1MPR0YE5IENT OF MOUTH OF MISSISSIPPI RIVER. 91 



success, in improving tiie Delta. The method applied has been a 

 peculiar kind of dredging. Boats of considerable power were pro- 

 vided with a movable propeller, which could be lowered to the 

 required depth. The boat was run down stream into the bar, the 

 excavator was agitated, and the alluvion was given to the current. 

 This process most naturally required constant repetition, but on 

 the v/hole was not of sufficient capacity to satisfy commerce. I 

 am reliably informed that the depth of water maintained in the 

 Southwest Pass at present varies from fourteen to eighteen feet^ 

 rarely, however, less than sixteen feet. But that, on account of 

 this lack of sufficient water, many of the larger sailing vessels and 

 steamboats have been withdrawn from the trade, and my informant 

 says: ''I believe that one German line has been discontinued on 

 account of the difficulties, dangers, and delays at the mouth of the- 

 Mississippi." 



Now, when we consider the foregoing, together with the fact 

 that for the past twelve months the port of New Orleans reports a 

 total export in cotton, tobacco, grain in bulk, sugar, and sundries 

 of §100,000,000, and total imports, foreign and coastwise, of 

 860,000,000, notwithstanding the many drawbacks, w^e no longer 

 "wonder that the nation calls for improvements. 



Now, the question arises, as to the kind and extent of improve- 

 ment to satisfy the requirements of commerce. Although the 

 Government, with an annual expenditure of about $100,000, has 

 failed to maintain a reliable IS-feet channel, while commerce de- 

 mands at least 24 feet, still the problem is one that must and can be 

 solved. There are however other difficulties of a local nature 

 which I would wish to exhibit. Captain C. H. Howell, of the 

 Corps of Engineers, makes the following statement in his report 

 for the fiscal year ending June 30, 1873: 



"Even the popular prejudice against dredging has been over- 

 come, and the people of New Orleans most interested to-day ac- 

 knowledge the good done. So far, so well; but there is a powerful 

 monopoly, known as the Tow-boat Association, domiciled in New 

 Orleans, controlling its commerce, opposed to the improvement of 

 the channels across the bars at the mouth of the Mississippi, and 

 having in its power at an}"- time to render valueless any improve- 

 ment attempted. This association has, time and again, willfully 



