The Indianapolis journal. [volume] (Indianapolis [Ind.]) 1867-1904, 1896-09-19
NAVIGATION 1MpEDED BY PLANTS.
FIorida's Great Waterway Almost
Blocked Up by Floating Hyacinths.
Florida Times Union.

A trip the ST. Johns river in midsum-
mer is quite different from trip made
during the height of the tourist season,
but it is a trip well worth taking. From
Jacksonville. which was left at p. M, the
St Johns, stopping at Picolata and reach
ing Palatka at midnight The river is so
wide, for this part of the trip that nothing
could be seen of any interest. Occa sional-
ly small floating islands were seen in
the river. which the captain said were
formed of water hyacnths. The reporter
had heard of the river being blocked by this
plant. but seeing only the small patches
floating by. could form no idea of the man
ner in which such plants could block navi-
cation or keep a boat from making land
ing.
railroad dock just below the bridge. and
then at the city dock at the foot of Lemon
the draw and approaching the city dock an
idea can be obtained of the obstruction
caused by the hyacnths. Banked against
the piers of the bridge and the piling of the
.wharves along the city front are acres and
acres of the innocent-loolling plant. and it
was with difficulty that the steamer forced
her way to the dock and made landing.
Leaving Palath1, the channel was nearly
clear of the hyacinths until San Mateo was
reached, but from there nearly up TO the
railroad bridge al Buffalo Bluff from bank
to bank. the surface of the water
Hardly a square foot of water could be
seen. Captain Shaw and the pilot kept a
speed of the steamer was reduced at least
one-half in pushing its way through this
mass of vegetation. and when open water
was at last reached. all on board were re-
lieved. for floating log struck in mid
stream might knock in the hull and cause
the steamer to rapidly fill and sink. Sew
eral times a slight jar was felt as the boat
raked against a log or snag, but no dam
age done.
THE first wind from the south will move
this entire field of hyacinths down to
Pa AZ X and back them against the bridge
bridge they will begin to roll under and
under each other until they form five or
six feet deep; then no vessel can push them
and navigation has to stop"
What can be done to get rid of the hya-
cinths?' asked the reporter.
There is only one thing to be done and
that is remove them. or the river will soon
have to be abandoned; The problem is
men for a couple of years. but it has net
yet been solved. Several years ago there
was some talk of the water lettuce block
of water lettuce can be found What has
become of it? Why, it has , been killed
ment must act. and that promptly
Continuing up the river. both banks were
every steamer running into the river was
completely blocked with the growth AT
seyera, landings ms men n. were seen ioafing
hyacinth. When asked how they were af-
fected by the plant. they explained by say
ing that they were loggers and Saftsmen,
who formerly made their living by- cutting
and rafting logs down the creeks and rivers
to the St Johns. Now their occupation is
gone. for nothing can be RATED. rowed
pulled on these streams. The hyacinths
have taken possession. and penetrated far
into the heart of the swamps.
Lake George. the largest body of water
between Jacksonville and Lake Monroe. is
rapidly being covered with the same
growth. which floats from one side of the
lake to the other At Volusia bar. where
the river runs into the lake. there is great
danger of the total obstruction of the river.
At this point the river is very shallow, Tor
IL has been some time since the bar re-
ceived any attention from the government.
From Volusia bar to Lake Baresford the
same conditions exist as below Lake
George. In Lake Beresford nearly the en-
tire surface of the water Is covered with
nyacinths. and on up TO Lake Monroe.