Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-08-01
RIVER INTELLIGENCE.
Meeting Of Coal Operators and River Pilots
TO Discuss improvements.

The coal operators and river pilots met yes
terday morning at the Office of John A. Wood
q Son. The meeting was called at the re-
quest Of Colonel Merrill in order to ascertain
what improvements were necessary on the
Ohio river. and at what points the river was
most dangerous. Colonel Merrill thought il
would be best to have the riyermen direct the
work Of clearing the Ohio themselves, because
when he undertook to do the work without
consulting the operators and pilots there was
always dissatisfaction manifested with the
work, and to put an end to this he thought 1t
would be well to take this course. In pursu-
ance to the call issued by Captain Wood a large
representation of riyermen gathered at his
ONCE yesterday morning. committee was
appointed to decide where the work should be
commenced. The river and harbor bill and
other questions were discussed at the
meeting. The general opinion of those
who attended the meeting was that
the present bill 'snow pending before
Congress would be passed ard that the appro-
priatIons asked for would be made. This will
be used in making repairs and clearing the
rivers of the many distractions After the
meeting adjourned the committee who were
appointed met and decided that work should
be commenced at once at Logstown. near Econ
omy. and at Marietta Island dam. 1t was sug-
gested that the dam, which is on the north
side of the river, be removed to the opposite
side, so that the water would not be forced over
the dixie about half q mile below. AS it stands
at present boats are in imminent danger of be-
ing sunk while passing over the dixie and it
either has to be raised two feet or change
the dam above. It was thought best
to do this as it would not entail
as large amount of money to make this i'm
proyement. This dixie, which is Il 900 feet long,
was built in order to keep sufficient water in
the harbor at Marietta, and it would have to be
raIQad faa for fhoA Aar,, h<rr nho
committee thought this to be the most feasible
OF the two plans suggested for making it safe,
and at the afternoon session instructed Colonel
Merrill. who has charge of Government i'm
provements. to proceed accordingly. Another
dangerous place on the Ohio is at Wellsburr
The committee also directed that work be com
menced there as soon as possible II is yery
likely that improvements will be first made on
the Marietta dam. THIS place has been the
cause or coal Operators losing considerable
money Dy me wreckipg Of fleets. Last Novem-
per tnree neets of Brown & Sons and one of
Captaln Wooo were sunk at this place by rum
hlng on t1e dikes. At Logstown and Wells
purg tne DAMS are very old and are badly In
need Of repair.
Business about the wharf was brisk yester-
boats are Land up. The mp river line packets
carried large cargoes during the day. Arrivals
Jas g. Blame and Germania, from Morgan
town; Elizabeth from Geneva. Departures
Blaine and Germania. for Morgantown; Eliza
beth, for Geneva, Leaving to-day, A. M,
Adam Jacobs; 8 P. M, Jas. G. Blaine for Nor
gantown; Elizabeth, for Geneva River feet
aud inches, fall of inches in "A hours. At
Davis Island 1t was feet and inches at P. M