|
Salines of Jackson's Creek |
|
Clark Co. Ala. Dec. 25th 1862 |
| |
| Col. J. F. Gilmer |
| Chief of Engineer Bureau |
| Richmond Va. |
| |
| Colonel, |
| In compliance with your letter of
instructions of the 11th inst. I have made a hasty examination of the
salines of this region in company with Professor Thomassy. I will
endeavor to give the particulars of my examination as nearly as possible
in the order observed in your instructions. |
| 1st The supply of water has not apparently diminished
in the wills first bored, while the number of wells in close proximity
has been increased to more than twenty. The quantity of water now
supplied is not less than 150,000 galls per day. No other evidences of a
large supply can be adduced. |
| The best method of obtaining the water is
by boring and tubing the bore. Owing to the want of tubes, the brine in
some of the wells is evidently weakened by filtration of fresh water.
The wells will average 200 feet in depth, and no advantage has been
obtained thus far by a greater depth. The cost of boring will be $2 per
foot. The cost of tubes will now be large compared with prices before
the war. I suppose .75 cts per foot will be a full estimate. |
| The percentage of the brine ??? in the
different wells from 2 to 3.20, the average being about 3. Sea water
varies from 3 to 3.50. By protecting the bore from filtration, I think a
percentage of 3.50 may be obtained. |
| 2d The topographical features of the ground are well
adapted to the place which Professor Thomassy proposes. The portion
available for his purpose of what is known as "the reservation" covers
about 50 acres. By purchase from private parties of contiguous lands he
may increase the available ground to nearly one hundred acres. This area
is elevated on average of about 15 feet above the bottom or swamp of
Jackson's Creek, which skirts the tract on the south west. The tract of
50 acres first mentioned has one depression extending from the creek
bottom, and gradually losing itself in the contiguous track. In the
other tract, a similar depression is found The Professor thinks these
advantages in disposing of the rain water {appears
a line is missing} I enclose herewith a rough sketch of the
tract. |
| The soil is clay, with a slight admixture
of sand on and near the surface. I think it will adapted to retaining
water. |
| The greater portion say four fifths of the
ground before mentioned can be made available for evaporating basins if
I have comprehended the plan of Professor Thomassy. To make a
considerable area say 10 acres in one perfectly level basin would
require the removal of three feet in depth over some portion of the
area. The plan described to me is a series of smaller areas with
sufficient difference of level to cause the water to flow freely from
the higher to the lower. This will cheapen the cost of preparing the
basins which I think may be completed for 350.00 per acre including the
enclosing embankments. To this will be added the cost of flood gates and
the covering of the interior slope of the embankment enclosing the
chrystabalizing basin with boards. |
| 3d The facility for transporting salt is
confined to the Tombigbee river. This is navigable for a moderate size
of steamboats in all seasons. The distance of wagon transportation from
the Salines to the river is 2 1/2 miles. The country around the Salines
is "Piney woods" and supplies of provisions and forage could not be
riled on from this source. Supplies must be brought from other portions
of the state by river transportation. |
| 4th Iron tubing is not indispensable in boring the
wells. Some of the wells are protected to the first hard stratum, being
16 to 25 feet below the surface, by a bored pine log. This prevents
filtration near the surface. "Wooden boxing" cannot be employed. |
| To work four pumps attached to the same
number of wells will require an engine of 25 horse power. It would
perhaps be prudent to increase the power to 30 horses. The pumps should
have about six inches bore, and the full stroke of about four feet
combining lifting and forcing principles. At this time the whole
machinery, erected in working condition would hardly cost less than
$25,000. I do not know where this machinery can be procured. |
| 5th Not having access to the necessary statistics I am
unable to institute a comparison as to the average fall of rain in this
region, and "localities bordering on the Mediterranean Sea." From
personal observation and information derived from intelligent planters I
am satisfied that the fall of rain between the 1st of April and the 1st
of October (which would be the salt making season) on the Professor's
plan) varies widely in different years. In what would be denominated
here a dry summer, similar to that of the present year, the plan of
solar evaporation would doubtless succeed in making salt economically,
while a wet summer would probably rener the plan of little avail. |
| These suggestions are made with a due
sense of my ignorance of the subject. |
| Very Respectfully |
| L. P. Grant |
| Capt. Engs P. A. |