The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. In the cause of Truth and Justice we strive. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1871.

Westport Times, Volume V, Issue 894, 30 November 1871, Page 2

The Westport Times AND CHARLESTON ARGUS. In the cause of Truth and Justice we strive. THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 30, 1871.

Among all the plans proposed for the protection of the river batik from the scouring effects of floods, the only one that has proved of any avail, or is likely to be permanently instrumental in arresting the destruction, is the deposit of stone along the bank, and the construction of stouo groins. The only matter for regret is that the plan which is now fouul alone to be of any avail had not been adopted years ago, so as to have avoided the vast amount of damage which accrued whilst temporary and perishable protections were being applied. Injustice, however, to those who directed these make-shifts, it must be stated that they themselves urged the necessity for more subtantial works, and had recourse only to others of a less comprehensive and permanent character in order that the largest amount of protection might be temporarily afforded to property-holders, with the means available for the construction of those works. That nature is herself the best teacher has been demonstrated by the successful manner in which the large groin above the upper wharf has resisted the action of the heaviest floods siuce its formation. Of simple construction, the stone in large masses being tipped over the barges that conveyed it down the river, and left to find its own bed, it has proved a thoroughly substantial and immovable work, capable of resisting the action of the river, and of deflecting the current to any extent that may be deemed desirable. Examples of similar groins formed naturally are not wanting in the snow-fed rivers of the West Coast, where tributary streams have deposited during floods vast masses of rock and boulders in the main river, and which subsequent floods have been unable to remove. Protection in this shape having been accomplished, there yet remain considerable portions of the bank exposed to the destroying and constant action of the tide. The banks already scoured away, and left with a perpendicular face by the floods, are being continually destroyed by the action of the swell from the sea, which extends for a considerable di-taueo up the river, and at every flow of the tide by undermining the bank a few feet from the surface dislodges it in masses, which are crumbled away by the action of the current. As it is Wharf street has been so much encroached upon as to render cart: or dray traffic impossible, but a moderate outlay would be the means of conserving the river bank in that direction, and making the thoroughfare once more available for traffic. A breastwork formed by piles and planks, backed with boulders, would widen the thoroughfare, form an enduring edge to the bank, and protect it from the effects of traffic. This might be accomplished at a trifliug cost, and the work is one of urgent necessity.