The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1900-04-29
r SAND.STCKING.
Work Of a Government Dredge in Deepening
the Channel Of the 81. Johns River.
From The Florida Times. linton and CGissn.

From The Florida Times linton and Chissn.
One of the most powerful dredging machines
in this country IL deepening the channel Of the
St. Johns River. and al the rate II has been
working for the past ten days, II would not
take long 10 have deep water from this city
10 the bar. The drrdce is the Government
steam sand-sucker Cape Fear, commanded by
Capt. W 4. Crawford, and hailing from South
port. y. {. The amount Of work that is being
done by this dredge is remarkable, and II is
so much more rapid and complete than the
work accomplished by the old-time steam
shovel that a statement or ilglires would MAKE
"A person not acquainted with what II does
sCeptlCal, but the figures show what II being
done and what can be- done by this powerful
For the pnst Ten days the dredge has been
nj work on the White Shell shoal. "A stretch Of
shallow water covering an immense sand har
nearly opposite 81, Johns Bluff, and near tho
sisters. During the time that work has been
going on, n stretch OF sand 200 feet In length,
100 feet wide and 3 feet deep has been removed,
making in al . 222 cubic feet of sand that has
been sucked ny from the bottom of the river
10 make n channel.
In order 10 take up this quantity Of sand,
powerful engines have been employed con-
iinually during each day. The sand Is sucked
mp by power generated by two compound en-
glnes of 100 horse power each. coming through
two pipes, each ten inches in diameter, which
carry II 10 q compartment In the forward part
Of the dredg. capabl" Of holding $50 cubic
yards, or about 400 tons OF sand. This COM
partment Is always filed. either with water or
sand. As the sand is throw into II. the water
rises and goes out through two overflow pipes
on either side Of the vessel into the river, When
all the water IL out the bins are fun OF sand.
which are then dumped. The dredge IL run
10 shore, or wherever the dumping ground
may be, and the sand is allowed to go through
the bottom by means OF two large gates that
are opened by looscninR four large screws,
one man having charge Of each screw. When
these gates are opened the sand goes ont OF
tI. haitian, md tho pnfpnnrtUpAnf IL lnluIpil-
a,ely retlled with water. This dumping proc
ess is repeated az often IA the compartments
are n lied with sand. II Is necessary to have the
bin filed with either water or sand, in order
10 keep the stern from sinking, as all the heavy
machinery Is placed AFT.
The force with which the sand is sucked up
IL terrific. II guslps ny continually, reminding
one OF an enormous boiling spring. throw
ing ont sand p..d water. Tho machinery used in
the sucking process. as well as the engines that
drive the dredge, are very powerful. but are
packed in "A small space. TO give all the room
possible TO the placing Of sand The capacity
this can be kept up day and night If
necessary. The tug engines are Of 1850 horse
power, being of the compound type. one located
forward aud the other aft.
IL Is interesting To witness the work Of the
dredgr. To see the large boat push forward,
making her own channel, fll mp with sand back
out and go to the dumping ground. on account
Of the deep draft Of tie boat, II is impossible
for II TO be- pushed ahead over the bar on. which
work Is being done, bur backs out Of The channel
II has made. and then. after freeing ITSELF Of the
and bushes Il further. When III" work was
first commenced on the Whit" Shell shoal. 1t
was impossible To work on low tide on account
of the shallow water. but the work that has been
completed has been done IN such a satisfactory
manner that Il channel sufficient TO allow the
working in low water has been dredged, ard
Their. is no delay experienced now. The FORK
j. being n spected by Capt. jane !. Wilson
who has charge of the measurements, and super
intends the dumping
The Cape Fear was built in 1895 by the Hill
man Company of Philadelphia, and was con
-truCted for the express purpose Of deepening
tho Cape Fear bar and the Cape Fear River
from southport to Wilmington, When this
work was completed several months were spent
deepening cumberland Sound bar, and from
there this powerful machinery was sent 10
Jacksonville to deepen the 81, Johns bar and
river. The dredge cost N7, so, and has paid
for herself several times.