The Caucasian. (Shreveport, La.) 1900-192?, 1901-01-27

exceed 100000 The estimated ag-
gregate OF ;Lis Improvement is there
fore $3S5. 900. and it is stated that the
proposed conversion of the shoal will
not affect the navigable capacities of
the channel"
The report outlines n scheme for pro-
yiding wharfage for transports. 1t is
proposed to lever the lcd Of tie river
on the north shoal by dredging to the
depth of ~ feet at mean low water
from Il line 10 feet outside of the sea
wall and extending to the 2G foot curve
Of the harbOr, with deep cast and west
approaches. TOaccomplish this it is esti-
mated that 100000 cubic yards of bowl
derS, hardpau and sand would have to
De- cXcavated at cost OF 100000
The construction of 1890 feet Of cover
ed pile wharf 30 feet wide it is eStI-
mated would cost 100000.
In this connection it is noted that
the QuarteTmaster' department pays
an annual rental Of $S3,GOO to the city
of New York for storage and for dock
room for army transport service all
of which would be saved by the adop-
ton Of the proposed plan Of improve
mcnt.
The members of the board also pre-
sent a plan for the enlargement of the
present accommodations, SO that n bat
talon or a regiment may be quartered
on the island.
In speaking Of the general arrange
ment of the buildings on Governors
island the report says that with few
exceptions they are old frame struc-
lures only slightly raised from the
soil, inconvenient. inSanitary and in
fiammable. All Of them are so old and
In such bad repair that renewals will
be required in few years.
The cost of the proposed improve
ments. divided into different items, is
estimated as follows: Two brick store
houses for The quartermaster's depart
ment, $S0.OOO; one bricl. stOrehOuse,
cOmmissary department, $4,000: one
brick StOrehOuse. medical department,
$4,000; one brick stOrehOuse, ordnance
department. $4,000; one pierhouse,
$4,000; one administration building,
$4,000; six double sets of quarters for
officers. 100000: moving and repairing
hospital. $4,000: buildings for quarter
masters department. east side. $50, 900:
constructing. repairing and moving
other minor buildings. $4,000; raising
barracks one story. $4,000: repairs to
engineer docks ut Castle William, $15,-
600; wharf along sea wall. S1OO.OOO;
dredging in front of sea wall. 500. 900;
enlargement of the island. 1886, 600;
total. 1895, 900.
The report of the beard. with the an
prevail and recommendation of the
secretary OF war. is now before coz
gresS and will doubtless be incorporat-
ed in the army appropriation bill,
though whether the expenditure will
be authorized ut this session remains
to be seen. 1t is certainly proposition
worthy of consideration.
Allied to the proposed Improvement
of Governors island is the proposition
to deepen and make nayigable for large
craft the Ruttermilk channel. which
has for some time been earnestly urged
by the leading commercial bodies OF
New York. This would naturally
come under the head of river and har-
Dor Improvements. but the work could
be most economically carried on In
connection with the enlargement OF
Governors island. as the earth and
rock excavatcd in dredging the chan
mel would be utilized in building the
extentiOn of the island.
The importance of this Improvement
would seem TO be apparent The chan
mel between Manhattan Island and
Governors island Is becoming more
and more congested. Men-Of-war go
ing to and from the Brooklyn navy |
yard have run aground in trying to
avoid other craft or have sustained |
collisions. BY making ButtermiIk chan I!
mel real maritime thOroughfare to the !
sea traffic would be divided between !
the two channels and much greater |
facility Of ingress and egress assured.
In this connection it may be interest |
ing to note the extent of the shipping !
of New York harbor, a considerable |
portion of which would be affected by |