Evening Star Newspaper, March 4, 1882, Page 3

Beport of Chief Engineer Cronin. ‘THE MYRTERIOS EXPLOSION AND THE SERIOUS RESULTS WHICH FOLLOWED IT. Chief Engineer Cronin, of the fire department, in his report to the fire board for the month of February, reters especially to the fire which de- stroyed the Jefferson school building. He says: “On February 4th, at 3:28 am..an alarm was turned in from box 42 by the foreman of engine company No. 4, to which the several compantes ™m that fire district responded promptly. This alarm was succeeded by a ‘general’ four min- utes later, and the remaining apparatus was soon on hand. The morning was cold, the wind blowing freshly from north of east. When No. 4reached the building a fire was discovered burning in the cloak room in the northwest corner of the northwest room of the center sec- tion, the flames being immediately adjoining the west hallway. An entrance was effected, and the flames in that immediate spot were soon gotten under control. and it was supposed that the fire was completely extinguished, a fact which was reported to me by the foreman of | sho No. 4 company. As the building was filled with a dense smoke. I ordered companies | and 3 to the upper floors in the west section, and No. 6 im the east, to ascertain whether there was any THE EXPLOSION FOLLOWED RY A FRESH OvT- BREAK OF THE FLAMES. “Companies 1 and 3had hardly reached the landing on the third floor when there was a loud explosion, which shook the building. This was followed in about ten seconds by one of less degree, and immediately almost the entire cen- ter of the building was in flames and the men | ‘were compelled to beat a hasty retreat. Had it not been for the solidity of the walls all the men in the building would have been crushed. The spread very rapidly. the heat being intense and the heavy projecting cornices and high walls made it too dangerous to effectively work from ladders. The attempt waa made and abandoned. After the roof fell a driving snow storm set in, which aided materially in the extinguishment of | the fiving cinders, which would otherwise Gn- doubtedly have set fire to some of the property on the opposite square—although preparation had been made to meet such anemergency—but at the same time it made it more difficult for the men to manage the streams. To add to the per- Plexities of the oceasion, at 5:28 o'clock an alarm was turned in from box 25, caused by a fire on ©. near 7th street northwest, which Recessitated the withdrawal of three companies, bat even if this had not occurred the building must of necessity been destroyed by reason of its faulty eovstruction and the certain fact that the fire was under way in the entire building before it was discovered.” ORIGIN OF THE FIRE ox. “It has been ascertained that the fire origin- ated ina small room in the basement used as 2 storercom, and which contained at the tine only a few jiteces of board and an armfull of kindling wood; but what caused it. has not been developed. The janitor is positive that there was no chemicals in the western portion of the building, therefore the explosion referred to must have been cansed_ by gas escaping from the multitude of pipes and coming in contact with a large volume of heated air. In regard to the faulty construction of the building. I can give no better description than the following, taken from a report on the sub- | ject made by the building committee of the board of school trustees.” {Here follows an extract from the report published in Tuk Stak of Sat- urday last.) FIREMEN INJURED BY THE EXPLOSION. “When thé explosion referred to occurred there were a number of the men burned and otherwise injured, Privates John Kane, of No. 8. and ©. Boss. of No. 1, being the worse. Foreman Cox and Private Nolan, of No. 3, and Private Adams. of No. 1, were slightly burned. Foreman Sorrell, of No. 4. had his bead se- verely cut and his back injured by some of the faliing debris, and Private White, of No. 3, was also injured in the back.” SAFETY IN TRE FUTURE. The chief quotes from the report of the com- mittee of the school beard the portion recom- mending certain chances of construction in the mew buildings new in course of erection, which changes he heartily indorses, and closes by say— ing, “that the suggestions and recemmenda- tions relative to schools by the commission re- cently appointed te inspect buildings in the Dis- trict should be speedily carried out, as they are absolutely essential, aud unless the changes are made there is an ever present dunger of great Joss of life as well as property.” = ee THE IMPROVEMENT OF THE RIVER FRONT. | $3 ENDORSED BY THE ‘EER COMMISSION. ‘The Reports of Engineer Comminsioner ‘Twining and Col. Abert. The board of engineers convened in New York to consider the plans and estimates for the improvement of navigation of the Potomac river, in the vicinity of Washington, D.C., the establishment of the harber lines, reported their conclusion to be that an improvement which shall combine substantially and in its essential features the harbor and shore lines of Mr. Abert’s plan from Easby’s poiat to the arsenal, and the low grade, filling and surrounding em- bankment of that plan below the Long bridge, with a cheaper revetment than he proposes, with Maj. Twining’s high grade filling and sluicing ponds between the Long bridge and Easby’s point, offers a better solution of the various questions connected with the improvement of lines, and the reclamation of the flats, than any of the other projects or combinations of projects that have been considered. In view of this conclusion reached by the board, it becomes a matter of interest to know something of the details of the plans proposed by Maj. Twining and Engineer Abert, respect- ively. The reports setting forth these plans are therefore printed in fall below : MAJOR TWEINING’S REPORT. Potomac River Frent. [Extract from the report of the Commissioners, D. C., for the year ending June 29, 1579. The condition of the river frontage of the city demands the immediate and careful considera- tion of Congress, not only as @ measure of health, but also with reference tothe futare commercial interests of the city. The zradual secretions on the flats have reached that point when ‘t is necessary that some decisive action shoul’, be taken to abate what is rapidly beeom- ing a Avantic and intolerable nuisance. Three plans have been proposed: Ist. To deflect the int, and as nearly as po: on shore. 2d. To divide the river into two channels, along the Washington and the other aiong the Virginia shore. 8d. To retain but one channel along the Vir- ginia shore, and to ll from the present city to that line. mc the’ first of these plans three objections The practical dificulty of foreing a river subject to violent floods into the desired pos fon. wos a lange extent of saetiat marsh will Temain on the Virginia side, to a petual wuisance to the city. is 3d. From the curvature of the channel the water for a long distance below Easby's Point will be upon the Virginia side, and the shoal water for that distance along the city front, thus sacrificing what will, in time, be valuable wharfage. d_ Easby's he Wash- 1. The so-called harbor of Ws consists of an iusignificant Pocnae front, from the Arsenal Feiut (formers as Greenleaf's Point. the upper point at the Junction of the Anacostia with the Potomac, ) up to the end of the wharf at Iith street, a distance of 4,000 running along’ the aso a sinali channel cnt channel has s werage width ana width of aud avenue or Long brilize, berncen 3 inean low water, feet. The AND CAUSE OF THE EXPLO- | ! raising of the fats in front of the city, and the | navigation, the establishment of the harhor | ¢ THE EVENING STAR: WASHINGTON. SATURDAY,” MAR r channel grafually narrowing, shoals and Lettuce is channel, gradually narrowing, an mes loat in the flats off 17th-street wharf. ‘1 haa an average width of but ‘eet “The yreatest dopah' at greatest which can be carried up thi small guiley in the channel to the navy y' ‘That portion of che chai arsenal just above the navy yard is con- extends, however, up the Ana- coatia, gradually increasing in depth until at a distance of one mile above the bridge it has a depth of but 6 feet. 4. The harbor of Georgetown consists of a por- tion of the Potomac river lying between the front of the fown om the left bank and small portion of the Hight Pank, and Analortan Island, near the right bank. The Georgetow: v a the upper end | Teland, by un aqueduct, | above mean hish also support a bridie above the aqueduct. has au averaze width of 800 fee of 25 feet at mean low water. — | depth over the bar, in the main chani just below this harbor, is but 10 feet This dey ‘been increased by ‘his harbor Nee iron Scien jut the ereatest nater nel of the Potomac, at mean iow water 1s drediing, to 13 feet with a width at the bottom of the changel of 200 feet. | 5. This main channel runs down from Georgetown bor, between Analostan Island and Easby’s Point | (the south end of 27th street west, ) along the ba | Of the river, as far aa the southwest € d thence runs toward the lower point it of the mo: Anacostia, called Geisborough Point, off which it ins the channel from the Anacostia and that from the mac Vashington, and thence the three form the deep channel which continues down the river. ‘The length of this channel, from the canal aqueduct to deep water off Geisborough Point ix 25.000 feet }. Between the nian channel of the Potomac leading | from Geisborough Point to Georgetown harbor, on its | southwest and west sides, the small channel along the ‘ashington front on the northeast and cast sides, the re lying between 17th street west and 27th strect | west (or Easby’s Point) lea an immense marshy flat of 060 acres in extent. One-third of this flat is marsby land, out at low water, with but one to four feet | of water upon the remainder. ‘This m Jand has | accummlated with «reater rapidity during the last twenty years, from the constantly increasing di of thy ink iaterials browsht down by the Potomac, 9 the country above is cleared of forests and put under culti- mn. ‘These materials fnd a natural place of deposit at this | place, aa the Potomac here changes entirely, feom a nar | row mountain stream to a broad, Iake-like river, which | character with brad flats, having © deep channel through them, it retains until near its mouth, 7. “Live deposite upon the fiat referred to, in front of great as do Wi lon, increase ly every year, WT frasses which grow rankly on all parts marsh and wate: oft, becoming annually more and more obnoxious in every way. | _ The reclamation of this flat is an absolute necessity for the preservation of the health of the city, and must be, included in any plan, aside from couimercii par poses, for the improveméut of the water front of Wash- 8. Three general plans only are reasonably feasiblc but the details may be greatly Varied. These general vians are— the tain channel from te Cand D streets southwest, ice continuing along the present front of the city "ins the deep chaunel of the rive: just below the arsenal. B. To haive two channels, forming the flats below Long bridge, into ‘an island. el to semain afore th to Gravelly Point, just i to the deep channel off G int. “Lhe second and smaller chanuel to run from a point just below Easby's Point acroes the flats, with its upper edge touch- | mg the end of the whacf at 17th street west, and thence along the present Washington front until all the cban- nels Join the deep channel of the river off Gelaborough int. C. ‘To have but one channel of sufficient width and depth for all purposes; a direct continuation of the river at Georgetown, to run along the richt bank of the river as of down as Gravelly Pout, and thence directly towards porough Point on the left bank, Joining the deep | chanuel of the river at that point, following nearly the resent main channel of the river. 9. does not reclaim the immense flat in , this reclaination being an absolute necessity for sanitary as well as commercial purposes. | This fst would rapidly become an enormous tarsh opposite the city, and upon that side from which the prevalent winds blow, especially in summer and au- hunn. ‘The cost for excavation in this plan would equal that in either of the other plaus, and its cost for buik- head would equal that of C. but would be less than that bla B. The cost of fillinw up the reinainder of the sreat marshy flats lying on the right of the channel thus Diade, to the right banka Ulin necessary for eanitary Teasons), would grestly exceed the cost of tilling in cithe of the other plane, and these flats would be of compar- tiyely no value when filled. ‘The plan B reclaims aud. utilizes, ne whole of the flat !ying in front of the city. but forms it into an island. ‘The cost of its filling and excavation does not differ greatly from that of plan C, but the cost if iis bulkhead greatly exceeds that of the latter. It has | the advantage of muc for both harbors, 58, 560 ‘as does plan ©, the 4 jast, in B, In the plan B there ting it from the city, involving bridges; lees laad would be reclaimed, and none of it advantageousty available for ital uses. Bat it would aff ‘ereater advan- and sewerage of a large part of ‘The plan C reclaims all the flats, and advances the city front directly to the ed of the harbor-channel affords abundant frontage. about $7, 000 feet, exclusive of piers, wharves, &c.; is much ler expensive, and sivea about 495 acres ‘of Ind most advantageously: 1o- rr ROVErD: MS! ioe ene Bears It is proposed to modify the plan of the board | of 1872 in three particulars : Ist. By leaving the present inside or Washing- | | ton channel below the Long bridge, providing | suitable sluicing-basins for the purpose of keep- ing the channel in proper sanitary condition. 2d. By reducing the width of the outer or | Georgetown channel to 2,000 feet. | 3d. By changing somewhat the proposed dis- | tribution ot the reclaimed lands in order to cor- | respond to the above modifications. | The width of the main channel is determined | as follows |_| The low-water sections of the river gives the | following areas in square teet, viz : | At Long bridge, H. R. Report, No. 264, February 10, Section at Arsenal (smail area on marsh south | _ of main channel omitted). Sections at Long bridge, west side. cons at Long bridge, east side. Mean. 5 The obstruction in and about the piers of the | Long bridge make the sectionsat that point only | approximate. It may be assumed, however, that the mean of the three sections at and be- | low the Long bridge will give a fair approxima- tion to the natural low-water channel-way of , the river. The mean thus found is 24,549 square | feet. With a channel way of 2,000 feet themean | | depth should be 12.27 feet. With this mean | depth the extreme channel depth should be over | twenty-tive feet. The mean ef the sections on the bridge for the present main channel is 21,356 feet, the width is about 2,000 feet, or, deducting one-twentieth for piers and obstructions, 1,900 feet. The mean depth is 11.24 feet, and the ex- treme depth about 26 feet. The sectional area of the proposed channel at the Long bridge, assuming a rise at that point of 9 feet above mean low water, will be 41,646 feet; the present area is 44,154 feet. It will be | necessary then to take out the causeway now existing at the south end of the bridge, 219 feet | in length, to the low-water mark. This will in- crease the area to 43,617 feet. | “During the freshet of 1877 the rise at Easby’s Point was 14 feet ; at 17th street, 10 feet; at the | Long bridge, 9 feet, and at the Arsenal, 8.4 feet above low water. The relation between these different heights shows that the Long bridge presented no obstruction to the free passage of the waters. Asa measure of safety it might be well to carry the bridge, in trestle, for a dis- tance sufficient to give a total high-water sec- tional area of 45,000 teet.* The river at Easby’s Point is reduced to a low- | water section of 18.00 feet, added to which the configuration of the shore is such as, to throw | the current of the main channel strongly against the Virginia side, and to form a broad morass under the lea of the point. It is extremely im- portant that all the wharfage line down to 17th street should be preserved, and that there should be a uniform a along the whole of this front- age. The channel chould therefore be opened by cutting off the point, giving it an area as great as it can probably maintain; that is, about 24,000 feet. If the depth along the bulkhead is as- sumed to be 23 feet, there will be 222 feet to be cut from the point. The excavation wil: be mostly in rock, but the greater part in open catting. It seems most probable that the point of Analostan island should also be removed to the depth of about six feet below low water, in or- | derto throw the main channel more easily against the proposed line of the Washington shore. This is, however. a matter of no pressing impor- | tance, since the direction of the main channel | may be controlled by a retaining wall, composed of rough stone, carried down from the island | ig the position indicated. The channel at this point should be about 1,500 feet in width. With arise of 10 feet in time of flood, the sectional | area would be 39,000. The channelway back of Analostan island, or the section of the rive should then be opened to such a width as to give | about 5,000 feet additionalarea. By thismeansthe flood-line along the Georgetown wharves would be lowered about three feet. It would seem better, if possible, to avoid opening the Analos- | ton shute on account of disturbing the regimen of the river belo ‘This might be done by cut- ting the channel to a somewhat greater widt! at the head of the island, This, wever, is | matter which may be left for future considera- tion. We may say with certainty that the bar in the Georgetown channel will disap] when ; the works here outlined shall nave mn com | pleted. | The inside channel, being stopped at the Lot With suel } { { bridge, will become aa inside basin. | an arrangement proper means must be taken to | keep the water in & pare and wholesome condi- | tion. To accomplish this end flushing or sluic- ing basins are to be provided on the psesent flats above the bridge, into which the water from the outer channel may be admitted at high tide by automatic gates. The waters so accumulated Will be used to flush the Inner channel on the | last third of the ebb tide. The total area of these basins is 109 acres. As the mean rise of the tide is three feet, the quantity of pure water passing from them into the inner channel with each tide will be about 14,000,000 of cubic feet. The entire contents of a channelway of 500 feet wide, with @ mean — of 12 feet, will be 54,000,000 cubic feet. The inflowing tides will supply 27,000,000, while the flushing basins will supply 28,000,000. Thus the water will be en- entirely displaced each day. For a channel greater dimensions Desins claimed form themeelyes into three natural di- visions: Ist, the portion lying below Easby’s Point and above 17th street; 2d, the area be- tween 17th street and the causeway of the Long bridge; 3d, the flat extending from the Long bridge’ to ‘the Arsenal Point, and included be- tween the two proposed channels. Each of these divisions will require a different treatment. The immediate object to be attained is to put the flats in such condition that they wiil nolonger be the sources of malarial disease. With this great end in view a bulkhead line should be carried from Easby’s Point to the Long bridge. The area above 17th street and within the bulkhead should be filled toa height of one foot above mean high tide, and drained by automatic tidal gates in the manner usually practiced in the reclamation of other tidal marshes. It would then remain in the condition of a meadow until by the growth of the city it is required for business purposes, The portion lying below 17th street and above the Long bridge should be filled to extreme high water, and added to*the public parkings, thereby securing to these grounds a river front_ age, and including the open lake and ornamen- tal ponds which form the sluicing basins for the inside channel. The reclaimed lands below the Long bridge should be filled to the height of two feet above ordinary high tide, forming meadows which would only be overflowed at long intervals dur— ing extreme high water. In this condition they might remain until required for business pur- ses. PoThe inside channel should be bulkheaded on the Washington shore, and along the flats simply secured by a slight embankment with a footing of rough stone. The main embankment extending from Easby’s Point to the Long bridge should be secured by a footing of rough stone and rip-rap. The pre- sent width has been taken at fifty feet for the perhose of forming a driveway along the river front. The system of sewers emptying at 17th street should be carried out to deep water through an open canal nine feet in deptn, with revetted tanks to prevent the lodgment of sewage at low tide. The total area of lands reclaimed will be about six hundred and thirty acres, of which oue-third will be thrown into the public park- Ings. On revising the above there are certain modi- fications which I would now recommend. As originally proposed the portion of the flats lying above 17fh street and Easby’s Point, and in- cluded between the present shore line and the Virginia channel, was to be raised’ to the height of high tide and drained as a tidal marsh. It would seem, however, that as this land would have an immediate marketable value, probably exceeding the cost of the reclamation, it would be advisable to fill to its full height of four feet | above the flood line, and thus bring the prop- erty at once into market. Under this supposition the entire cost of the fill above the Long bridge, which, excluding the area to be occupied by the ponds, will be about 214 acres, would be $855,000. To this must be added the cost of the sluice ways at the head of | the inside channel, 240,000; at the outer channel, 330,000; and at the , 210,000; also for ri rap on the outer channel, #40,500; and for the interior lake. $10,000, giving a grand total of ten per cent for contingenci the total cost of the improvement above the Long bridge will be $1,085,150. Below the Long bridge the expenditure may be regulated by the future demands of the city. At the present time, as the flat is not out of water for its whole extent, even at extreme low tide, a fill of one-half of the total area would be sufficient and could be executed for 610,000, or adding $36,000 for rip-rap, 2646.00. The cost of the estimated as follows: 80,000 cubic yards at $4.50. « $360,000 | 27,000“ fe 1.50. 40.500 36,000 earth excavation, at 20 cents 7,200 Total....... Sasdeeaices eoneeee sveeee $407. 709 The cutting on Analostan Island is not essen- | tial to our present purposes and may be left for future consideration. ‘The ultimate cost would not exceed $110,000. It is to be observed that the question of navi- gation is so intimately allied with the sanitary problem that they must be considered as one. In presenting the subject for the consideration } of Congress four questions arise, viz: Ist. Is | thisa work which should be executed at the present time? 2d. Is it advisable to have the work done as a public or private enterprise? 3d It executed as a public work may the methods be left to the discretion of a board of engineers; ; - and, if so, what should be the constitution of | that board? 4th. What disposition should be made of the various undefined rights which are now vasuely claimed by various individuals and companies ? W. J. Twining. Major of Engineers. Area above Long bridge between pres ent shore line and proposed bulkhead To ple nese 5 Area below Long bridge— To bulkhead line. . ‘To pier heads... Area above Long bri tinuation of Wa 323.9 acres. 360.4 -* 905.9acres. 363.7 e, between con- ington chanvel and bulkhead line. B64 To pler heads... 105 + Between continuation of Washington channel and present shore Line to bulkea 1640 + To pier hea 14 Eusby’s Point to 17th street canai../. 1066 « Major Twining’s Supplementary He- port. The following letter was submitted to the board by Major Twining, in answer to a request trom the board: WasINcTon, February 16. Gen. Q. A. Gilmore, President Board of Engi- neers, Harbor of Washiygton: n reply to the letter of the board of the 12th inst., requesting me to present in writing such modifications as I now think should be made in the plan proposed by me in the annual report of the Commissioners of the District of Columbia, for the year 1879, aud requesting esti- mates of cost, I have the honor to state that so far as the general plan of the reclamation and the treatment of the river channel and river harbors are concerned, I see no reason to recom- mend any change. It is not necessal to say that the method of determining the Proper width of the main channel was some- what crude by reason of the lack of time and data, but the very important fact that no per- ceptible change had taken place in the area of the low water section of the river, and no es- sential change In the relative dimensions of the Washingtonand Virginia channels was sufficient- ly established. The later surveys, of course, afforded more accurate results, but show that the low water section assumed was very cor- rect. In the recommendation made in regard to the removal of Easby’s point, I am inclined to think that it Is not necessary to cut to a depth of more than seventeen feet, and that the amount thas saved, which would proba- bly equal one-third the cost of the total cutting, might be more advantageously applied to the removal of the rocky point on Analostan island to a depth of six feet below low water—this depth being assumed simply as one which would be sufficient to prevent the growth of aquatic plants. The question of cut- ting away the points requires a more careful preliminary examination and survey than has yet been made before any accurate esti- mates can be given. My estimate of $407,700 was based upon very partial measurements and soundings. In no case should the Analostan shute be disturbed before the effect of the oper- ation upon the island and Easby’s point shall have been determined. The recommendations in regard to the dimensions of the inner harbor and the uses of the sluicing basins above the bridge were based upon the idea that an actual flushing effect could be obtained in addition to the simple and obvious purpose of purification. 1 am of the opinion now that the width of the harbor can be Increpsed to any required dimen- sions—say 800 Meet—and that the supply of water from the slulcing basins will still be ample to insure o perfect sanitary condition. Under the condl- tions of this harbor there will be little or no de- posit, and any depth which may be once ob- tained by dredging will be maintained for many years. On page 7 recommendation ismade look- ing to the partial filling wo the area above the canal at 17th street and lying below Easby’s point. Iam now dis d to recommend the complete filling of this area, since it would im- mediately assume a value which would readily a the expenditure. have carefully examined the estimate for the reclamation of the area above the Lo bridge. The estimate allows $4,400 per acre for filling. Assuming an average fill of four cubic to each surface yard, the allow- ance amounts to twenty-three cents per cubic Sey whieh, I think, is sufficiently large. he estimates for sluicing are also ample. therefore see no reason to change theamount of the total estimate for the improvement above the bridge. It isto be understood that the esti- mates apply only to the reclamation of the por- tion lying within the harbor line, shown upon my mep as submitted to the and the included area id be increased by throwing the line farther out, a tay. be proper’ to" present to, the boned me may present e my views as fo the order of events in carrying o1 the details of the plan if it should be adopted. toe above the 17th street canal should with og taken from ine being street. the main the gut- ‘ond tting at Easvy’s Point ts | | | eations at which the cros ths CH 4, 1882—DOUBLE SHEET. when completed they should be connected by a canal, occupying a part of the area-to be cov- ered by the ponds, and hat as large a reser- voir capacity as can be given The bulkhead line should then be carried to the bridge, and the lower lake excavated, the drainage of the remaining area being effected through the 17th street canal. After the lower lake has been completed the ent connec- tion between the sluice ways and the lake should be established. The second lake can then be dredged, and its connection made with the one already in operation. The object of the method here recommended is to it the in- ner harbor from being filled with the sediment which will be stirred up in the process of dredg- ing above. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, W. J. TwInine, Major of Engineers, U. 8. A., Engineer Commis- sioner, D. C. , Engineer Abert’s Report. U._S. ENGINEER Orricr, 1907 PE: The Chief of Engineers U.S. Army, Washington, Dz €. GENERAL: The act of appropriation for rivers and harbors, approved March: 3, 1881, contains & provision for a survey of the Potomac and Anacostia rivers, in the vicinity ot Washington, D.C., with reference “to the’ improvement of navigation, the establishment of the harbor line, and the raising of the flats, so far as their im- provement may be necessary to the improve- ment of navigation and the establishment of the harbor line.” This duty was assigned to me by your letter of March 21, 1881. I have the'honor to submit herewith a brief summary of the results ob- tained by this survey betweén the Aqueduct bridge and Giesboro Point, together with a plan and estimate for the improvement of the navi- gation and the raising of the flats and for estab- lishing the harbor lines of Washington city. These results and estimates for the improve- ment of Washington harbor are transmitted at the present time, in order that they may be laid before Congress in time for early consideration. The remainder of the report relating to the Anacostia river, and to that part of the Potomac river between the outlet lock and inclined plane of the Chesapeake and Ohio canal (together with additional data in regard to the harbors of Washington and Georgetown) will be transmitted as soon as it is completed. The survey was commenced at the inclined e of the Chesapeake and Ohio canal, above | own, on the Potomac river, and at the | Anacostia bridge, on the anacostia’ river, and terminated at Giesboro’ Point, where the two rivers unit ‘The shore lines, bridges, wharves, te -sections taken. ‘s-sections soundings were taken the distances be mall wire rope.’ ei band flood tide wi tion. Tidal obser during the prosre: ul Point, and at the Navy Fr tabular statement shows the 1o- -sections were taken, mum depth at | ; areas at low tide, | high tide, and during the freshets of 1881 and nation of this table, it should be stated hot the character, and expanding | into the wide tidal area known as the Washington and Georgetown. The sectional areas of high tide and of fre: below y's Point do not, therefore, repre- of discharge, which must be p vided for in the improvement, as liere the fre a flats and nia The altitud hes at a great of the freshet of ‘ashington and | n channels, into which the river he flats between them, are sep- y indicated in the table. i Tabular statement of cross sections of Potomac river between Aqueduct bridge aud the Arsenal 10, of ection or profile. ' Maximum derth atlow water—it, | Height of treahet | of 1881 above | | low water—feet. | Height of freshe ‘of, 1877 above | low water \ Georgetown channel— |_2 | | Total equare feet. Sectional, at j ih tideeg th z se 8 : = 2 1877. = 2 g ge Og coins . se oF aq & 5 Ed S02 5 ff Ee bet a 3 ene & VELOCITY OBSERVATIONS. ‘The general method of taking the velocity ob- servations was as follows: All depths and veloc- ities observed were those at times of maximum velocity. The vertical sections at right angle to the axis of the stream were divided into par- allelograms whose horizontal width was 100 feet, and whose height was the mean depth over each 100 feet at the line of maximum veloc ity. The suin of the areas of these parallelo- grams was the area of the section of the river at that point. Then the joint mid-area was computed through which a vertical plane par- allel to the axis of the stream divided the area of the whole section into two equal parts. The points were plotted by means of the hori- ontal distances from the common origin of areas and velocities, (viz: a point on the land or wharf near the shore ime.) The point of mid- area was computed for each section and the line of mid-areas drawn through them. The volumes passing through thearea of each of the parallelograms at the time of maximum yelocity was computed and their sum is the total volume passing the section. The point of mid-yolumei was computed through which a vertical plane parallel with the axis of the stream dividesthe volume into two equal parts. ‘ This point was plotted by means of its horl- zontal distance from the: origin. The point of mid-volume was computed: for each section, and the line of mid-volume is drawa through them. iedineie= computation was made for flood and el The plots of flood and ebbourrents show some | outer | dischary | the depth will be 5 feet, the dredged mater of these lines will, however, be made more con- formable by the alteration in the position of the cross section of the present channel. In making the for the improve- ment of the river It was necessay to determine the low water sectional area which should be adopted as astandard. The average sectional area of the river between the Aqueduct bridge and Easby’s point was found to be 19,316 square feet, and for the Georgetown channel between Easby’s and the Long bridge, 20,679 square feet. The sectional area at the Long bridge was be- Ueved to present the conditions necessary for determining tf area which should be assumed asthe standard inthe calculations for the im- pecrement: In these calculations the heightsof | het assumed are those of the freshet of 1877, which was actually a higher freshet than that of | 1881, the greater elevation of the latter above | the Long bridge being due to the ice gorges at that point as already st The cross section taken parallel with and 80 feet above the Long bridge, showed the sec- tional area of the Georgetown channel to be 21,051 equare feet, (between the lines of the abutments), that of the Washington channel to be 4,662 square feet, and of the flats between | 1,826 square feet. The sectional area of the | Washington and Georgetown channels together | at this point is 25.7183 square feet. | From this point to the Arsenal wharfthe aver- age section of the two channels together is about 24,800 square feet, not including the flats be- tween them. As the Georgetown channel will, upon the completion of the improvements, be called upon to discharge the entire body of the | freshet water, its low-water section should be equal to the combined section of the two chan- | nels, and in view of all the facts ascertained by the survey, the standard low-water section has been assumed at 25,000 square feet. The sectional area of the freshet of 1877 has | been assumed as the standard in providing for | the freshet discharge. | A sectional area of 48,000 square feet. with a | Tise of ten feet, has been provided for at the Long bridge. In order to discharge thisthrough | the Georgetown channel it will be necessary to remove the causeway, which forms a part of the abutment of the southern end of the bridge for | a distance of about 400 feet, replacing it by | trestle work (or spaus of bridge similar to tho now in use), the causeway to be removed to a depth of three feet at low water, 80 as to allow the tide to flow underneath it. The sectional areas above and below the | bridge will be sufficient for the discharge of the water of freshet: 1. The low tide sectional area assumed as a standard is 25,000 square feet. 2. The high tide sectional area assumed as @ | standard is 32,875 square feet. | 3. The freshet area assum a standard is 48,000 square feet. | The limits of the flats to be reclaimed. as con- templated in the act, by means of the dredzed material, the port warden lines for the Wash- ington channel, or inner harbor port warden li ‘ves nor landing sli cated on the lines are not indicated prec wili be fuily laid down on I: ody the fuller results of the survey. On the Georgetown channel the harbor line commences at E " i of the causew a curve, nearly pa with the river channel, to a point on the below the Arsenal wharf at the intersection of the two channi ton channel, the inner line ly the limits of existing wharves, and the outer line of the Washington harbo 800 feet from the inner line. i beyond which hich em- mencing northwest corner * whart, running thence in a straizht line to a point 15 feet outside the southw: corner of the lower wharf of the Great Falls Ice Co., thence in a straight line to a point 25 feet le the southwest corner of Evans’ stone thence in a straizht line to a point 25 outside the northwest corner of the third wharf below the Alexandria Ferry Co's slip. thence in a ight line to the southwest corner of the art of the Inland and Seaboard and continuing to a point 140 feet above the st angle in the Arsenal wall and 220 feet west of said Wall, thence tua point 150 feet outside the Arsenal wall at the site of the old peniten- tiary wharf, thence to a point 10 feet west of st corner of the existing Arsena’ n channel above the Long bridge ft open as far as 17th str The greatest depth of the sectional area of is assumed as equal to the greatest hot the proposed channel, the assumpti s based on the observations of velocities of b and flood The part of the channel south of the r med area, being partly an estuary of Chesape may have a low-wate nal area greater than the low-w: ri t point, without any alteration of the water surface of the ri The tidal area excluded by the improvenient 1 be about 695 acres. While the exclusion of tidal water in har desired, in the pres ‘ vided. The increased depth of channel wiil Weyer, facilitate the propagation of the tide! nd will in some 4 » compensate for lusion of tidal water. IMPROVEMENT. The general plan of improvement consists in izing the Georgetown channel to a maxi- mum depth of 25 fect, with a bottom width of dredzed channel not less than 400 feet so as to give a low water area of 25,000 square feet; dredging the Washinzten channel between the Long bridge and theArsenal wharf to a width of 400 feet at the bottom and a depth of 20 feet at low water, and thence to the outer wall, where jal iv present iow to be placed upon the flats, so as to r ise th them to a height of 6 feet above low water, this area to be protected from freshets, by means of an embankment around the’ edge of the re- claimed area, with a provision for drainage. It may further be desirable to dredge out a basin above the Long bridge and along side of the pre- sent sewer canal to scour out this canal at low water. As the detail of this general ptan of im- provement may be varied somewhat, I have pre- feet | Co., | ie mM | peopl dred; posed equals that of the embank- ee enc nar additional material is required for filling it can be taken from the vicinity of the Naval Observatory. RECAPITULATION OF ESTIMATER. The first estimate submitted, for a filling 6 feet in height, with a dry rubble masonry wall and embankments, ts the estimate recom- mended for the improvement, and amounts to $2,271,480. The second estimate is a modifica- tion of the first, by omitting the embankments and using a slope protection of rip-rap, and amounts to $1,891,483. While ifthe filling is made 5 fect high, with the rip-rap slopes, the cost will be €1,760,216. 1, however, recommend the adoption of the first lan. PiThe price of dredging is taken at 18 cents per cubic yard on the assumption that at least 600,000 per year will be available for the work. Ifsmaller appropriations are made the cost per cubic yard—and therefore the total cost— must be increased accordingly. METHOD OF EXECUTING THE WORK. It is recommended that the work be done by contract im the usual manner, and that the work below the Long Bridge be executed first 80 as to prevent the formation of ice gorges and the consequent injury to property. T respectfully recommend that an appropria— | tion of $2,271,000 be made for the purpose of carrying out the improvement, at least $700,000 to be available annually. “The following maps and plans accompany this report: One general map, scale 1-10000. show- cross-sections of the river: 1 sheet of velocity observations of tidal current; 2 plans, showing proposed wall and slope protection of rip-rap, &c. Very respectfully, your obedient servant, (Signed) 8. T. ABERT, U.S. Civil Engineer. oe How Charlotte Corday Killed Marat. David Graham Adee in The United Service. On Saturday morning at 8 o'clock Charlotte hurried out of the Rue des Vieux Augustins, and walking rapidly to the Palais Royal, entered acutler’s shop and bought a large sheath-knife, with double edge and an ebony handle, paying | three francs for it, and hiding it in her dress: She then went straight to the Place des Vic- toires, where she hired a hack, telling the driver, “To the Rue des Cordeliers, Numero 44!” now the Rue de I'Ecole de Medecine, It was the domicil of Doctor The anarch was living in quite a hum- ling, in company with his housekeeper, | Catharine Evrard, whom he had dec! wife, after the fashion of Rousseau, ing her such “in the face of the sun.” now known as Albertine Marat. ag sick and could see no one, so M Marat came to the threshold curtly to say. } visitor seemed disappointed, but quietly. w. leaving no name or message. Returning Hotel de la Providence, she deliberately Marat the following short not: | bave arrived from Caen. Your love for the country makes me p with interest the unt awa to the ppy eventsof that part of the Republic. I shall present myself at your house abont 1 o'clock. Haye the goodness to ceive me, and grant me a moment's inte i will put you in a way to render a gr to France. ‘There was no tremor in the lines, nor besita- tion of language, and the “great service” she meant to make Marat render France is now ob- jous enough. Terthis note she received no an- swer, She accordingly wrote another messaze. still more pressing, and set out with it herse! By coach, at 7 in the evening. She was carefull clad ina white dress, covered on the shoulders by asilk fiche. Her hair was confined in a Nor- man coiffe, of which the falling lace touched | her pallid cheek. A broad green ribbon fastened the coif on her temples, while a few curls, full and dark, with auburn ends, lay on her pearly neck. A handsomer daughter of Normandy had never set foot in Paris. | It was the 13th of July, 1793, yellow and sul- | try, the anniversary eve of the fall of the Bas. tille. The people were crowding the narrow streets without sidewalks of the ancient city ling the momentous event, refreshing their | spirits at the fonts of patriotism, and wonder- jing, in their wonted way, who would be tum- | brele th on the morrow, which promised to be so bright and warm and clear, little wot- | ting of the impending tragedy to-day. As Char- ' lotte rode along she saw the cabarets and crem- | eries thronged with noisy groups of the middie | classes, who were loudly protessing allegiance ‘o the triumvirate. and approval of the popular idea of “Liberte, egalite and fraternite,” at a safe and decent distance from the unwashed patriots of the pave. She alighted in the Rue des Cor- deliers, in front of Numero 44, unfaiteringly as- ded the step, and when the door was opened housekeeper Albertine, ever watchful against rivals, politely but firmly requested to see Citoyen Marat. Marat was in_his bath in his ing-room, covered to the chin with a sheet, hen, furrowed face, crafty and cadaverous, aspect of asperit: | Thiers describes | head, high chee | chest. skinny arms and liv picture. There was a plank across the bath on which were lying papers and letters and he had a pen in his fingers. He heard the voices iu the hall, those of his jealous mistress and the persistent stranger,and croaked out an order to admit the visitor. being attracted by the soft sweet music of her accents. Char- lotte at once pushed past the woman and stepped nimbly into the room murmuring, * Citizen, I am trom Caen, the seat of revolt, and want to speak with you.” Whined the “friend of the ow, what are the traitors about at ‘wen? ” Answered Charlotte, ‘* Nothing of con- | Sequenc There was a serivener in the room, Laurent Basse, who looked up from si | and listened, his attention attracted by the pe- | culiar tone of abstraction of the lady. |“ What named a few of her intimate friends among the | tfugees she had so lately left. Screamed Marat, | in a shrill, yet husky, tone, the voice of Ulness | ume that you will hear | t service | | deputies are at Caen?” asked Marat. Charlotte | HOME MATTE THINGS USEFUL xD HINTS FOR WomEN NAMENTAL — FRALT® RASTER DECORATIONS. Hear the bread knife very hot when abont to cut new bread; this will prevent its crumbling. Arnos which are very useful in the kitchen ake made of ticking; get one yard; put a band on as for any apron, then tura it up at the bottom fora quarter of a yard. or even more, right side; fasten each end securely, pocket the clothes pins ean be carried or used with ease. Tue Broow Brvsi is one of the favorite ob- | Jects of decorative fancy. An easy and pretty | method of rendering it attractive ix by means of two embroidered pieces of fe cut to ft the broad sides and connected together with pufis of satin which shape themselves to the brush. | Stamrep PLesn 1 | coming into use among t Sand chair seats. FLowers are e handsome ottomans These are produced with the | most carefal attention to the drawing. and are applied with tinsel braid mingled with colors. Two beautiful banner screens & decoration | of autumn leaves in stamped plush imitating | perfectly their colors and forms. The arrange- nent of such a design depends, of course, on the individual's taste and skill: in this cae the | leaves were grouped as if growing on a broken branch. How to Dispose oF Curtsrwas, Easter ann | Ing proposed plan of improvement, harbor lines, Birtapar Carns is among the puzzling ques- ‘channel and area to be reclaimed: 1 map, on & | seale of 400 feet to an_ inch, showing cross-sec- | tion and line of mid-area and mid-volume: 9 | | tions of the season. Various wire racks have been brought out for thispurpose, but the effect, as a wall decoration, has not been agreeable. This can be remedied by lining the wire rack with crimson satin slightly putfed, and arrang- ing the cards so that the satin will make of frame. Above is a crimson-covered bo on which is embroidered the word “Souvenir. | Relow is a corresponding piece embroidered with flowers and hung with tassels, | A SenvictaBis Cover tothrow ever alounge or couch In the sitting-room is made by taking | abroad, bright stripe of eretonne;on each side of | this puta stripe of black or dark brown cloth | Cline it to give body to it); on each edge put a | Tow of fancy stitches in silk or crewel: the ends | may be finished with fringe or net as you j choose. Another cover is made of the drab | Aida canvas, with the ends worked in loose | overcast stitches. The canvas may be fringed out if you take the precaution to overcast the | edge where you stop ravelling, to prevent ite | fraying out to greater depth than you care to | have it.—W. ¥. Post, | Tuosk Uskrot Bags which are a part of man’s shopping equipment ap. pear among other novelties made of substantial nely bed-ticki For these the n 1 white striped ti Jong and osen. ripes are cove id and | the white stripes ornamented with point-russe stitch in colored silks green, red, Mue and | orange—spanning the white at'small intervals, | the broad edge of the ornament resting on the | gilt braid. The result is pretty and rich a combination of colors as one could wish. The | bag is then made up with colored satin—red, brown, blue, or green—and is gathered with @ ing string at the top. The bed-ticking also partly lined with satin, apd the ner is turhed over.—Art Amatew 7H Hits For Wom The Philadelphia Lrdgerreports a lecture, given by Dr. Lora Jackson, in that city, upon the question what can women, living at home, doing their own housekeeping, or employed in stores, factories, sewing, &c..do toward keeping theirown bodies in health? The necessity was strongly urged, especially to those engazed In sewing, of daily exercise. A daily waik was almost a necessity, but, in addition to this, there should be some of bringing into play, if only for a few min- utes, ail the muscles of the body, The lecturer spoke ot a little arrangement for gymnastica, which is very cheap, and can be fixed in ange room. The systematic use of this for a few min- utes every evening before going to bed, with the clothing free, and the windows lowered a little for fresh air, will be of great advant: perry cha bring such an arrangement her next lecture, and show her audience how to use it: The daily bath was insisted on, not only for cleanliness, but as a means of avoiding colds. This was not to be the plunge bath, which Ie too great a shock for any but very vigorous per. sons, but a quick wash from head to foot with @ sponge or towel, followed by a vigorous rap- bing, the whole not lasting more than five mim- utes. Regular meals, with nourishing food, were urged. The doctor condemned the prac- tice so common among sewing wowen and others of sedentary occupations of living om baker's bread and tea, because “it doesn't seem worth while to cook just for ourselves.” But it is worth while to Keep up the strength for work, and to that end the woman who sews needs not only meat and vegetables, but sual} cient variety to keep up her appetite: milk was especially recommended, as both handy and ex- tremely nourishing. Another point, too fre quently disregarded, was the necessity for rest and sleep. When you find, after being close at work for days or Weeks, that you are getting & queer pain at the back of the head: when you geta habit of carrying the thought of your work, | whatever it is, to bed with you, and can’t stop | thinking about it, and, when you finally get to | sleep, go on working in your dreams, then it Is | time to break right off and rest; better lone @ few days now, even at considerable sacrifice, than go on a little longer and be laid up for months with a spell of illness, or ruined for years by falling into that dreadful state known as nervons prostration. Easter Decorats ‘Decorations, such as wreaths, texts, banners, crosses and othe: de. signs, may be carried out with great success with flowers. Foratext made im flowers an economical and yet a very effective plan is to cut the letters out in cardboard, and paint them over with the same color as the flowers you pur- using. When dry wash over with stra liquid glue. and before this dries take the hy pared the following estimates: i ESTIMATE NO. 1. The dredged material to be deposited on the flats, so asto raisethem to a height of 6 feet above low water, both above and below the Long bridge. An embankment around the edge of the reclaimed area, 50 feet wide ontop, with outer slope of 1g to 1, and inner slope 3’ in 100’ Height 12 feet above low water above bridge, and 10 feet below bridge. The edge of the filling protected by a wall of dry rabble ma- sonry. s.010310 cu. yds. material dredged and deposited on flats, at 1Sc...... .$1,609,238 366,020 cu. yds. embankment at 200...” 73,204 500,000 cn. hig inner slope embank- ment, at 18¢.. cesses 90,000 Dry masonry wall. LITT gge!sa0 206,498 .. 2,271,480 Contingencies, 10 per cent. Total. ESTIMATE NO. 2. Height of filling 6 feet as above. Embankment along Virginia avenue from 18th street to the high ground on the monument lot, to protect the city against floods, slope protection of rip- rap and 8,940,210 cubic yard dredging, at 18¢. Embankment on Virginia avenue. Slope protection. Contingencies . $1,609,238 10,740 If the height of filling is made 5 feet with em- bankments aud slope protection, rip-rap and piles, the cost would be $1,760,216. Ponds for siuicing the sewer canal can be con- structed without additional expense, except for gates for receiving the water at flood tide and discharging it at ebb tide. The area ot 57 acres ot the Washington chan- nel between the Long bridge and 17th street, could be used for sluicing out the Washington channel, if the canal is not built. The dredg- ing of this area te a depth of 10 feet is provided for in the estimate. CANAL. The estimate for a canal on the line indicated | on the map connecting the Washington channel with the Georgetown channel is not included in the general estimate of the improvement. As, however, some information may be desired as to the cost of the canal I have the following estimate for a canal 200 wide and 20 feet deep, as interesting results as to the effect of the tidal current upon the fluvial of the river. From the Little Falis to a point nearthe Poto- mac Boat Club house in Georgetown, there are ing entire period of flood tide, so that t! nly effect of the flood tidal current abot Pid caparrteutalsbe of tha bttneid la hase at Jlling, shown on this map, it has not been practicable on account of economical con- sidering to make them. cx eir heads shall This angry threat Suddenly snatching the knife from her bosom, Charlotte plunged the blade |deep into Marat’s heart, even to the hilt, the sheath remaining In her dress. Cried Marat, hoarsely, ‘‘Amoi chere amie !” calling Catherine, and sank back in the bath limp and lifeless, dying, literally, in a bath of blood. In an instant Laurent Basse had started up, and seizing a chair, felled Charlotte to the floor. The chere amie flew furiously at her, and stam ed upon her body. Then the neighbors and tl passers-by ran in, and an attempt was made te secure the assailant, but she resisted, overtarn- ing a table and chairs, and intrenching herself behind this barrier, until the police presently came in, when she ran behind the tolds ofa window cu rtain, but peaceably submitted to ar- rest. Before she could be carried from the scene a characteristically revolutionary occur- rence had taken place, however. One Langlois, astay-maker of the Rue Dauphine, picked up | the knife, and waving it above his h | speech, calling for the murder of the murderess | by the mob on the very spot of the commission of her crime. ple!” exclaimed Charlotte at this. | Was fatal to him. “Poor “You wish my death, when you owe mean | = for delivering you from a wholesale assas- | tmparting information Under Difficul- From the Detroit Free Press. It was on a street car coming up from the Union depot yesterday. A man with a very hoarse voice looked across the aisle ata man with a country satchel between his feet, and sai “Wintry day, isn’t it?” “Hey?” called the other as he put his hand to his ear. “Seems like winter, doesn't it?” shouted the began a man who was standing up, “he says it seems like winter.” At this moment the hoarse voiced man rose up and slid out ofthe car. Ashe did so the deaf man rose up, laid two parcels on the seat, and called out: ‘33 iouder; I'm deaf!” “He says it seems like winter!” bawled the man standing S “Who |, made a | of the flowers only and press on the letters, taking care to cover the cardboard ope | A flower may be broken or torn, and it wi ; answer just as well as the best. For a ban- | ner or device on a wall a groundwork might be | made entireiy of the petals of scarlet gera- niums, the letters or design of white flowers. If you wish to keep your design for further use, small everlasting flowers would be best. Mose forms the best green White is essen- tially the color for Easter, and lilies the flowers of all others for decoration. We have seen small made entirely ofthem. A framework was covered with white cardboard; on this was sewn white cotton; upon this sprays of maiden- ce cig so that the com = cov- no two ys ove ping other; on | teow ecestl tuica was gl the fall width ‘of the frame. Wreathing for Easter may be | made by sewing moss on ¢trips of brown paper | cut the right width and length: the flowers and | leaves are sown in; if plenty of good damp moss is used, the lero retain their freshness for @ great length of time. Few country churches have a reredos, and, as | the east end is the one upon which the greatest taste and skill should be expended, it may be usefal to suggest a temporary and decorative one, which, with some decoration on the font, would be sufficient for a small church. Leto framework of thin laths be made, the length of which should reach from one side of the east window to the other, and make it two and a half feet deep, or whatever sary to fill the space. Divi parts. Make the center twi sides, and on each side this center place a lath, 80 that they will be four or five inches apart; cover the whole frame with red or white. You should now cut a cross, or any other suitable device, and cover it with flowers for the center; & panel of flowers on each side ove. the and a similar pane! on the two outsides, or the center panel and have only the outside one; then adda wreath made very neatly on paper round the whwle, A permanent ornament of this kind may be made with a little needlework at a small cost. Take a piece of red or white serge cloth the size required, trace on it your design in the centre,e floriated cross of lilies and flowers ora ik EF?s Ary ek HH