The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1892-02-27
FEB. 26. 1892.
SAVANNAH. GA, Nov. 10, 1891.

SAVANNAH. GA, Nov. 10. 1891.
Col W. j. Vim, CITY Engineer:
The drainage of tidewater lands is subject TO
greater variety of conditions than is generally
supposed. The irregulaTity in the fall of the
tide is the chief trouble OF thorough drainage.
In this section of the country easterly winds
northeast winds more particularly-keep the
tides from falling. so that when there Is but
comparatively little water in the drains, or
bitches the water cannot find vent. This con
dition OF things was the case from about the
middle of August to about Oct. 90 Of this year,
during which time the tides did not fall
TO within Is inches to ? feet as it has done
since westerly winds have prevailed. Heavy
rains fill the low lands to such an extent that
the present trunks are not sufficient to take the
water off; heavy rains in the up country caus-
ing freshets in the river keepa the river 50 full
that the tides are kept up. Long and circuitous
bitches are great drawback, This center ditch
in Springfield plantation is some 1900 feet long.
then the lateral bitches emptying into this
ditch adds greatly to its length. Now take
moderately dry time and say there is IS inches
Of water in this center ditch near the trunk and
take the best condition of the tide for good
drainage, just as soon as the water in the river
gets below the water in the ditch, and not I'M
til then does the trunk begin to draw. Now.
then, the time the trunk has TO draw 10 until
She food tide makes, SO as to be above the wa
ter in the ditch, which is about two hours, the
water in the ditch having fallen
river will close the shutter of the trunk than
when IL opened. Now you have had but two
hours out Of the twelve, to get rid of the water
in the ditch and you have ten hours for the
water to accumulate near the trunk, for you
must not be deceived into thinking that the
water in this IS 900 to 1900 feet Of ditch has
fallen as 1t has near the trunk. Not so: for
You will find If you will examine for yourself
that the water in the bitches at the further
ends will scarcely have been affected and will
not be until it has had time 10 trickle down to-
ward the outlet finding its level.
II is this small body of water that we want TO
getrd of-this shallow water that decomposes,
gets green on top and creates bad smells, q
small body Of water that has but little power
10 push itself along, SO as to get to the outlet.
To illustrate how slowly water travels, think
how long 1t takes O freshet In coming from
Augusta to Savannah, distance o: $40 miles
seven days-l68 hours, which is less than ~
miles per hour; and that heavy BODY of water
pushing itself along with all its might. Besides
the sluggish moving of the water In the ditches
more water is continually draining through the
land; springs also helping to add to the water 10
and but two to escape
What is the remedy for this? think broad
outlets near the basin into which the water
empties and as near that basin, the river, as is
practicable and the nearer the better. The
bitches near the farof points narrow, so as to
nave less expanse OF water exposed and only
deep enough to drain the land properly
This eighteen inches of water that /
take as data to go by, will flow just at that
depth at drst but Of course, lesseninR in depth
as the tide falls. Suppose you have a trunk that
- . l6ot WtucS tu00 you VIII nave OIeeB OF water
noW1ng through 1t, increase that width to feet
and you have just double the water going out
stronger current in the ditohes above and
quicker radiance OF the water. Aquatic plants
are great drawback TO good drainage; very
much more SO than is generally supposed
have given much thought as to the way the
shutters or ordinary draining trunks have been
made, and think they can be greatly improved
upon, The old rice field shutter is in use The
muZZle to the trunk Is made to slope back from
the bottom OF the trunk to the top at various
angles, thus throwing the shutter out of perpen-
dicular. The arms holding the shutter IN place
are about ~ feet long; the roller on which the
shutter swings Qor 7-foot trunk is about
inches diameter, Now, would make the arms
10 feet long, and use steel rod inch diameter
for the hinge, keeping the bearings we'll
creased and hang the shutter perpen-
dlcularly The weight OF a shutter feet
deep and feet wide is about l. 100 pounds: can
you not see that it will take a considerable head
OF water to push such shutter off, that has
any slope backward to Ity l have with this a
craving OF shutter placed perpendicuarly
ana with q new arrangement, which would like
70 see tried. The idea is, that instead of having
the heavy shutter weight is necessary for
strength and to keep the shutter from fioatfng)
extend all the way to the bottom of the trunk,
let 1t extend to one foot of the bottom and
from that point down use thinner board
put OF wood that will not float secured to the
shutter with copper hinges working loosely In
the joints. The fact is, TO secure good drain
be removed
The advantage Of the trunk ia that it works
automatically, but yet It needs attention
Gates that hoist by creased wheels are much
peter, but would require continual attention,
night and day OF course pumping by steam
t os vino would assist greatly in making per-
tect system. w. p. CARMICHAEL
SunorntAnd nj nrQinauo