New Iberia enterprise and independent observer. (New Iberia, La.) 1902-1944, 1907-02-23
PROSPECTUS OF THE ATCHAFA-
LAVA BAY SHIP CHANNEL. co.
Continued from Pane [.

/ f'f'''''N'' J'V"t = IVY =
could be projected from the mouth Of ths
present River Channel to the Chanpe
| through the Reef without meeting an,
serious obstacles.
This line being obtained, three per.
manent platforms were erected with 25ft
inch X 6 inch piling and between these
platforms at intervals of half mile. there
were located tripods of 4 inch 4 in eli
piling shained together at the top, Along
this entire line and between each tripod
soundings were taken every 100 feet. At
each tripod there was cross sectional
sounding taken every % feet for dis
lance OF 800 feet to the Westward. There
were also taken at each tripod, borings to
a depth of % to 80 feet
This taking of sounding and borings
and erection of tripods was continued
five and one half miles into the Gulf on
the outside of the Reef, until a depth Id
feet in the Gulf was reached.
Besides these sonndings, detailed
soundings were taken at the mouth of
the River Channel and also soundiDgs for
cross sections at intervals of 900 feet
across the entire Reef. These soundings,
cross sections, etc, are shown on the
protiles accompanying this report.
The information and conclusion obtain
ed may be condensed as follows:
The coloring matter which gives the
Atchafalaya River the appearance of a
silt bearing stream is entirely in solution
and not material in suspension. There is
no deposit or silt carried by the Ateha-
falaya River in any portion of its course
from the Lakes TO the Gulf. This is due
to The fact that the silt and sand has been
deposited in the large lakes and swamps
forming the upper Atchafalaya leaving
the water free from sediment but un
in color.
The entire soil underlying the waters
OF the Bay is a blue clay containing
large quantity of organois matter.
There was no deposits of silt or river
sand discovered along the line of the
entire Survey. Wherever extremely hard
bottom was found the firmness was found
70 be due to deposits OF shell disintagrated
and mixed with clay.
Under the deposits of she'll, the blue
'lay appeared to be of the same nature
and almost as soft as the clay lying at the
same Cepth where there were no shells.
The density of the clay varied from the
,oze of the upper layers to soft clay at a
iepth of about % feet. Below this deposit
IT clay was encountered peat bog Civ
ng off very strong odors of sulphuretted
hydrogen and marsh grass This peaty
Material was of considerable density and
md much harder to bore through than
he clay above. The cause for the stop |
age af the river channel which has ex-
ended some three miles into the Bay |
'eyond the shore line of the river become |
when layer of shell was dis |
overed lying on the top of the clay and |
projecting across the entire front of the |
liver.
This deposit of shell Ia only from 9 to 3
set thick and where measured is about
ne aud oue-half miles in width (see pro-
le.) This shell is more or less disinta-
rated and mixed with clay but still is
sufficient consistency to have retarded
re action OF the river. 1t seems that the
'onring action of the river has been
radnally eating into this shell and
rs succeeded in projecting channels
trough the softer portions for short
stance as evidenced by the three pro-
citing prongs of chanel. (See Chart
The next obstacle encountered wss
e Reef. Here the Survey showed Just
Ich another layer OF shell on top os ,
ay as is found at the mouth of the |
yer, except, that the shell on the Reef
at the water level, and is in process of |
Hiding, therefore, it is not Ia az disint- ,
rated state and is much harder. The
ell is about feet in thickness on an ,
erage, but varies to some extent. II
The impression obtained hereto fore.
At the Point al Fer Reef was composed !
hard clay with a Gaping of shells, has !