Evening journal., 1896-10-07
DELIBERATE THE CHANNEL.
PROFESSOR HAUPT SAYS THE MUD
WILL DO IT.

DECLARES THAT MAJOR RAY
MOND MADE ANERROR OF JUDO
MENT AND is ENDEAVORING TO
DO WITH MUD WHAT HIS JETTY
FAILED TO DO.
Professor Lewis T. Haupt, a director
and the consulting engineer of the
Trades League, of Philadelphia, COM
ments as follows regarding the dump
ing of mud at Pea Patch island:
1t will entirely obliterate the west
ern channel, The reasons that are
given for dumping the mud in this
place are that the scows need eleven
feet of water in which to dump and
cannot dump in less depth, and the
work is being carried on the SUPPOSE
tiOn that the material will stay Just
where it is placed"
What is the object in dumping the
mud here?"
There would probably be two OBJ
iects given, one that the scows 90
down at ebb tide and dump at low tide
and require from nine to eleven feet of
water in which to dump. and so must
necessarily dump in a depth over six
feet and near to or in the channel, and
the other is to stop the flow of the tide
in the western channel and throw it
into the eastern"
rs there any other place where the
mud could be dumped instead of in the
western channel?"
Yes, along the shore or on the Pea
Patch island. as recommended by the
board Of 1879. l have letters in my
possession which will provide dumping
ground for 25,000,000 cubic yards, il
necessary"
Would it not be better policy to put
the mud ashore instead Of digging it
out in one place and dumping it back
into the river?"
Most assuredly. II would create
fast land, which could be reclaimed for
agricultural pursuits or for a CONNER
cial frontage at an enormous increase
in value"
HAS the eastern channel been. i'm
proved or not at Firms Point by build
ing the jetty at that pOint?"
"It is claimed by the engineers in
charge that the depth is maintained
over the Bulkhead shoal by the jetty
which is built north of the shoals, but
there is more ebb current in the west
ern channel, it being deepened several
feet. 1t is now proposd to reverse the
action Of the current by dumping this
mud in the western channel so as to
throw more water into the eastern
channel"
rs not the object in dumping the
mud in the western channel between
Delaware City and Fort Delaware to
stop the flow in the western channel
and turn it into the EASTERN"
There is a dual purpose. The first
is to make the ebb tide discharge into
the eastern instead of into the western
channel, and 1ne second is to provide
a dumping ground for this mud, and
while Major Raymond kills two birds
with one stone he does so at the ex-
pense of the domestic commerce OF the
river"
is it not possible for the government
to improve the channel for the benefit
of Philadelphia without being detri
mental to the tributary rivers anC
small towns on the Delaware river?'
Very possible. The first project wal
to build second dyke, but instead o
a dyke Major Raymond has decided {,
deposit the mud he has dredged from
Schooner Ledge and Cherry Island fat
will stay where he puts it it will be
justifable change, but it will be
!, serious experiment IL it should turn ou
; to be mistake. 1t will be at least
year and half before an appropriation
r could be secured from Congress to di
the dirt up and dump it somewhere els
If the major should find out he ha
made an error. The report of the boar
OF 1879 Major Raymond characterize
as ancient history and the subject
one upon which he is not anxious tina
the people shall be enlightened. TIL
. maintenance of our commerce is essen
> tial to the success of our manufactur
: ing plants and there can be no excus
. for the general indifference to the aC
tual situation. The people may
: forced to realize that even the govern
= ment can make a mistake when 1t en-
|, trusts the Improvement of its naviga
!, BILE rivers entirely to what the Unite
States officer in charge deems most jU
. dicfOfc and practicable -