The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-05-28
WORK ON THE FLATS.
Engineers Arranging the Sys-
TEN of Bulkheads.
DREDGING WILL SOON BEGIN.
Survey To Determine Depth of FIJI
Two Big Dredgers Comins-Rush
to Buy Tide Lands.

Capt. r ". Symons the United States
engineer who Is chief in charge OF the
work of filling in the tide fats and dig
ging the canal, and A. J. ellis. chief en-
gineer OF the state land commissioners.
were in the city yesterday morning. They
went out on the tide flats where pile Gr1V-
ers are at work driving piles for one OF
the hulkheads and were accompanied by
j. X. Savage. the government engineer
who Will have direct charge OF the work,
II. E. Durfe -. A. Mckenzie, Attorney
j. r. Hale. OF the Seattle and Lake Wash
iRgton Waterway Company. and others.
Capt. Symons left az 2:i0 In the afternoon
for Montana, where he will look after
public improvements along certain rivers.
and will return 10 Seattle in about ten
DAYS.
Capt. Symons explained that he was
here with Mr.. ellis for the purpose of de-
termining the character OF the bulkhead
TO be constructed along the west side of
contract No. TO retain the fills. on which
work has already been commenced by the
Seattle and Lake Washington Waterway
Company: also TO ascertain the best
methods OF determining the quantities of
the MI on the territory 10 enable the land
commissioners TO certify to the amount
The captain expressed himself as pleased
with the work as far as progress has been
made. and in answer 10 a question as to
when the work would be commenced in
dead earnest, with many men employed,
he said:
You know this is an immense under
taking and il requires some time TO get
started. The old saying that a good start
is the journey half ended is a good one
ana applies in the present case. IL will
take some little while Yet 10 get every
thing in shape and this is being done as
rapidly as possible. and at the present
time men are at work in as large numbers
as possible and practicable"
Capt. Symons said that within week
or ten days the dredger at Swinomish
slough would be through and would be
brought TO this city and be set at work
Immediately on the tide flats covered by
contract No. g. The dredger in Portland
which Is very large one. will not be
available Immediately. for IL is not cop
pered. being in fresh water, but so soon
as IL can be properly coppered il will be
brought TO the Sound and put to work
This dredger IS one of the largest of ,ts
KIND on the Coast and will make the
earth fly when once ii gets TO work in
earnest
Mr. ellis Will remain in the city for
several days looking over the ground and
gathering data on which 10 file a report
with W. T. Forrest. the commissioner of
public lands. probably until Capt. Symons
returns from Montana
Mr.. ellis said yesterday that several
modiffcations OF the original plans OF the
buIhhead have been agreed upon. after
consultation with some of the principal
property holders. He said: I've didn't
Ike the original plan on account OF the
dlihG!lty In driving sheet -piling through
the slabs which cover the grounds and
TINS viii probably be changed"
with reference to the applications for.
the purchase of tide lands Mr.. ellis saws
that the Office OF the commissioner of
public lands at Olympia is filled with an
piications and that much work and CORE
spondence Is necessary 10 properly attend
10 the matter. lie says that some OF the
appilcants have sent their money over
with their applications. but il has been
returned with a letter explaining that i'm
no case viii money be accepted i'm nav
ment for tide lands until the applicant is
hotlfed by the commissioner that he Is
entitled TO purchase. There are many CON
tests 10 unravel and knotty points OF
equity TO study out and all this will take
time and much patience 1t Will probable
be about fifty days before notices 10 an
plcants OF their right to purchase will be
nut