Изображения страниц
PDF
EPUB

E No. 16.

Report of J. J. Stoddard on survey of Maumee river.

SIR: Having, in accordance with your instructions, completed a survey and examination of the Maumee river, from Toledo to Maumee, I have the honor to make the following report, of the practicability and expense of deepening the channel, so as to enable the larger vessels navigating Lake Erie, to ascend to Perrysburg on the southerly and Maumee on the northerly shore of that river:

From Palmer's wharf in Toledo, to the chain-ferry in Maumee, is a direct line south 41° 36', 5 west, 8,4 miles.

1000

Between these points, the river flows at a depth of forty to sixty feet below the level of the adjoining country. Its width varies from an eighth of a mile to a mile.

The banks are bold, in some cases receding from the shore they leave considerable intervals of rich bottom land; but generally rise from near the water's edge.

From Toledo to the head of Grassy point, the channel along the southerly shore is wide and deep, above this point, the southerly channel, which here connects with the northerly, becomes rather intricate, and is used by the smaller vessels only. The northerly channel affords a depth of ten to fifteen feet water, to the foot of Corbut island, three miles above Toledo.

At this place it becomes necessary to recross the river through a very narrow passage, which will probably be improved at some future day, but can very easily be made to answer present purposes, and has not been estimated in detal. After gaining the southerly channel, which is wide and regular, there is from nine to fourteen feet water to the Delaware flats, a short distance above Eagle point, and four and a quarter (4.25) miles above

Toledo.

These flats, which are caused, in part, by the great width of the river at this place, and partly by the diversion of the water from the main river to several lateral channels, are thirty-seven chains in length, afford seven feet water, and may very easily be deepened.

Above the flats, the channel along the northerly shore has from nine to fourteen feet water to the Rock bar, on the first reserve, six and a-half (6.50) miles above Toledo..

This bar, which is forty-five chains in length, affords six and a-half to eight feet water, and may be deepened to nine, at a moderate expense.

From the bar, there is a good channel with eight to ten feet water, to the foot of Big, or Ewing's island.

Around this island are two channels, the northerly one leading to the wharves at Maumee, the southerly to those at Perrysburg. Each of these channels is obstructed by a bar, the removal of which can be effected with. out encountering any very serious difficulty, and will complete the improvements necessary to enable the largest vessels entering the bay, to ascend to the head of navigation. In projecting the plans to be proposed for the improvement of this river, the principle adopted has been: To make all alterations with reference to the depth of water in the bay; but to propose such only as are necessary under present circumstances. And, as it appears from the report made in 1834, by the canal commissioners of the State of Ohio, that the depth of water at a low stage over the bar at the mouth of the bay, is from eight and a quarter to nine feet, it is proposed to secure a channel which shall in all places afford a depth, of not less than eight feet at low water.

To acquire the thorough knowledge of the river, necessary to the accomplishment of this plan, both shores and the islands were surveyed. Sounding lines between determined points, were then run diagonally across the river sufficiently near each other to detect any changes in the character of the channel, and the depths along these lines were measured at equal intervals of thirty to forty feet: in all difficult places, the diagonals were so taken as to be not more than three to five, chains apart in the middle of the river.

These soundings having been taken principally between the twenty-second of June and second of July, when the water was considerably above the low stage to which it falls in September and October, it became necessary to reduce them to their corresponding low water depths. The accuracy of the report and estimate depends on the correctness of this reduction, which was effected in the following manner :

At morning, noon, and evening, of each day, on which soundings were taken, a permanent mark was made at the surface of the water. By inquiries of captains of vessels, of persons owning wharves, and of others acquainted with the river, and by personal examination, low water marks were ascertained at Turtle island, Toledo, Delaware flats, the rock bar, Perrysburg, and Maumee.

These points being compared by an accurate level, were found to differ but a few inches, and their average assumed as the true low water mark. The sounding marks of each day, were referred to this standard, and the corrected soundings recorded as the true low water depths.

The assumed elevation of Lake Erie, at a low stage, is six and a-half feet below the stone door sill in the northerly end of the brick house on "Turtle island, and the corresponding depth at the Rock bar, is six and a half feet. By reference to the following extract from a report made in 1824, by the Canal Commissioners of the State of Ohio, it will be seen that the results of the two surveys are the same, and as at the time of their examination, the water was very low, the correspondence affords strong reason to believe that the elevation now assumed, is not above the level of Lake Erie at a low stage of water.

Soundings were taken of the Maumee river and bay, from the foot of the rapids to Turtle island; off the north cape of the bay, at the point where it is proposed to erect the dam suggested, there is rock bottom, with six and a half feet water. Below this rock, the water increases in a short distance to eight and nine feet depth. At a point between that and Swan creek, a mile above Grassy point, about eight feet water was found, and on the bar at the bay, eight and a quarter to nine feet. This will admit vessels which can pass the bar in the bay, with but little difficulty, up to the proposed dam, and by means of a lock, up to the mouth of the canal."

The place above referred to, as the point at which it was proposed to erect a dam, is on the rock bar.

The influence of the wind upon the waters of the lake, is very great. The sum of elevation and depression produced at the mouth of the river by heavy gales exceeding six feet, and the undulations of the surface consequent upon any disturbance, continuing for some time after the exciting cause has ceased to act. There is a tide or rise and fall of the waters, during the course of almost every twenty-four hours.

These oscillations will of course, at certain times, reduce the water to less than the proposed depth, but as they affect the bay to at least as unfavorable an extent as they do the river, the proposed improvements will

secure an upward passage to vessels at all times when they can cross the bar at the bay.

The bottom at the Delaware flats, is a fine angular sand, easily dredged, and presenting no difficulty of any magnitude. Were the shoals formed principally by deposites, or the bottom of a nature to be very easily affected by the current, the general depth would diminish, and the greatest depth be found in the main channel. The reverse of this is the case.

It is asserted by the most experienced captains, that the depth has not decreased in the period of sixteen to eighteen years. The deepest water is by the shores of Clark and Grassy islands, entirely out of the channel, and in several places the depth increases, in the distance of a few rods, from eight to ten feet.

Through these flats, it is proposed to excavate a channel, perfectly straight, and one hundred feet wide, to the depth of eight feet below the surface of the water; and in order to secure the full force of the current, it is also proposed to close the channels around Grassy and Delaware islands, and the smaller ones between the other islands.

By this means the whole river will be turned into the central and natural channel between Clark and Grassy islands, with a velocity, in high water, exceeding a mile and a half per hour, which is sufficient to prevent the deposit of alluvial earth or quicksand, and will, it is confidently believed, preserve any channel that may be constructed.

The Rock bar, which is a ledge of the rock foundation of the country is composed of a hard gray limestone, of a compact structure, in layers of three to ten inches in thickness. This stone is suitable for building purposes, and may be quarried without any great difficulty. From onefourth to one-third of the stone taken from this bar may be advantageously used in the constructions at Delaware flats. The residue may be corded on the shore and sold at a fair price for building stone, or they can be transported to Turtle island at a moderate expense, and it is believed can be used with good economy in the constructions necessary to the preservation of the light-house at that important place.

Across this bar it is proposed to excavate a channel to the depth of nine feet below the surface of the water, sixty feet wide, and perfectly straight. This width is less than is generally deemed necessary, and should the business done upon the river be as great as is anticipated by many, an extension will no doubt become needful, but at present there seems to be no very strong reason for a greater width than that proposed.

There is no danger from wind or waves. The channel is in the direction of the main stream, and at all times when danger might be apprehended from the force of the current, there is a sufficiency of water over all parts of the bar. Boats happening to meet at the place might be detained for a short time, but the occurrence would be so seldom as to occasion no inconvenience of any consequence.

In the vicinity of Perrysburg and Maumee, the excavation will be in detached portions at several places where there is less than eight feet water, and will consist principally of clay and fine gravel.

This bottom, which somewhat resembles hard-pan, is susceptible of being dredged, but will require a considerable greater expense, per yard, than the bar at Delaware flats.

It is proposed to improve the channel on the Maumee side to Babi's wharf, forty-five chains above the foot of Ewing's (or Big) island; and on

the Perrysburg side to Hollister's wharf, thirty-eight chains above the foot of the same island, and to secure a width of one hundred feet with a depth of not less than eight feet at low water.

ESTIMATE.

Excavating and removing from the channel at Maumee,

8,936 yards clay and gravel at 70 cents

8 buoys on the Maumee side at $15 00

Excavating, &c. at Perrysburg,

9,675 yards clay, gravel, &c. at 70 cents 6 buoys at Perrysburg at $15 00

Excavations, &c. at the Rock bar,

[blocks in formation]

Engineering, superintendence, and contingencies, 12 per cent

Total estimate

[blocks in formation]

The estimate is considered liberal for the plans proposed. Should it be deemed proper to enlarge the dimensions of the channel to be formed, or to effect the improvements in a way different from that proposed, it is believed the charts accompanying this report, will afford sufficient data for projecting, and estimating such other plans as may appear best suited to the accomplishment of the proposed object.

With great respect,

Your obedient servant,

Maumee, July 1835.

JOHN J. STODDARD.

To Captain HENRY SMITH, U, S. A.

Superintendent survey of the Maumee river.

F No. 1..

EXECUTIVE OFFICE,

Detroit, January 24, 1835.

SIR: I have the honor to enclose you a copy of an act passed by the Legislative Council of the Michigan Territory at their recent session, providing for the appointment of commissioners to adjust the boundary

between the State or States to be formed north of an east and west line drawn through the southerly extreme of Lake Michigan, and the States of Ohio, Indiana and Illinois. The conciliatory disposition manifested by Michigan in the passage of this act, it is believed, will be met by a corresponding feeling on the part of your State.

I am, sir, very respectfully,

Your obedient servant,

STEVENS T. MASON.

Hon. ROBERT LUCAS.

AN ACT to provide for the appointment of commissioners to adjust the boundary between the State or States to be formed north of a line running east and west through the southerly extreme of Lake Michigan, and the States of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois.

SEC. 1. Be it enacted by the Legislative Council of the Territory of Michigan, That there shall be three commissioners appointed by the Governor of the Territory of Michigan, by and with the advice and consent of the Legislative Council, whose duty it shall be to enter into a negotiation with such commissioners as may be appointed on the part of the States of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, or with the Governors of those States, to adjust and finally settle the northern boundary of the said States or either of them. It shall be the duty of the said commissioners, or a majority of them, to make a report of their proceedings to the Legislature or Legislatures of the State or States to be formed north of the aforesaid line; and if said boundary line shall be ascertained or agreed upon by the said commissioners, it shall beome the fixed and established boundary between such of the said States as shall consent and agree to the same by the ratification of the proceedings of the said commissioners by their Legislatures, respectively, so soon as their consent shall be given.

SEC. 2. And the said commissioners to be appointed on the part of Michigan shall receive such compensation for their services as may be hereafter allowed them by law.

Approved, December 26, 1834.

F No. 2.

EXECUTIVE OFFICE, OHIO,

To the honorable the General Assembly:

Columbus, February 6, 1835.

I have received from the Acting Governor of the Territory of Michigan, a communication, enclosing a copy of an act passed by the Legislative Council of that Territory, providing for the appointment of commissioners to adjust the boundary between the State or States to be formed north of an east and west line drawn through the southern extremity of Lake Michigan, and the States of Ohio, Indiana, and Illinois, which is herewith transmitted for your consideration. In transmitting this document, I think it just to remark, that had Michigan been regularly admitted into the Union as an independent State, and a doubtful question on the subject of boundary between her and Ohio was in existence, the course proposed in the

« ПредыдущаяПродолжить »