Telegram-herald., 1889-11-07
DOWN STREAM AGAIN.
Col. Ludlow and 4 Party Inspect
the River.
THE GRAND RIVER Nay BE DREDCED
col. LUDLOW Came 20 Get Posted on the
Kiser-He Can Make No Report tn-
les Ordered 10 10 So-Loeks Tor
the River suggested.

The Committee from the Board Of
Trade and Congressman Belknap, who
invited Col. Wm. Ludlow 20 come here
from Detroit for the purpose u look
ing over the river in reference 10 the
ship canal, were at the Barrett's iand-
ing ON time yesterday morning, and the
old boat left the dock on nearly
schedule time.
The party consisted of Col Nm.
Ludlow, United States Engineer, having
under his supervision all the harbcrs
on Lakes Michigan and Huroni Col.
Geo. G. Briggs, president of the Board
of Trade; Hon. c. T. Belknap, F. W.
Lehnartz, Charles Sigh, John Widdi-
comb, Gen. /. c. Smith, NJ. G.. Randall
and press representatives.
Colonel Ludlow took notes on the
soundings which were made AT all the
shallow places as far down as Lamont.
The water at Rosbarge Island bar,
just above Mobiles plaster mills was
30 inches deep, at NOble's mill 80
inches, Mt lower Hewlett bar AZ inches,
at Grandville 3G inches, at Jennison SS
inches, At BOynton's bar II inches. No
trouble was experienced in passing
these bars. except at Boynton's, ,whenthe
boat struck and remained fast for a
half hour. The worst bars are at points
where the channel dredged in 1884
changes from one side of the river bed
TO the other.
Col. Ludlow was invited by Mr.. Belk-
nap TO come here and look the river
over, not in an official way, but as a
man Of wide experience in such mat
ters, in order that his advice and coun-
sci might be asked. The colonel was
at one time in charge of the water
works at Philadelphia, afterwards he
was stationed at Washington, and five
or six months ago he was placed at De-
trOit as chief engineer of the harbors
on the two lakes mentioned above.
He is fully alive to the vast COM
merce of the lakes. He saws that Chi
cago is a greater port than New York.
from the fact that % 900 vessels left
New York last wear in twelve months,
while 10000 vessels left Chicago in
seven months, or an AVERAGE OF about
ninety daily, while New YOrk's daily
average was but sixtv-Seven. The coast
line under his jurisdiction extends over
$500 miles, making it the most, or one
of the most, important positions in the
engineering service of the country.
1t is difficult to make those who heve
not been around the lakes, he says, be-
lieve that such large appropriations are
necessary for the improvements needed
in these districts. lie blames the news
papers for the difficulty which is ex-
perienced in securing river and harbor
Improvement legislation. Each editor
can see the pressing need of an apprO-
priatiOn for the harbor or river Of his
own city, but has any amount of OBJ
structions to throw in the way Of any
improvements at other places, and this
kicking of the newspapers has had a
disastrous effect in getting apprOpria-
tons for much needed improvements.
Col. Ludlow suggested that it might
be cheaper to build lock at Lamont
and. if necessary, one at Grandvllle,
but this brings up a serious problem.
There are number Of creeks flowing
into the river. and If the river is damned
for lock. the water in these creeks
Will set back and overflow all the fiat
land each side of the river. The only
wav to overcome this would be to build
h.gh banks along each creek. back far
enough 90 gDrevcnt overflow. which
would incur a large expenditure of
money.
In the cOlonel's opinion there Is moth
ing but the matter OF money to prevent
the dredging of the river. The soil
thrown mp by the dredging of 81 is of
such character rs 10 hold the banks
well. and is easily dredgcd. He thinks
that eight or nine feet Of water is al
that is needed for large pcr cent. Of
the lake boats. He is much interested
in All Improvements of lakes and rivers,
hut can make no report or recommend
alton until he is ordered q DO so rs he
is under the control of the War Depart
ment.
The cost of dredging the river TO The
required depth can oasilvh ascerta'Dod
after II i- found how much per cubic
v0rd 'tc work can b. done Tor. IF
there IS amy limestone rock n tho bed
fl iiIf liltl il'fi lfif GUY, To N iil iiti
prevent dredging. as al such soft rocks
can ho taken ont with the improved
dredCCs
II was Tho plan Of tho party 90 roach
Ferrvshurc n time 60 t1kc Tho . O'Clock
train back to tho citv. hut a head wind
retarded the boat snmowhat. and q long
't0n was made to take on some harrci
0f apples and cnicr The rest of thc
trip was made ENJOYABLE in transferring
% p1rt Of the contents &C ono of thc
CIDER barrels 20 Tho s,omschs os tine
passongcrs bat the boat dl noi roach
tho pier at F-rrvshurc unfl tho even.
ing train bad loft and thcparty dd not
return til 10 O'Clock.
Kirmes' Hirmcs' Sfrurs' Kirm~s