Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1898-06-29
RIVER DREDGING.
channel to be Deepened and Straight
ened near Indian Point.

W pe Deepeneu ana straight
ened near Indian Point.
| The Ellsworth board of trade has scored
another point, giving proof of its useful
ness. The people of Ellsworth, and par
t1cularly the vessel owners and captains,
Will be gratified to learn that the river
channel near Indian point, which has
long been the worst point in the river, is
to be deepened and straig htened at once.
They have the board of trade to thank
| for this.
When the dredger began work near
Lord's wharf several weeks ago, it began
on the original plans to dredge a channel
100 feet wide, and with six feet of water
at low tide. The dredge was built espec-
tally to move Stockings, so that when, a
snort distance below the narrows, it
struck hard-pan, it was compelled to
stop.
linen orders were received to move
above the narrows, and there continue
dredging until SO much of the years
appropriation should be used as to leave a
balance sufficient to dredge through the
narrows, for which work another style Of
uTeuge would be necessary.
AS everyone acquainted with the river
knows the crooked and shallow channel
near Indian point is the worst place in
the rlver-it is, in fact, almost dangerous
for loaded vessels to pass. The expendi-
ture OF this years appropriation would
still leave this part Of the river unim-
proved, 80 that Ellsworth would receive
no immediate benefit from the work done
this year.
Naturally this caused some dissatisfac-
ton, and the board OF trade, in view of
the obstacle encountered by the dredger
at the narrows, used it's influence to have
the balance OF this years appropriation
expended in improving the river at In
dian point, instead OF waiting for another
dredge to work through he harrows.
petition asking for this change was
forwarded to Major r. l.. Hoxie, the U. S,
engineer in charge Of the work here, and
this was seconded by the board sending
an interview with Major Hoxie at Bar
Harbor Monday night.
As result of this action of the board
Major Hoxie gave Mr.. Sowle assurances
that the wishes Of the board would be
acted upon, and he gave immediate orders
by wire to that effect.
The river will be dredged from the
point where the dredge is now working.
above the narrows, to the wharves. The
appropriation will not allow this distance
to be dredged to the full depth required
by the original plans, but it will allow of
deepening it somewhat, and of straight
enlng the channel near he point.
The channel at this point will not be
made perfectly straight, as when it was
dredged before, as this takes it across he
natural current OF the river, and allows
it to fill up at once. The natural direc-
ton of the channel will be followed. but
the turns will be made wider and easier.
These changes in the dredging opera
lions do not affect the general plans for
the Improvement Of the river, as prepared
by Major Hoxie, and which have been
described in THE AMERICAN. The plans
for the completed work are in every way
| satisfactory. In making this temporary
change in operations, Major Hoxie has
conferred a favor upon the people Of Els
worth