some fine music by the boats excel
lent band, we all retired for the night, and
slept soundly, and when we awoke in the morn
ing about daylight we were nearing our landing
at the foot of Canal straat
We all voted that We had one of the most
pleasant, interesting and enjoyable little ex
cursions that we ever had the privilege of tax
ing. II. c. W.