The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-05-19
TO BEGIN THIS WEEK.
Work on South Canal and Tide
Flats Not Delayed.
GIANT DREDGERs ARE COMING.
Capt. Symons Here to Begin Survey
and Bulkheading Progress OF the
North Canal Survey.

Capt. Thomas ". Symons. the United
States army engineer in charge Of the De-
partment of the Columbia. and chief
engineer for the Seattle and Lake Wash
ington Waterway Company. yesterday in
spected the proposed route OF the north
canal with Civil Engineer Eugene RICK
seeker. and later in an interview spoke
very favorably OF the progress being
made toward the construction OF the
south canal
THE long PERIOD of waiting for the
commencement OF work on the south
canal" said Capt. Symons, lis about
over. The hnanciers, the lawyers and
the courts have caused much delay. IN
doubleday necessary 10 settle vexed ques-
tons and get the enterprise on solid
and secure basis. These delays are now
almost over. / understand. and active
operations are about 20 commence.
We expect to start the construction
OF the bulkhead along Railroad avenue
early next week. and during the week a
force of surveyors will be put in the field
and the actual surveys for the determine
ton of quantities OF excavation and I'LL
will commence. These surveys viii require
great care and Will take considerable time
as they must be kept well in advance
of the actual work of filling.
by the time the surveys are sufficient
~ advanced, we expect 10 have one or
more great hydraulic dredgers on the
ground and then the work of making the
dirt fly will commence in earnest and
this magnificent enterprise Will be fairly
under way. We don't want TO build the
bulkheads too fast or too far in advance
of the fill. as il is better TO have them
both advance together.
There are two hydraulic dredgers in
the Northwest. one now at work in
Swinomish slough: its work there Will
be completed in about two or three weeks,
when II will be available for work here.
IL will, however. before commencing here.
have TO be overhauled and put in repair,
and furtherm )re Il will have 10 be sup
piled with a large additional amount of
iron pipe for the conveyance of the
dredged material. When the work starts
the material will have TO be conveyed
through at least 5000 feet OF pipe.
THE other hydraulic dredger is now at
Portland laid up. 1t will have 10 be
boxed up in very thorough manner for
a journey by sea around here from the
Columbia river. This will be about as
much work as building a house. This
dredger will have 10 be thoroughly over
hauled and also supplied with large ad
ditional amount OF pipe
There are other dredgers In San Fran
cisco which can be obtained for the work
If necessary, and probably others will be
built as the work progresses. 1t is a mat
ter OF regret to me that the surveys could
not have been advanced so that the
dredges could be set to work immedia tely.
The people of Seattle have been patient
with the finaneiers and lawyers and courts,
and now they must extend the same pa
thence 10 the engineers and those who will
do the work assured that everything will
he done by them that Is possible TO expe-
dite the commencement and carrying on
of the great undertaking.
when the work on the fats is well I'M
der way, the necessary labors and surveys
incidental to commencing the excavation
of the hill section will be taken UP. There
are many details 10 he worked out before
the actual operations on the hill section
can be undertaken. These details refer
to the emplacement of the locks, methods
of excavation and carriage, etc.
LAS TO the north canal" continued Capt.
Symons the best thing you can say is
that splendid progress is being made. The
survey of the route is getting along very
well indeed and in the next few weeks We
will be ready 10 turn the piats over 10 the
county commissioners for the coGdemna-
ton OF the property traversed by the
right-of-way. Then il Will be necessary
TO secure deeds of release from the owners
OF the property which will be flooded by
raising the waters of Salmon bay to the
level OF Lake Union. We Will have 10 fur
Their make arrangements with the rail-
roads for a change in their locations. as
well as change of the present bridges
to drawbridges. All OF this will take
considerable time. and IN the condemna-
ton proceedings there may arise some
serious litigation which will temporar-
lily postpone progress. 1t can be said. how
ever. that the outlook is very favorable
indeed"