Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1897-09-15
POTOMAC RIVER WORK
Major Aliens Report of Operations
During August.
Sea WALL RELAID And RAISED
The Dredging Contractor is Behind
Schedule Time.
MEMORIAL BRIDGE SURVEY

Col. Allen, the engineer officer in charge
of Potomac river improvements, reports to
the chief of engineers that good progress
was made last month in the work of re-
laying and raising the sea wall on the
Washington channel front of section Ill of
the reclaimed area. The sea wall the
margin of the reclaimed area has been
practically completed. except near the site
of the inlet gates and along the bathing
beach in the tidal reservoir. The total
length of wall built to date is :,5,2Sy linear
feet, of which $500 linear feet the
Washington channel front has been relaid.
Mr.. A. NJ. Clegg of this city. who has the
contract for dredging in the Potomac op-
Iosite this city. is reported by Col. Allen
to be behind in his work. The time for
commencement provided in the contract
was July l, but the contractor failed TO
commence at that time, CT 90 any work
during July, the reason given by him being
that his dredge was engaged on river and
harbor work in New York. The contractor
was duly notified of his failure TO COM
mence work. and after considerable cores
pondence he finally said that he would
have mis- dredge on the work on or before
August II. While the delay in commenc
ing the work. says Col. Allen, land in af
fording relief to navigation was greatly
regretted, it was deemed best, under al
the circumstances. to allow him until about
August ID to commence his work. The con-
the work. and has made preliminary ar
ranSements for commencing the clearing of
- The ground where the material is to be de-
POSTED and for forming the embankments
for retaining the dredged material Up to
August Il the dredge had not arrived at
the work. Dredging will be commenced
this month if the dredge arrives and is in
readiness for work.
Memorial bridge.
In regard to the survey of the proposed
memorial bridge across the Potomac Col.
Allen says: Two lines OF survey have
been run between the naval observatory
grounds and the Arlington estate. the mi
tial and terminal points designated by the
act of appropriation. These lines have
been measured, stations set. their inter
sections with the boundary line and wall
line of the Potomac fats determined, the
distance across the river OF each deter
mined by triangulation and the lines con-
tinued across the marsh forming the lower
end of AnaloStan Island, across Little
river ana over the Arlington estate up to
the wall of the cemetery. On each line,
levels have been taken the shore and
soundings made in the river. Cross sec
tions have also been taken at each
station to right and left of the center line
the shore. while in the river
additional lines of soundings have been
taken above and below each line to show
the direction and contour of the stream.
The topography of the naval observatory
grounds has been determined and the Vari-
buildings located. The north boundary
lire of the Arlington estate between the
Alexandria turnpike ard the river, has
been and connected with the lines of
survey. The instrumental field work of the
survey is now nearly completed
AqaedUct Fridge.
Col. Allen reports in regard to the re-
construction of pier No of tre Aque-
duct bridge across the Potomac, that tie
pumping plant has been put in place by
the contractors-the Houston Construction
Company-and that operations on the cof-
fer dam and derricks fer handling stone
are in progress. The sheet piling of the
Golfer dam has been repaired and pudding
put in place The repairs to the false work
have Seen CONNER ced. The stairway and
two fences along the sidewalk between
PIERS 3 and have been built and the guar
ryinS and dressing CT stone are in progress
During pumping August 81 the water
forced its way under the sheet piling on
the north side and the dam filed. Several
days were required to repair the leak.
Arrangements have been made by Col
Allen for the removal of the wreck of the
s,hconer Kate Lawson in Urbana creek
Virginia, which has been reported to be
an obstruction TO navigation.