The Memphis appeal. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1886-1890, 1888-09-02

such as warehouses, elevators and cotton
congresses and a valuable paved landing,
which, by affording terminal facilities. un-
excelled by any port on the river, were of
marked benefit to the maritime commerce
of Memphis, and hence to that OF the river
at large. As this work is now completed,
and to all appearances entirely successful,
summary OF its history seems appropri-
ate. Prior to 1873 the portion OF the river
bank constituting the harbor front OF Mem
phis was comparatively stable. In 1876 it
had receded $50 feet and continued to cave
at the rate Of 100 feet per annum. The
next year, 1887, the engineer officer in
charge was directed to make q sur
vey and to report upon the feasibility OF
aflording relief from the impending
danger. He submitted a plan for the
,. prevention of further caving by reveting
the bank with willow mattresses ballasted
with stone. This reveting it was pro-
posed TO form OF mattresses 100 feet long,
50 feet wide and p feet thick. They
were built at suitable place, floated 10
their proper sites, and sunk side by side.
The upper end OF each was about at low
water line, and il covered fifty-fve feet Of
bank for distance Of 100 feet from that
line. From the low-water line to that OF
n stage ten feet above low water the bank
was to be covered with layer OF brush
and stone, similar in construction TO the
latter work. Revetment was then in the
earliest stage Of its development, and, al
though this was a distinct advance
beyond anything previously projected,
which are easily observable by comparison
with the class of work now considered
standard. The project was approved and
appropriations aggregating $4,000 were
made on its execution in lS7S-79, 1880 and
1881. After the first season the work be-
gan TO show signs OF weakness and the
caving recommended, but at few points
only, and very slowly. The last season.
work was devoted entirely TO repairs Of
that previously done, and at its close the
whole enterprise was still in precarious
condition. by provision OF the river and
harbor act OF August 2, 1882, this work
passed into the control Of
THE MISSISSIPPI RIVER COMMISSION,
and thoy made an allotment Of $4,000
from that appropriation 10 extend and re-
pair the revetment, as the decline Of the
preceding flood had revealed a situation
still more alarming. In making these re-
pairs the original plan was modified
by extending the upper bank protection
10 high water. The allotment sufliced 10
10 small patches Of work mt the most ur-
gent points and only postponed the dan
ger. The river and harbor act OF July 8,
1884, contained n provision for the ex-
pendilure OF 100000 in the protection Of
Memphis harbor. With this sum available
an opportunity was afforded 20 abandon
the old work and plan and begin anew
upon the later and more successful meth.
DDS which had by that time been developed
at other points.
The new plan contemplated the protec-
ton Of the bank by continuous revetment
FROM THE MOUTH or WOLF RIVER
20 the lower end Of the paved levee, n TO.
tai distance OF Z, 200 feet. Greater eilicion.
CIV was secured by extending the sub
mucous mattress $50 10 800 feet from low
water as against 1875 and $50 feet in the
old work. Increased stability was obtain
ed by carrying a continuous longitudinal
band through the mattress so that ans
part receiving too great strains could trans
Ter the excess 10 adjacent portions above
and below, avoiding the destruction Of the
work by successive attacks upon isolated
pieces. Econonomy In construction re-
suited from a decrease In the thickness
OF the brush-work, thus reducing In,
amount Of material required TO cover &
given area.
Operations under the new plan were be.
gun at the end Of July, 1884, under mos
uniayorable conditions The river wa.
considerably above low stage and rising
with much drift running. The iirst at
a.. IfttlI NNun ma
feet WIDE 10 be sunk side by side, makinJ
the protection 800 feet wide. When thcs'
were finished the strong current and nc
cumulation Of drift under the outer on'
made Il maniicstly dangerous 10 try :,
sink IL, ~ originally intended, aud Il wa
droppcd down and sunk below It's com
panion. few days later a mat 200 fee
was begun, and when 200 feet had beer
built AN attempt 10 sink IL was made. Dur
ing the operation II tore In two an'
the posts were sunk separately. This mis-
hap determined the postponemcna 10 !
moro favorable stage OF the nyo
of the construction Of wide mats
and TO give temporary protection
mattress 100 feet In width was laid dow
Wolf river 20 jefferson street, a disianc
of 4. 500 feet and the corresponding uppo
bank work put lown. Early in Noycm
Der, 1884, the vide mats were resumes
and under tho more favorable condition
then prevailing were built and sunk with
out loss or difficulty from n point ~
feet below Wolf river 20 the middle OF th
elevator, n distance Of goo feet. Thci
construction WIS then interrupted by risin
water, which put an end 10 the workin
season.
The small balance rcmaing did not Just
~ the resumption Of work. There ,,
manned 10 be- protected the entire lcngi
Of the public landing which had bee
graded and paved by the city Mt n cost {
nearly SjOO,UO0. Changes In the regime
above had meanwhile transformed th
maximum strain
PROM THE VICINITY ~ THE ELEVATOR
20 the upper end Of this landing, and
began 10 yield gradually, the pavemcr
from low 90 high water aiiording mca,
urc OF protection. That the landing vi
not DESTROYED before further funds BEGAN
available attribute 10 the fact that Hops
field point was at that time receding at
very rapid rate, and causing the point ,
greatest strain on this side 10 travel dow
stream 20 fast that there was not time
do great damage nj any one place.
The river aud harbor act Of August
1885, contained an appropriation
$50, $50 20 complete this work Operation
were resumed In October following 4
thol late beginning made u improbab
that the entire landing could be protecic
- before high water, and M the greatest da
s,,r una then nj tho lowef end tho ugti