Wheeling register. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1878-1935, 1897-02-18
WIDER SPANS WANTED.
A Bill Of Importance TO Coal and
RiVer Interests Before Congress.

River Interests Before Congress.
If Passed will Make Some Import
ant Changes in the Bridge Struc-
lures Along the Ohio Channel
Spans will Have to Give Clear
Water Way Of a Thousand Feet.
Boat Crews Can NNt Drink While
Oh Duty Wheeling Passengers
to the Mardi Gras- Ather Notes.
Among the bills which va introduced
I'm Congress this session is Sne Of great
Importance to the river and coal inter-
ests of this section. IL aims principally
10 increase the width OF The channel
spans of bridges on the Monongahela.
Ohio Great Kanawha and other rivers.
In these days of immense iee,s Of coal
barges wide channel spans are neces-
sity I'm order to accommodate the Zig
fleets and prevent loss. They are. in ef
feet. big RATS. the current being princi-
pally depended upon TO furnish the
power for forcing them down stream.
The steamboat attached acts more as
rudder than as a propeller The larger
the number OF barges that one Steamboat
can convey the greater the saving % the
coal shippers.
The bill was introduced recently by
Congressman John Daizell. and was re-
ferred to the Committee on Internal AMI
Foreign Commerce Whether Il will ever
2 TH
videc. among other things. .hat every
bridge hereafter erected across the Ohio
river shall among other requirements.
have at least one channel span placed
over the portion of the river usually run
by descending coal boats, the said chan
mel span TO give a clear waterway be-
tween the piers of 1000 feet. measured
on the low water line and TO be at least
forty feet above the local highest water,
measured to the lowest part of the span.
and shall be at least ninety feet above
low water in bridges built above the
mouth of the Big Sandy river, and at
least 1O4 feet above low water in bridges
below the mouth of the Big Sandy,
measured to the lowest part of the span.
The United States inspectors at Cincin-
rine law that is stringent upon crews
and makes it punishable offense to
drink while upon duty. The inspectors
can do nothing else but revoke the Ii
cense or suspend the person who is re-
ported to them for any violation of this
law 1t means that steam vessels cannot
he navigated by any but temperate crews.
1t also means that the bar Of steamboats,
is doomed and will soon be another river
feature of bygone days.
YESTERDAYS BOATS.-Charleston
Kanawha 6:9O "a. m; Pittsburg. Ben Hur.
S a. m. Lorena, midnight Sistersvilie,
Ruth $3.50 D. m. Manhattan, 3 p. m;
Darlington, Leroy. 1880 p. al.
TO-DAYS BOATS.-Cincinnau Hud-
son, a. m: Pttsburg II. X. Bedford,
G:2O a. m: Parkersburg. Argand. II a.
m: Sistersvile Ruth $3.50 p. m. Man
haitian, p. m. New Matamoras LeXing-
ton. Il a. m; Darlington. Leroy, $3.50 p. m.
TO-MORROWiS BOATS.-Pittsburg,
Virginia. "A. m; Parkersburg. Ben Hur.
II a. m: Sistersville. Ruth. $3.50 p. m,
Manhattan, . p. m; Darlington, Leroy,
$3.50 p. m.
The river marks at the wharf last night
were 10 feet inches and falling.
The II. f. Frisbie passed up yesterday
with a tow of model barges. The Clay
ton. W G. Homer and Acorn passed down
with coal.
Among those who took passage on the
keystone State Tuesday to attend the
Mardi Gras at New Orleans were +. c.
Myers. Adam Shafer and Robert Kline,
of this city. The keystone State had be-
sides twenty-one passengers to New Or
leans from Pittsburg and other points
up the river. They will leave Cincinnati
on the John X. Speed this evening at
o'clock The state Of weather indicates
that they viii have fine trip. The
Wheeling passengers will be gone about
a month. The cost of the trip, including
state room and board while in port at
New Orleans. is $50
Plans have been presented to Director
Brown for the new fire boat for Pittsburg,
which was drawn by Capt. Ike Williams,
formerly commander Of the JOS. b. VIII
liams II is thought that the plans pre-
pared by Capt Williams will be adopted.
The plans provide for a stern-wheel iron
steamer 80 feet long and 90 feet wide. to
of running Is miles an hour. The cost of
its construction is estimated at $4,000. For
that purpose $3.50 raised on the last
bond issue. is already available. IT is to
II provided with two engines with a 20
inch cylinder and 27-foot stroke There
will be four boilers. Is feet long and 20
inches in diameter. The hull from the
stern to forward OF the boiler will be con-
structed with half-inch plate. The rest Of
the boat will be Of lighter material on
the boiler deck there will be the captain $
room. eight state rooms bath room. etc.
for the accommoca lion Of the crew. She
will be a light draught steamer.
1t is said that Capt. Chancellor. the pres
ent supervising inspector of steam vessels
Of the Pittsburg and Cincinnati district.
has admitted that he viii have to go when
the incoming administration takes hold.
If Ohio is to get position. Capt Ben f.
Merilees. of Cincinnati stands a good
chance. II IT is to fan to West Virginia.
Capt Woodward is looked upon as the
winner. and if Pennsylvania gets it, Capt.
j. b. Williams will probably knock the per-
simmons Take your choice.-Pitts)urs
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