The Dalles times-mountaineer. [volume] (The Dalles, Or.) 1882-1904, 1890-03-08
island of Sicily susceptible to wheat cul-
ture for more than two thou aad ears"
The chief of engineers makes the fol

ture lOr more tnan Two thOu> aau ears. Z"
The chief of engineers makes the fol
lowing report.
SIR: The river and harbor act of
August II, 1888, section 13, authorizes
and directs the Secretary of War to sp-
point Board of three engineers from the
United States Army, whose duty it shall
be 10 thoroughly examine the obsttu;
ions to navigation in the Columbia River.
at the palles and Cello Falls, and at
Three and Ten Mile Rapids, und requires
report as to the feasibility and advis-
ability of overcoming such Instructions
by means of boa3 railway at the Dulles
and Celllo Falls, and by widening to a
navigable status for large-tonnage liver
boats the channel of said river at Three
and Ten Mile Rapids, accompanied by
careful and detailed plans, with estimates
of the cost and statement as to the use
fulness of such Improvements to navi
cation and OF their relations and value to
commerce; and the Board is also required
to report as to any other plan or project
for overcoming said distractions at said
points, whereby said distractions 10 nav
legation mGy be removed, which, In the
Judgment of the Board, may be deemed
either more desirable than the above or
worthy of consideration by the Secretary
of War and Congress.
In the preliminary report, dated Dec
emher IS, 1888, the Board, after discuss
ing the various projects presented, con-
cluded that single~track portage rail-
way, estimated to cost $4S1 800, which
h., taA ;,.
undoubtedly be the quickest and cheapest
solution of the existing difficulties.
Recognizing that this project is not
free from objections, in that it requires
trans shipment of freight, and that while
adequate fer present demands it may not
answer future requirements, the Board
bss, as directed in the act of August II,
1888, caused to be prepared a second
project. which 1t now recommends as
final solution of the problem.
In this project boats are taken from the
river at the foot of the Dalles Rapids, and
are returned to the river at the head Of
Cello Falls by means of hydraulic lifts,
ono at each terminus, and are transported
over tbs iutermeaiqte distance on rail-
way little more than miles In length. |
The estimate of cost of the whole system, |
with equipment of two cars and four en-
gines, capable of passing eight boats Of
600 tons weight loaded In each direction
In twelve hours, including necessary build
ings and 10 per cent. for contingencies,
is SO G90.356 35. Estimate for Three
Mile Rapids is $4,000, making an az
gregate of $2,s80, ,396.85. 1t is estimated
that a further expenditure of SflG,O00 in
buildings, cars, engines and side tracks
will afford the maximum capacity OF
forty boa's each way in twenty. -four
hours.
The annual cost of maintenance to pass
sixteen boats IN twelve hours is estimated
70 be $4,000.
A third project for overcoming the OBJ
itrIctione to the navigation of the COL
imbla ut this Eoipt gas presented ip the
.ary report of the Board, dated ncceml,er
s, 1888, and in The project of Major
iandhury for locks aud canals at cost
# SO, ,754, ,355, WHICH sun the Board thinks
will have to be materially increased.
Further objections to this plan are
oupd by the board IN the estimated cost
# Improvement of the Ten Mile rapids,
q their judgment placed too low, and in
he necessity for extensive works for the
pater supply of the summit. Hydraulic
it's at the termini of the canals might
finnish the quantity of water needed at
be snplmit level and the cost of the nee :
ssary excavation, bAt egeH yi;h these
the board does not consider
MS project the best method ofi:overcom-
~ tue obstruction to navigation in this
,csiity.
My views upon thess projects are that
rdinarily the best meth9d for passing
lch distractions IS exist in the Co'um
ia at The Dailes is by means OF locks
id canals, but in this case the objccIions
resented ty the board as to cost and
her dificulties would make me hesitate
recommend their construction. Tie
,mense production OF grain In the val -
v of the upper waters of the Columbia r
I'd its tributaries Is well known, but the I
st of handling this grain and other
rm products at the upper end of por-
ge railway from the boats to the cars. O,
ID at the lover end from the cars to the @
,ats. would soon eaf Gp'tie profits OF ~
e farmers, and would in the end amount =
an enormous tax upon their industry. =
This objection of the Board to tina /
stem of construction Is well taken, and L
,uId seem to throw out, if for no other
,son, the building of Il portage railway.
The remaining device, the boat railway,
recommended by the Board, is, in nv
igmept, fsssible, and appears to be the
st solution Of th6 pfoplei.i presented.
nv respectfully. your obedient servant,
THos LINCOLN CASEY, III
Brig. Gen, Chief of Engineers. III
N. REDFIELD PROCToR, Iii
Secretary OF War.
Hr. Dolph has introduced bill ap
,prIa,ing $2,5O0,000 TO complete the
" at the mouth of the Columbia river. o., l
{ delegation have great hopes of pass '''
both Of those bills this session of nj
gress. fbey may p8t get the full uI
onut of both bills, but fiey will no =.
Ibt get the largest appropriations ever sR
10 foY the improvement Of the Uolum No. MOI
river. u, ". peSELL. gral