THE WEST SHORE.
251
RIVER IMPROVEMENT.
ACCORDING to the memorial to congress of the
waterway convention of 1885, tho Columbia river
ami its tributaries extend for a distance of over
one thousand miles within the United States,
and ooubIIIuU the natural outlet for twenty-five thousand
square miles of agricultural land. This great river runs
east and west, parallel with the lines of commerce and
emigration, and flows into the ocean nt a point whero
winds, currents and latitude combine to make a center
of shipping. But this important waterway can not bo
economically navigated at present, and tho question be
fore us is to make it economically navigable. This
question should be constantly agitated in every prudent
way, until something comes of it
As all the inhabitants of tho watershed of the Colum
bia are deeply interested in the projier solution of this
problem, I venture, as one of them, to Bubmit some
views for discussion, promising that they are not origi
nal or novel, except as applicable to this situation. Ah
a physician can not proporly diagnose a case without
the aid of his patient, who alono feels the pains of ill
ness, so an onginoor can not determine what lino of ac
tion in bold to reduce the forces of nature, until he
knows the extent to which they aro refractory. As ior
sons who are subjoct to contingencies must needs lie
close observers, they can not only accurately dcsorilie
the inconvenience but can often suggest a remedy that
is worthy of consideration. If every ponton, therefore,
who has civon the subject of river improvements much
thought would publish his views, tho result miiHt !e the
collection of much valuable information for those upon
whom the duty of adopting definite plans will devolve.
I will be briof as possible, and ooiiflno myself to out-
linos, as details would be imortinont liefore the scheme
has obtained a hold upon public favor.
The difliculties in tho way of economically navigat
ing the Columbia rivor appear to lie, (1), abar, near the
month of tho rivor. at a point out to sea wnero mo con
ditions ore favorable for precipitating the silt liorno
.Inwnbvthe current of tho stream; (2), sand islands,
and shoals inside the hoods and Uilow Astoria, witli
o tortuous and 'shifting channel; (3), a series of rapids
nA Wrier of rock ot the Coscados, ono hundred and
sixty miles above ita mouth; (4), formidable olmtoelos
ht the Dalles, two hundred ami twenty miles alx.ve the
wth. miiHistintrof rapids, falls and very swift cummin,
rri,,n alono a distonce of alxmt thirteen miles where
the channel is contracted totwoon porjnwUculor walls
wH- f 15V minor rapids at intervals between
at the head of the Dalles, and the point whore the
.,tra Tint lull America.
These obstructions will le discussed tervtlu m in con-
..; with a suctfoation for a remedy in oncn case.
The olmtructions between Astoria and Ihe oiling are
--: in M.nnu-tor. and difficult t dool with on ao-
BTJiitun ' . , . 4.
,unt of tho magnitude of the oonieii.img wwm-i .
breadth of tho fiold upon which the oontest occurs, ren
dering it diflcult to mako an alliance with either against
tho other. The problom is complex, and human wit and
effort seem inadequate to dool with it I propose, there
fore, to avoid a direct conflict with such litanio forces,
and to flank them bv a canal. The canal scheme, as to
this situation, Iming novel, may lie defended lioth by
statement as to its merits and by objections to accep
ted plans. Affirmatively, then, tho canal is intended to
connect Young's bay with tho open ocean, and will flank
all tho obstructions lietwoon Astoria and Ihe oiling, ren
dering further attention to them unnecessary. Tho en-
gineering difficulties aro tho excavation of waterway
through tho alluvial soil of tho delta, and tho construc
tion of on artilleiol heritor at the sea end.
I furnish herewith, partial details of n Hooting break
water, but the cannl scheme does not depend njHin that,
as a brook-wotor could lie constructed in the ordinary
way. Experiments with the bieok-woter could U con
ducted first, and tho canol undertaken when tho lioilxir
was a Biiccess. The canal and horlxir once established
the Columbia river Imhhiiiioh accessible ot all stogrs of
tide and in all stress of weather for vessels of tho deep,
est draft I believe tho oost of construction will lie less
than tho ultimata cost of the oxprlmont proposed for
the iNitterinent of the channels inside the heads, and lie-
low Astoria. In tho first work tho lxmollt is compile
and jiermaiient, and in tho second it is partial and torn-
jxirary. I soy portiol because it dtss not proviso to
modify tho outer bar, and I soy temporary lieoauso I
claim that it is impossible to erect upon the insecure
foundotions of tho mouth of the Columbia, a structure
that can long withstand the impact of storm waves from
tho ocooii, and the enxling effects of tho currents of tho
river.
I Isilievo a sofe luirlxir con lie mode at tho sen end of
tho canal, by the use of ponUxms anch
ored in lines olxmt tho spoon where
smooth water is desired,
oi i ah or suov
. n
walls -"7.. , . . w 7VV".'v a - . " '
erm,r r'r1'
s
con
This omrrovinir, taken from the plans of tho inventor,
shows the idea very clearly. The mtxm are shaped
.ii.tliin likn a looomotivo SHOW plow. Ileing ancll-
rivor on one bu