The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1889-05-04
TO BRIDGE THE NJ lsslssIppI.
The Project Discussed at II Dinner at
tho st. Charles.
Times Democrat, April 21.h.l

AZ SHc ots NilSItSS laSt SNStl-
ing an informal complimentary dime:
was given to the eminent engineer
Mr.. Thns. G. Clarke, Mr.. j. G. D.ais
occupied the chair, with the guest OF
the evening on his right aud Mayor
Shakespeare at his left. There were
also present Messrs. w. Van B.n-
thuysep, Il. NJ. Hudson, Henry Shaw,
a. Brittln, "A. G. Landry, "A. j. Dels-
visue, B. NJ. Harrud, Il. L Davis, j.
W. Fairfax, I. X. Small, Gen. John
Glyun, NJ. G,lIis, +. A Daniels, j. +.
Sliger, M. J. Zuntz, Attain Eas.is and
Judge ]. NJ. Bonner.
The dinner was an exceedingly in
formal and very enjoyable aff,!r, and
after an excellent b,il uf fare had re-
ceiVed suitable attention, Mf. Hudson
opened the business of the evening by
speaking ut some length upon the
brilliant future opening to the SoGih
generally, and to New Orleans in par
ticular. He pointed cut that the
bridging OF the Mississippi was an es-
sentia1 factor in the future prosperity
of the South. and her great metropolis.
A few years ago the project would
have been regarded ss cbime;icaI, but
in the light Of recent achievements
in engineering, it became simply a
question of business enterprise, suita-
bly, backed by capital.
Mr.. Clarke spoke very briefly. He
explained that he had been called up
on to examine the river at this point
and report upon the practicubility of
bridging it by Mr.. Van Benthnysen,
and he did not think that ne could
better interest those present than by
telling them how he came TO have
business relations with the last named
gentleman, as the story had very
strong bearing on the pr.cticabili!y Of
the great enterprise, in which he pre-
all present were moro or less
interested.
Mr.. Van Benthuysen had un,.er,a-
ken to bridge the Hudson river at
an undertaking that
was in many, If not all, respects more
from an engineering point of
view than The bridging Of tue Mis-
sissippi ut New Orleans. Mr.. Van
had deemed it expedient
to secure his (Mr. Clark's) assistance,
because the Union Bridge Company,
Of which he was the engineer, was
then successfully progressing with the
bridging of the Hawkesbury river in
New South Wales, an undertaking
which, though more formidable, par
took Largely of the nature OF the work
he had undertaken.
Like the Hudson, the Hawk esbuTy
was tidal estuary. IN either river
the current was stronger than that o!
hr II I,i II
cases it was necessary to lay the f0un.
datiors for the piers a; a great depth
from the surface of the water, one or
more Of those for the Uawkesbury
bridge being laid at depth Of 17J feet
from the surface of the water. Both
the HaWkcsbury at Sidney and the
Hudson at poughkeersie had been
bridged, aud in the light of this ex-
perience these present could readily
understand that he had the utmost
confidence in his ability to bridge the
Mississippi at this point. Indeed, SO
far as engineering difficulties were con
cerned, he could see nothing in the
way Of bringing tic proposs work t"
successful termination.
There was also the question Of the
location OF the bridge to be considered.
1t would be necessary to lay the fouu-
datiobs where the banks and bed Of
the river were subject 10 tho least
possible changes, and also where the
bridge would interfere as iittlo as
possible with navigation. II would be
necessary for the projectors OF the en-
terprise to DO able TO submit to the
engineers of the War Department a
scheme which would meet with their
approval, and, Of course, these men
would not be apt to consent TO any
project which in their estimation
would ohstruct navigation. Hitherto
they had objected 10 schemes for draw
bridges which contemplated an open
ing OF 230 feet CIR thereab0u's, but the
plan which he proposed contemplated
an opening of AGO feet to be bridged by
two cantilevcr draws swinging upon
pivotal piers AGO feet apart. This, he
had no doubt, would meet with tho
unbesitatinS approval Of the govern
ment engineers.
Very brief speeches followed hy
Mayor Shakespeare, Messrs. Denis
Brittin, Daniels, Gen. Glyun, Major
Harrod, Major Davis, Messrs. Thomas
Meyer, Judge Bonner and Mr.
Fairfax.
Mr.. Van BGnthuysen said he wished
TO correct an impression which appear
ed TO prevail, to the effect shat he wa
president of a company which proposed
to build the bridge. This was iuCor
rect. a company Of gentlemen wht