page 147

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In the balancing of interests between the traffic on the river and that across the bridges, it is believed to be fair and just that for boats of excessive size and height the navigation of the river above a 15-foot stage be eliminated from the problem; (1) because of the comparatively small number of these boats; (2) because of the questionable necessity of having such high boats at all; (3) because of the period of the year when these extreme stages are reached; (4) because these periods of time are so limited in length; (5) because of the generally accompanying swift currents, and (6) because of the ofttimes accompanying dangerous floating drift and floating ice.

Towboat and barge passing under low bridge

Closer view of such boats

As to the height of vessels, it is to be noted that the great bulk of navigation under the bridges is not through traffic, but is simply movements about the lower stretch of the river which forms the harbor of Pittsburgh. The commodities moved are nearly all sand, gravel and coal in barges, which loads are almost invariably taken up stream while the downward movement is mostly of empty barges. These barges are mostly moved by harbor tugs. The harbor tugs actually in use are from 22 to 27 feet high, averaging about 24 feet.

The heights of the Monongahela standard towboats vary

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Last modified on 22-Dec 1999
Design format: copyright 1997-1999 Bruce S. Cridlebaugh
Original document: Frederick Law Olmsted, 1910