Evening times-Republican. [volume] (Marshalltown, Iowa) 1890-1923, 1904-07-01
The "Elwick" Is the First Ma
chine Cut Ditch In Hamil-
ton County
AVERAGES $50 FEET PER DAY
Entire Machine, Which Cost $1,000, Is
Erected on a Flat Boat Which Runs
in Mud and Water, Following the
Work Up Stream as Ditch Is Dug
State News in General.
Special to Times Republican

Special to Times Republican
Radcliffe, June 30-A ditch is now
being constructed in Hamilton county
which is being closely watched by all
in this part of the state who are inter-
ested in the open ditch drainage PROB
lem. This water way now under con
struction is known as the .Eiwick"
ditch and was ordered by the board of
supervisors of this county on petition
by residents Of that part of the coun-
ty.
The ditch is located in Lincoln
township on the extreme eastern line
Of the county. The outlet Is about
three miles north of Radcliffe. Con-
tractor John G. Sullivan Of Webster
City has the contract for this ditch and
is now at work with large force of
men. The fact that this Is the first
machine cut ditch to be made in this
county adds interest. The first work
was started about ten days ago. The
dirt is being moved by a Marion King"
ditcher, which Is the property of Mr..
Sullivan.
This machine which cost $4,000, is
a giant in it's line and is revolutioniz-
ing the construction of bitches in this
county The machine resembles a
steam shovel. 1t Is propelled by a
3O-horse power engine. The machine
has much longer arm than the ordi-
nary steam shovel used on railroad
work In order to throw the dirt farther
from the ditch. The entire machine
is erected on fiat boat which runs in
the mud and water and follows the
work up stream as the ditch Is dug.
1t differs from an ordinary steam
shovel in that 1t does not run on rails
but pulls itself forward by means of
steel cable and windlass. When it is
desired to move the machine the cable
is attached to stake which is set
deep in the ground some distance
ahead and the machinery turns the
windlass which draws the boat and
heavy machine ahead.
The work was started at the outlet
in about five feet Of water. This
water was at times so deep that the
machinery was partly submerged and
It was necessary to dig side bitches TO
furnish outlets for the water. Much
trouble was encountered and the work
was greatly delayed but everything is
now moving along smoothly. me
machine is now followed by about
eighteen inches of water which is not
too much and is enough to enable the
big fiat boat to draw herself ahead cas-
ily when necessary.
The ditch. which is being dug by
Contractor Sullivan. is five feet wide
at the bottom, sixteen to twenty feet
wide at the top and is from FIVE to
eight feet deep. At present the ma
chine is cutting about $50 feet per day.
The pay roll is s25 per day. Many
people interested in drainage have Wis
tied this ditch in order to see the big
machine at work. Mr.. Sullivan has
been delayed in his work by many
things, but everything is now going
well and he is consequently feeling
much better.
1t is likely that this ditch is but the
first of many to be cut in this county
by machinery. Supervisors OF several
counties have taken the
trouble TO watch the machine at worip
on the "Elwick" ditch and they are
learning some lessons in the construc-
ton of these big water ways.