The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1903-02-03
TO DREDCE
THE HARBOR
Contract is Awarded to an
Albany Firm.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELIEF
60
An Appropriation Of Six Thousand Dol.
lars Is Recommended by the James
River Improvement
Committee.

At meeting Of the James River l1n-
provement Committee, held yesterday In
the office Of Mr.. Alfred Mcdowell, IN
the City Hall, bids for the erection OF a
new dredging plant, to be used in deep
ening tho Richmond harbor. were opened.
as q result Of which the contract was
awarded to the Osgood Dredge Company.
Of Albany, N. Y, the price stipulated boz
ing $4,000 Tho contract states that
the plant must be ready within the next
five months
There was considerable debate among
the members as to the kind of dredge
that would prove most useful and best
fitted to the local conditions. It was
finally decided that q suction and clipper
dredge would suit the needs Of the city
best. and the specifications in the con-
tract call for such equipment.
5t THE BID WAS LOW.
The bid Of the Albany firm was much
lower than the committee had anticipated,
the sum Of $3.50 having been appco-
prated by the Council for the purpose
Of having dredge erected. Thus 1t
will be seen that by awarding the con-
tract to Osgood Dredge Company $4,000
will be saved.
The committee after a brief discus
sion, decided that this amount could best
be expended In the purchase of scows to
be used in connection with the dredgc,
and tho City Engineer was instructed
to advertise for estimates on suitable
scows. This will be done Immediately.
and 1t Is expected the entire plant Will
be ready early next fall.
HARBOR CONDITIONS.
At the meeting yesterday several In
terested shippers and representatives OF
the steamboat lines appeared to urge that
some Immediate action looking to lmproy-
Ing the present deplorable condition of
the harbor. 1t was shown to the salts
faction Of the committee that within the
past month the channel and the waters
about the wharyes. inside the port warden
line, have filled UP to such an extent us
to make 1t quite dangerous for even the
smallest craft to attempt to dock ut
Richmond.
q Mr.. Prichard. agent for the Clyde Line,
stated that only last Sunday q vessel OF
the company which he represents. draw
Ing only eight feet of water, struck a
sand bar in attempting to make turn.
Flo regarded the situation as alarming
ana worthy OF immaculate dctlon ny Ine
Council. Hi Il 4
GROWING MORE SERIOUS.
Captain Mayer explained that it was
necessary for Old Dominion vessels to
back down the harbor and infringe upon
the waters Of the Clyde Line in order
to make turn in the present channel.
He argued that daily the condition Is
growing more and more serious, and UNI
less something was done to relieve the
situation it would be only short time
before it would be absolutely impossible
for vessels Of any kind to reach Rich
mond, as q result Of which the merchants
Of the city would be solely dependent
upon the railroads for freight service.
After hearing these statements. Mr..
Gilbert Pollock moved that the Council
be requested to appropriate an amount
sufficient to afford immediate relief. This
was fixed at $4,000, and the Finance
Committee will be asked to appropriate
this amount at once after which
dredge will be hired to do the work.