The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1899-09-19
S2,OoO,ooo WORTH COAL IN DANGER.


| flptSDurg, Pa, Sept l9.-River leeches
are endangering s., ,OO0. 900 worth of coal
now lying in the ittsburg harbor. the
stretch Of water that extends from the
city down to Davis Island dam. six
miles below the junction of the Monon-
gahela and Allegheny rivers. Coal men
have been annoyed for many years by
the prevalence in the New Orleans har-
Dor of the teredo. and insect whose bor-
ing propensities are the chief cause of
the prosperity OF the coal barge build
along the upper Mouongaheta.
Barges must often be broken up on ac-
count of the ravages of the teredo,
which has plenty of opportunity TO hon
eycomb the woodwork OF the vessels
during the frequent long stays at New
Orleans while waiting for remuner-
ating coal market. Lately. however. a
new and even worse danger has con-
fronted coal barges at this end OF the
river route. The teredo honeycombs the
barges slowly and inspection OF the
bottoms is so frequent that no coal has
ever been lost through the work OF tho
teredo. The leeches however. bore di-
rectly through the oakum -calked seams
and constant pumping is necessary TO
prevent the barges from sinking.
Scientists have been consulted and
they offer various explanations. Some
assert that the leech has found i'm oak
um nourishing and appet,zing food: {,
others think the low water in the har-
Dor has become contaminated by sew
age and that the leeches bore into this
oakum In their ehorts to escape Still
others contend that the contaminated
water is responsible for the enormous
increase in the number OF leeches and
that the creatures, led by some instinct
find their way between the pianking
To enjoy the still greater corruption OF
the bilge water In the barges. Another.
group OF scientific minds is satisfied
that the little blood suckers find oak
-burrowing a satisfactory avenue OF
escape from some enemy which the the
orsts are now striving To identity
The owners OF the coal are taking
but little interest in these speculations.
They are, howevet losing sleep worry
ing about the damage done 10 their
property, and the expense they have
already been compelled 20 undergo
Every barge and coal boat" the latter
being a fla at-bottomed. square sided,
cheaply- vessel holding twice as
much as the barges. and intended to be
broken up and sold for lumber at New
orleans. Is fitted out With one or two
pumps Usually the work OF one man is
sufficient to-keep tho whole fleet OF
barges and boats ailoat. only an occa-
sional spell at the pumps being re-
quired. but since tho leeches began TO
work there came q change. First the
regular crews of bumpers found that
an occasional spell at the handles was
10 keep the boats on top OF
the water. and that hard work was me-
rcssary. Incessant pumping being back
breaking exercise. and all labor tradi-
ton on the river containing no record
hat bumpers had ever been obliged 10
80 hard work the men protested. Since
heir protest more hands have been put
~ the pumps. relieving each other In
'hifts. like sailors on a sinking chip.
The owners have paid out Thousands OF
dollars and constantly fear that barges
nay sink. as 81 is impossible. 81 course.
O do fresh calkirg while the boats are
ull OK coal and lying IN the river. The
,nly salvation for the $1,000, ooo worth OF
'Oa vs. a rise in the river. which will
'nable tho owners 90 float their product
20 the lower markets Meantime, the
scientists are seeking tho natural enc
my OF the leech. Ii is Intended. N he be
'ound. 10 petition The War Department,
which controls the navigable streams.
10 enter upon artificial culture and dis
ribute him In the river IA tho manner
observed by the Fish Commission.