Rock Island Argus. (Rock Island, Ill.) 1893-1920, 1912-03-13

on repairs to four dredges, one drin |
boat. two towboats. four motor boats,
six quarter boats, four office boats and /
IA barges. The dredge Geyser is be-
ing rebuilt with steel frame and deck /
plates. At the Keokuk boatyard ex-
tensive work has been carried on In |
the construction OF three large sue !
ton dredges, as well as several barges, |
fuel fats, Office boats, grasshoppers
and building boats In addition re-
pairs have been made to the towboats
Coal Bluff, Elinor. Ellen, Henry Bose
and Lucia, to the dredges Hecla and
Etna, one building boat, two quarter
boats, one pile driver, one Office boat,
eight motor boats and six barges.
Some repairs to the plant were also
made at Dubuque and Moline.
WORK OF THE WINTER.
AS in the winter of 1910 considerable
work was performed in the repair and
construction of dams and shore protec-
tons, selections being made OF work
that could not for various reasons be
economically carried out during the
season of navigation. In the vicinity
of Alma and Fountain City nine dams
were raised to grade and repaired and
two pieces Of shore protection. One
small dam was built. In this work
there were put in place 3,90S cubic
yards of rock. The cost of this work,
as well as that in other divisions here
after described, although not quite as
small as that of summer work, COM
pares favorably with it when difficult
ties Of construction are taken into &C
count
NEW DAMS BUILT.
In the vicinity Of Cottage island and
of several other localities in the d.
vision for Winona to the Wisconsin
river, six wing dams, one closing dam
and three pieces of shore protection
were thoroughly repaired, in which
work were used 1888 cubic yards of
rock and 1850 cubic yards of brush.
In the vicinity of Waupeton and Gut
tenberg two wing dams we're built,
two completed which were commenced
in 1903 and four repaired. There
were used in this work 1914 cubic
yards of rock and 1858 cubic yards
of brush. In the vicinity of Buffalo
two closing dams. and one wing dam
were built, and one closing dam re-
paired, in which 1912 cubic yards of
rock and $3.50 cubic yards of rock
were used. All of the above men,
toned winter work was more or less
experimental, but has proved quite sue
cessful
ICE SURVEY MADE.
Under a contract with Rust, Swift
& Co. work was carried on in January
and February. 1912, on shore protec-
ton in the vicinity of Churchs Land
ing Slow progress was made, the re-
suit for the two months being $3.50
cubic yards of rock and 4,046 cubic
yards of brush put in place. Some
small ice surveys were made during
the winter at Dresbach. Muscatine and
Keithsburg bridge, soundings being
made through the ice. Considerable
shore work was also done in February
on a resurvey Of Rock Island rapids
, The various locks in the district on
the Galena river. at Moline, at Des
Moines rapids and in the Illinois and
. Mississippi canal were out of opera
ton, but were cared for and necessary
repairs were made.
CANAL BANKS STRENGTHENED.
On the Illinois and Mississippi canal
considerable winter work was done in
strengthening banks, in refooring
bridges and in establishing ice chutes
at several of the aqueducts. These
chutes prevent ice gorges and assist
in keeping the creek beds free of de-
posits.
> Considerable progress has been made
in the construction of the water power
dam at Keokuk by the Mississippi
|. River Power company, and the lock
: and dry dock of the government have
been connected.
BY the time the river opens every
thing will be in readiness as regards
floating plant. supplies, etc. for a long
season. The river and harbor bill al
ready reported to the house carries an
4 appropriation of $1.25O,O0O for the
river between st. Paul and the Mis-
souri,. which 1t is tentatively proposed
4 to divide as follows:
: HOW MONEY Is DIVIDED.
, For the division st. Paul to Winona
. dams, shore projections, repairs and
dredging. $205. 900; for winona to the
: Wisconsin river, similar work, $40,
900; for Wisconsin river TO LIE Claire
7 similar work. 100000; for the Roch
: Island rapids, rock excavation. SIS,
{ 900; for Rock Island to Burlington
dams, shore projections, repairs, dredg
I ing and rock excavation, s135, 900;
Burlington to Hannibal, as above
/ $4,000; Hannibal to Missouri river
as above, 100000; dredging In har
borG and at landing places, $50, 900
surveys and gauges, $4,000; and plant
= 100000.