eedz, (1820-1887), an American engineer, born at Lawrenceburg, Ind. At an early age he went to Saint Louis and became a clerk on a steamboat. By the time of the Civil War he had become famous as an authority on all matters relating to the navigation of the Mississippi and was asked by President Lincoln for his advice in regard to the practicability of a fleet of gunboats on the Mississippi and other western rivers. The fleet was built and these boats rendered valuable service to the government, and it was with them that Fort Henry was captured in 1862. Eads's next work of importance was the designing and constructing of the famous Eads Bridge over the Mississippi River, connecting Saint Louis and East Saint Louis. It is considered one of the finest bridges in the world. Following this was his construction of the jetties at the mouth of the Mississippi, by which the channel of the river was kept clear to a depth sufficient to permit the navigation of the largest ocean-going vessels. This was a new departure in American engineering and met with disfavor at first, but Mr. Eads's faith in his plan was so great that he offered to build the jetties at his own expense upon the condition that should they be satisfactory he should receive a large sum for the work. Eads was a promoter of many improvements along the Mississippi River. He engaged in extensive engineering operations at home and abroad. He was the first American to receive the Albert medal, conferred by the British Society for the Encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce. See JETTY.