Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1895-09-12
IMPROVING THE POTOMAC
Major Davis Report Of the Extent of Opera
~- tions During August
Continued Construction of the Sea
of the Eastern Branch Bridge.

Maj. Davis has made report to the chief
OF engineers of operations during the past
month for improving the Potomac river
The construction of the sea wall in the
tidal reservoir was continued and good pro-
gress made $50 linear feet of wall being
completed during the month. On the north
east margin Of the reservoir the wall is
now complete from the reservoir outlet to
the bathing beach, a dists1 ce of 2,044 feet
The construction of the training dyke on
the west side of the Virginia channel was
continued until August 10. when the work
under the contract of E. G. Gummel was
completed. The dixie has been extended
LOCO feet. During the month the wreck of
an old sand scow, 80 feet long and u feet
wide, which had sunk just above the reser-
voir outlet, was raised and deposited be-
hind the training dixie.
The Aqueduct Bridge.
In regard to the Aqueduct bridge. Maj
Davis says that the repairs to pier No. 4
were completed early in August when
pumping was stopped and the cofferdam
was allowed to fill with leakage. This re-
quired about twenty-four hours, and at it's
conclusion hole was cut in the sheet
piling to allow the tide to ebb and flow in
the dam. The temporary truss was then
frightened up and both structures were
left intact for future operations. The con-
tractors plant was removed from the cof-
ferdam The west side of the bridge over
the spans resting on pier No. was thrown
open for travel on the 4th ultimo. The
appropriation for the repairs of the bridge
was 1910. The total expenditure was
S46, 379. 20, leaving a balance on hand of
$4.69O.
The Eastern Branch Bridge.
With respect to the operations for the
branch of the Potomac river, Major Davis
says the field work of the survey was con-
tinued during August, and favorable pro-
gress was made. The photography of the
channel and adjacent flats was completed.
The shore line and topography on the north
bank of the river are also completed, and
similar work on the south shore is well
advanced. Piles for driving as test pipes
have been obtained. and some work on the
borings has been done. These operations
are conducted under an appropriation of
$500 in the District of Columbia appro-
priation act, approved March 2 last, for a
survey, plan and estimate of cost of a
bridge across the Eastern branch of the
Potomac river at or below the foot of
South Capitol street" 1t is expected that
the survey will be completed and borings
commenced during the present month.
The Wrecked Lady of the Lake.
Major Davis says that bids have been in
vited for the removal of the wreck of the
steamer Lady Of the Lake, which was de-
stroyed by fire February Is last, while
lying off her wharf. at the foot of street
south. The wreck lies in about twenty
feet of water, and projects about forty
feet into the limits of the dredged channel
The United States district attorney re-
ported that he had no power to compel the
owner to remove the wreck. Consequently
that work will be done under the super
vision of the engineer department of the
army. 40