or shore, draw-span is not more than 85 feet, a width insufficient for the safe passage of rafts of the ordinary size, even when guided by steamers, without further assistance from shears or booms properly con structed and placed. In addition, the right draw-span is frequently reduced in navigable width by accumulations or jams of floating logs. which lodge against the square, up-stream face of the pier to the right of the draw pier. This pier should be altered in plan, or a sheer should be placed above it to divert floating bodies to the adjoining spans, and a boom should be placed along the left bank to assist rafts in making the left draw-span.

I understand that parties interested in the navigation of the Chippewa River have endeavored, but without success, to induce the bridge-owners to place booms, as required by the terms of the act of the legislature authorizing the construction of the bridge.

Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

Brig. Gen. JAMES C. DUANE,

Chief of Engineers, U. S. A.

CHAS. J. ALLEN,
Major of Engineers.

REPORT OF LIEUTENANT-COLONEL J. W. BARLOW, CORPS OF ENGI

NEERS.

ENGINEER OFFICE, UNITED STATES ARMY,

Chattanooga, Tenn., January 26, 1887. GENERAL: In compliance with General Orders No. 7, Headquarters Corps of Engineers, November 30, 1886, I have the honor to submit the following report, having reference to "bridges, causeways, or structures now erected or in process of erection," that "do or will interfere with free and safe navigation" upon the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers and navigable tributaries.

1. Five bridges spanning the Tennessee River are of this character. forming complete or partial obstructions, as hereinafter shown, viz: (a) The bridge which is now an absolute barrier to ordinary steamers is located at Florence, Ala., and was built by the Memphis and Charleston Railroad Company, upon a branch line of that road connecting Florence with the main line at Tuscumbia, about 7 miles distant.

At the time of its construction, this point was considered the head of navigation on the Tennessee River, as the Mussel Shoals, just above, practically closed this river to vessels of all classes. The piers of this bridge are quite near together, and being placed at an angle to the cur rent, which is very swift, render the passage of vessels extremely dificult and dangerous.

This bridge is built for combined railroad and carriage traffic, has no draw, is of 17 spans of about 100 feet length, and has an elevation above high water of only 13 feet and above low water of about 334 feet. It was built with reference to light traffic, and is not consid ered sufficiently strong to admit the passage of the heaviest engines and trains in general use on other roads. It is a total barrier at all stages of the water to steamboats of the usual size plying upon our western rivers.

In view of the near completion of the Mussel Shoals Canal, and its being opened to navigation within the next twelve months, and the increase of the commerce of the Tennessee consequent upon communica

tion to its upper tributaries, it would appear to be obligatory in the interests of navigation that this Florence bridge be abated, or be modified to the extent of the removal and reconstruction of at least three of its piers. The new piers should be placed parallel with the current of the river, and the distance between them, owing to the velocity of the current, should not be less than 150 feet in the clear, the middle pier of the three to carry a turning bridge.

Information has reached me informally that commercial interests in that region will soon demand a bridge adapted to heavier traffic, and pending such construction, or positive action looking thereto, I urgently press the necessity of an official declaration of the obstructive character of the present bridge to "free and safe navigation."

In this connection, reference is respectfully made to my letter of December 16, 1886, to the President et al. of the East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia Railway Company, and the reply thereto, dated January 8, 1887. (Appendixes A and B.)

(b) The bridge of the Memphis and Charleston Railway at Decatur, Ala., is also an obstruction to the present and prospective commerce of the river. It consists of 12 spans of about 154 feet average available length; it has the narrowest draw-533 feet-ot any bridge crossing the Tennessee or Cumberland rivers. It is readily seen that with an increased commerce, and increased size of steamboats plying upon the river, that the draw-span should be enlarged to not less than 150 feet in the clear. In this connection see Appendixes A and B.

(c) The bridge of the Nashville, Chattanooga and Saint Louis Railway Company at Bridgeport, Ala., is an obstruction now and will be more so in the future. It has five spans of an average length of about 140 feet; a draw of only 654 feet in width, and it is of faulty construction, so as to present a constant peril to life and property even to the small craft that now have to pass it. As in the case of the Decatur bridge, and for the same reasons, the draw should be enlarged to a width of not less than 150 feet in the clear, to provide even the present commerce with "free and safe navigation."

In this connection reference is made to my letter of December 27, 1886, to the president et al. of the Nashville, Chattanooga and Saint Louis Railway Company, and the reply thereto, dated January 19, 1887. (See Appendixes C and D.)

(d) The bridge at Johnsonville, Tenn. (Nashville, Chattanooga and Saint Louis Railway), is of nine spans, each of about 164 feet average length, having a draw of 97 feet width (estimated). This bridge is rendered a serious obstruction by reason of its faulty construction. The river is undermining its draw-piers, and to partially prevent this damage the company has deposited large masses of stone in the waterway, thus narrowing the channel and causing the formation of constantly enlarging sand-bars below the bridge.

Navigation reasonably demands that this obstructive riprap be removed. The piers, in my judgment, should be rebuilt, and the draw widened to not less than 150 feet in the clear, the interests of commerce and the safety of life and property afloat requiring it.

On December 27, 1886, I addressed a letter to the Evansville, Paducah and Tennessee River Packet Company, asking for information pertaining to the present condition, &c., of this bridge. (See Appendix E.) The reply thereto forms Appendix F. In Appendix C inquiry was also made of the Nashville, Chattanooga and Saint Louis Railway Company, but no mention was made of this bridge in their reply. (Appendix D.) (e) The bridge of the Chesapeake, Ohio and Southwestern Company,

at Gilbertsville, Ky., operated by the Newport News and Mississippi Valley Company, is a very serious obstruction to "free and safe naviga tion."

It has nine spans of about 150 feet average width, an l a draw of only 100 feet width. It is not built at right angles to the current; the upper rest-pier is actually in the channel used by boats, and the lower rest-pier has fallen in.

The present and prospective commerce demands that the piers should be rebuilt, and a draw of not less than 150 feet in the clear should, in my opinion, be constructed so as to amply provide for safely navigat ing the Lower Tennessee River.

In this connection I respectfully refer to my letter to the Newport News and Mississippi Valley Company, dated January 7, 1887, and the reply thereto, dated January 12, 1887. (Appendixes G and H.)

Also to the statement of the Evansville, Paducah and Tennessee River Packet Company in reference to this bridge. (Appendix F.)

2. The Hiawassee River is spanned at Charleston, Tenn., by a bridg of the East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia Railway; it has no dra has three spans of 120 feet width; its height above low water is abor 36 feet. There has been no serious complaint of this bridge to n knowledge, but the fact remains that when the river is at a good boating stage only the smallest class of steamboats can pass under it. A draw will become a necessity when the commerce of the river is sti further developed by the improvements begun and projected above Charleston. (See Appendixes A and B.)

3. The bridges herein described are undoubtedly obstructions in fact though they may not be obstructions in law, having been erected unde State legislative authority, Congress having been silent in the matter: but in the interests of the commerce and navigation of the present and the near future it is respectfully submitted that the modifications herei suggested, or such as will be productive of like results, should be adopte and enforced by the declarative action of Congress assenting thereto. 4. The log-booms formed in the Upper Cumberland have been herete fore complained of by raftsmen, but these "structures" are not deeme of sufficient importance to need official abatement at present; at least no complaints of any recent date have been received. Very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. W. BARLOW, Lieut. Col. of Engineers.

APPENDIX A.

LETTER OF LIEUTENANT-COLONEL J. W. BARLOW, CORPS OF ENGINEERS, TO THE EAST TENNESSEE, VIRGINIA AND GEORGIA RAILWAY COMPANY.

Engineer Office, UNITED STATES ARMY, Chattanooga, Tenn., December 16, 1886. GENTLEMEN: In view of the recent national legislation bearing upon the subject of bridge and other structures that "do or will interfere with free and safe naviga tion" I have respectfully to call your attention to certain bridges under your control that do interfere with such navigation.

(1) The bridge over the Tennessee River at Florence, Ala., upon the Memphis and Charleston Division of your system, is, in my opinion the worst of the obstructions upon that river, and, as a matter of fact, presents a serious barrier to navigation as

arried on even now in boats that ply in the Tennessee below Florence and above Decatur, and in view of the near completion of the Mussel Shoals Canal and the conquent increase of commerce, calling into use upon the Tennessee a larger class of teamboats, this bridge will then form an absolute barrier to navigation.

It is well known to your honorable body that this Florence bridge has no draw, is ery low, of narrow spans, and its piers located without regard to the direction of the urrent, which is very strong, and is structurally slender and weak. In fact, of the ridges that cross the Tennessee and Cumberland rivers and their tributaries it has he shortest available span (100 feet) and the least height above the high-water surace, having at that stage only 14 feet and above the low-water surface it has about 34 feet.

(2) The bridge at Decatur, Ala., crossing the same river, is also a serious obstrucion, having a very narrow draw-534 feet-the narrowest draw in any bridge crossng the Tennessee or Cumberland rivers, and which will, in all probability, be prolific floss and damage to the craft seeking to pass through its piers.

(3) The bridge over the Hiawassee River at Charleston, Tenn., has no draw, has hort spans, and only 36 feet above the low-water surface. "Free and safe naviga

ion" cannot be had for steamboats under these conditions when the river is at a good boating stage.

In view of these facts it is readily seen that the Florence bridge should be proided with a draw-span of suitable dimensions (I suggest 150 feet) or be abated, and hat the Decatur bridge should be modified to the extent of constructing a draw of ufficient dimensions to render the passage of boats safe and without unusual risk to ife and property, and that a draw in the Charleston bridge is desirable, though the mount of commerce may not at present make it imperative.

It is respectfully desired that your company will favor me with an early reply, emodying its views upon this matter, with such suggestions as may be deemed pertient thereto, and if any action has been taken, or is likely to be taken in the near ature, having in view the modification or abatement of either of said bridges, that I nay be officially informed of said facts, so that I may be enabled to give them careul consideration, and to submit "all information attainable" with my report to the War Department upon this subject of obstructions in the navigable waters of the engineer district in my charge.

In this connection please read the following copy of "orders":

"HEADQUARTERS CORPS OF ENGINEERS,

"UNITED STATES ARMY, "Washington, D. C., November 30, 1886.

"GENERAL ORDERS,

"The attention of officers of the Corps of Engineers * is invited to the following provision contained in section 4 of 'An act making appropriations for the construction, repair, and preservation of certain public works on rivers and harbors, and for other purposes,' approved August 5, 1886: "SEC. 4. The Secretary of War shall whether any bridges, causeways, or structures now erected or in process of erection do or will interfere with free and safe navigation.'

report to Congress

"Officers and agents will prepare and submit to this office, as soon as practicable, full and detailed reports covering all facts within their knowledge and all information attainable by them, that the Chief of Engineers may present to the Secretary of War the data necessary to enable him to comply with the above-quoted provision of the river and harbor act of August 5, 1886.

"By command of Brigadier General Duane:

"JOHN M. WILSON,

"Lieut. Col. of Engineers, Colonel U. S. Army."

I am, gentlemen, very respectfully, your obedient servant,

J. W. BARLOW,
Lieut. Col. of Engineers,

In charge of Improvements of Tennessee and Cumberland rivers, &c.

The PRESIDENT, DIRECTORS, ET AL.,

Of the East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia Railway Company.
ENG 88-166

APPENDIX B.

LETTER OF THE VICE-PRESIDENT OF THE EAST TENNESSEE, VIRGINIA AND GEORGE RAILROAD COMPANY TO LIEUTENANT-COLONEL J. W. BARLOW, CORPS OF ENGINEELS

EAST TENNESSEE, VIRGINIA And Georgia RAILROAD COMPANY,

Knoxville, Tenn., January 8, 1857.

DEAR SIR: The president of this company has referred to me your communicati under date of the 16th ultimo, calling attention to the fact that certain bridges a the Memphis and Charleston and East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia railroads terfere with navigation. Absence has prevented an earlier reply.

The East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia Railway Company operates the Mem and Charleston Railroad as lessee, and expenditures for the reconstruction of brid can only be made by authority of the Memphis and Charleston Railroad Compas The president of that company, with whom I have conferred on the subject, adv me that the question of putting a draw into the Florence Bridge was up for consie ation some years ago, and his company then took the position that in view of the fa that Florence had been declared by statute the head of navigation at the time. company's bridge over the Tennessee River at that point was constructed, any charg necessary on account of the extension of navigation should be made at the exper the Government out of the fund appropriated for the improvement.

Whether or not this position is tenable I do not pretend to say; the matter has be referred to the legal department of the company for advice.

Upon diligent inquiry I have learned that so far the bridge over the Tenness River at Decatur has not proved any obstruction to navigation. Whether the en pletion of the river improvements will make such changes as will necessitate the stitution of a wider draw-bridge remains to be seen.

In regard to the East Tennessee, Virginia and Georgia Railway Company's br over the Hiawassee River I will say that the commerce above that bridge is so v small, and not likely to increase in the near future, that the consideration of question of putting a draw in that bridge can, in my opinion, be deferred.

Yours, very respectfully,

Lieut. Col. J. W. BARLOW.

HENRY FINK.

Vice-President

APPENDIX C.

LETTER OF LIEUTENANT-COLONEL J. W. BARLOW, CORPS OF ENGINEERS, TO THE NAT VILLE, CHATTANOOGA AND SAINT LOUIS RAILWAY COMPANY.

ENGINEER OFFICE, U. S. ARMY, Chattanooga, Tenn., December 27, 18 GENTLEMEN: In view of the recent national legislation bearing upon the subject bridges and other structures that "do, or will, interfere with free and safe navigatio I have to respectfully call your attention to certain bridges under your control th do interfere with such navigation.

(1) The bridge over the Tennessee River at Bridgeport, Ala., is now, in my opini a serious obstruction, and in view of the near completion of the Mussel Shoals Cars and the consequent increase of commerce, calling into use upon the Tennessee Rive a larger class of steamboats, this bridge will then form an obstacle demanding mo

ification.

This bridge, as your honorable body well knows, is of short spans and narrow dra (65) feet), and forming by its faulty construction a constant peril to life and propert seeking to pass through it.

(2) The bridge at Johnsonville, Tenn., over the same river, is also a very seri obstruction, and in consequence of faulty construction, causing the undermining the draw-piers, to remedy which your company has deposited masses of stone, the narrowing and obstructing still further the already too narrow channel.

In view of these facts, it is readily seen that the Bridgeport Bridge should at le be modified to the extent of enlarging the draw to suitable dimensions (I sugg 160 feet), and that the Johnsonville Bridge should have its draw-piers rebuilt, and t draw widened.

It is respectfully desired that your company will favor me with an early reply, er bodying its views upon this matter, with such suggesions as may be deemed per nent thereto, and if any action has been taken or is likely to be taken in the ne future, having in view any modification of either of said bridges, that I may be