The Cairo bulletin., 1909-08-26
OPPOSE A BRIDGE
RIVERMEN DECLARE SrRUC,
ruRE AT METROPOLIS WILL
DISTRICT NAVIGATION.
Engineers Favor Location Between
Erookport and Pauucah--
Work on Burlington
Progressing.


/ at Metropolis has been disclosed Win
I ia the last few DAYS by tie making
hubble of Il petition which has been
circulated among and signed BY the
masters ana pilots Of practically AL
LOT the river craft plying betweea Pa
ducah and Cairo. or which have oc-
Ieasionai trips to make pas Metrop-
tolis. The petition IS addressed 10
1.-The secretary of war, In whose de-
ipartment bridges across uayigable
streams are handled, and calls attelH
| ton 10 the immense danger there
would be 10 craft PLYING the Ohio
between Padueah and Cairo because
Of the steady cross stream current
al the poltt which has been spoken
OF for the bridge
As explained by an old river pilot
the Ohio river main channel IS
straight and in the middle OF the
river from Paducah to a point a few
| hundred yards below Brcokport. but
at that place il is turned slightly to
the lett until opposite Belgrade. At
he latter place il makes a decided
berd 10 the right. following the
curve in the river line and the
strongest current is forced straight
lin upor the Illinois bank by an ISL
Hand or spit on the Kentucky side. In
running around the island a half
moon 10 the left is described by the
lcharpal current and the water IL
IN tnrn thrown straight into the Ken
tucky bank about half way between
1.-The emil Of the island and Metropolis
Until inst AT the mouth OF Massac
creek the stror gest current is only a
few hundred feet from the Kentucky
shore. From the mouth of Massae
creek the current is detected AT an
anrIa ri about 70 degrees from the
Kentucky side across the river 10 the
Iulipois shore opposlta Netropolis
turning again after the last sweap
across toward the Kentucky side OF
the river ard finally STRENGTHENING
ont TO midstream about two miles be.
| low NetropIis
With the crrrent playing half
moons first from one side of the
river and then another for the whole
distance Of five miles above AMI TWO
miles below tbe site which has hacn
snoken Of for the bridge river mar
stare thar n would have tho effect cf
almost closing traffic from Cairo ro
paducah for the larger steamers ana
for nose of the barges. The piers
of the bridge would be menace ex.
cent in extreme low water when very
little current il in the river and
pilots are pointing ont that il would
he almost a miraci. every time such
boat as the Spragua safely marouv-
cred between the bridge piers.
Opposite METROPOLIS tow boat
with a heavy drag of barges has to
cut directly from the Kentucky side
10 the Illinois side and would have 10
mass under the bridge while point.
ell al an angie across the river.
Pilots say that that is a feat almost
Iimpossible 10 do with any degree ef
! safety. and they have called the Al
Itentioo Of the war departnapt IN the
property which would be bazarded
every time boat with tow of
barges in front made the trim.
River men. as well as one of tho
| hest pcsted engineers in tha frnitsd
States. no other than former Chief
Engineer Mansfield. of the pennsvl.
lvanla system. have poiuted ONT thar
the only safe and logical mace for n
bridge between naducah and Cairo
is between Paducah and Brookuort
irst below the Illinois Central Ia
iclire. and running across the lower
end OF what Is Known as the tow
head" small island opposita tho
lower end Of the city.
! Mr.. Mansfield. in his examination
Of all the available sites chose This
one. On the Iuirois side tho ridca
beginning nj the high lands a. onIv
oue-foufth of mile frnm rho vator,s
edge. Abe elevation conlJ ha cot.
ten without trastIa work anil won11
u