The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1895-03-29
CAPT. SYMONS' TALKS.
Government Engineer Does Not Doubt
but That the Canal Is "a Go.

but That the Canal Is "a Go.
Capt. w. r. Symons. the engineer rep
resentlng the government and the canal
company In the proposition. was seen yes
terday. and said. concerning the worh:
The work Will begin by excavating by
dredger in the east waterway. commene-
ing at deep water and eXcayating the
channels 10 the southwark. Tnis, OF
course. Will be in connection with the
building of the bullhead along the deep
water frontage 10 retain the aFedged ma
terial. The system of dredging which VIII
probably be adopted is what Is known
on the Sound as the Bowers system.
This consists OF a centrifugal pump, by
means OF which the sand and mud Is
brought up from the bottom OF the enan-
mel. The same pump then forces the ma
terial through a pipe 20 the place OF de-
post In a seni-liquid condition. THIS IS
the same method which has been Used
in Olympia, In Tacoma and Portland.
and which Is now being carried on In Xxx
cavating the channel through Swinomish
slough. north OF La Conner.
The form OF bulkhea5 which will prob
ably be adopted is one composed Of
brush with the butts laid toward the
deep water. This buIkhead Will vary in
width according to the depth of the wa
ter This sort OF bulkhead is its cwn
protection against the teredo, as X Is
found that the teredo does not work with
any degree OF activity In small STUFF OF
this character.
The hin section viii probably he ex-
cavated by the hydraulic process. t. e..
water will be conveyed TO the site Of the
work In pipes under a great pressure. II
viii then be turned against the earth by
means OF hydraulic giants, which are
simply large nozzies SO arranged as 10
be governed and regulated readily. The
material would be washed by these noz-
zles Into fumes which would convey the
semI-liquid mass out upon the tide fats
10 the place where IL Is to be distributed.
Under favorable circumstances n n.y.
draulic dredger like the enc employed az
Olympia can excsvate and deposit about
5000 yards per day. under very favorable
circumstances this can be materially IN
creased. The amount which can be ex-
cavated from the hill By the hydraulic
process depends simply on the amount
q water Supplied. the Size a tae 3Uj1-e
etc. The work can be done very rapidly
II enough money is expended for the rec
essary plant. The rapidity with which
the work IS done Will De largely a mat
ter OF policy.
The location Of bridges across the
waterways through the tide fats ia de-
terrnined by the street plan as adopted
by the local board OF TIDE land appraiE-
cr.. All bridges over these waterways
viii necessarily be drawbridges. furnish
ing ample accommodation for the pass
age OF vessels. The bridges over the hill
section OF the canal will be. where the
railroad crosses IT, just below the brew
cry. aad where the existing wagon roads
and electric road OF the Rainier avenue
line cross. Two or these bridges viii
necessarily be drawbrI3ges. and one Viii
be at a sufficient elevation 10 allow
fixed bridge to be built and shipping TO
pass beneath.
The slopes I'm the cuts VIII be pro
tested from sliding BY clearing or the
land in the vicinity % the slopes and
providing easy drainage facilities 50 that
the water falling on the ground Will Re
readily drained OF aui VIII not sep Tito
the earth 20 any considerable extent II
fig a very important feature ir .his work
that fhe hill strata are all inclined 10 tho
Sound In the direction OF the canal
Many other means VIII be taken FOR the
protection Of these slopes Witch can Only
De determined upon when the excavu tion
81 made and the character OF the material
and It's situation with regard 10 ether
strata IS accurately determined
The distance from Lake Washington
10 the Sound. including the lock viii be
about TWO miles. and a ship could read
ily count on passing through the Jock
and canal In from one 70 two hours, de-
pending on its size. . greater rate os
speed being allowed for small vessels
than for larger ones"