American watchman and Delaware advertiser. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1822-1828, 1826-01-03
PROPOSED BREaEEaTER.

s"r, hv WILLIAM JosEs, late Secretary of the Navy Of
the United States. To which are added, 'ne report o
the Board of Engineers and Capt banpridse' " VI.
NAVY; the Memorial OF Tue Cnaihper Vi Oo'nhetee v
Philadelphia, &c"
panpbct with the above title has recently issued from
the phladepbia press and we should be glad il VIC could
renubish it entire in our columns. We cannot however,
snare the room that would be required TO do ths but as
the object contemplated is of vast Importance and the sub
ec has been brought before Congress- we must content
ourselves with extracting The most interesting portions OF
the pamphlet.
Extracts from .ur. JoHEs' Remdrss.
1.-THE merchants and traders OF Philadelphia had,
for long time prior to the year 1929, felt severely
HE want of shelter from drifting ice and storms
near the entrance Of the Delaware Bay, but as Con-
gress had been exceedingly scrupulous in regard to
The principle and parsmonious in the app opra-
lion OF money, for tie erection aod maintenance OF
Piers, although the greater part OF those IN the
Delaware had been coded by Pennsylvania TO the
United States together with the appropriate revenue
Tor their support the application 20 that body Tor
the establishment Of Piers near Cape Henopen
was deferred, from the apprehended want OF sue
cess until repeated disasters, and the ruinous neces
sity of bearinr up for another port there to dis
charge or await the return OF mid weather, induced
the Chamber OF Commerce to petition Congress or
and filled in with stone, the tail Of the shoal ca
led the Shears near Cape Henlopen. For these,
at the request OF their committee, furnished az
estimate and in March, 1922, an appropriation
was made of upwards Of 20 600 dollars TO take
effect, if upon survey had the Secretary OF the
Treasury should be satisfied as to the eligibility Of
the plan. stated at the time my conviction that
either by the force Of The surge, or petoration by
The worms, Piers SO constructed would soon be de
molished; and SO the surveyors appointed under
the authority Of the Secretary reported, and this
feature Of the plan was therefore abandoned
had, in the mean time, suggested the plan ofsub
stituling section OF Stone Breakwaier, TO the ex
tent Of the appropriation, so as to form nucleus,
from which it might be gradually extended until a
secure and capacious harbour should be formed
y ith this view, furnished design and estimates
which are recorded on the minutes Of the Chamber
OF Commerce, and immediate application was n.adt
10 the government to adopt the substitute, and di
rect regular scientific survey to be made, for
the purpose OF carrying il into effect The exeeu
tive very promptly constituted the board of United
States Engineers, and Captain cambridge Of the
navy, commission 10 survey and report there
on
The complete success and astonishing effect OF
that s,upcndous and noble structure, the Plymouth
Breakwater, which had converted :" that grave Of
The British navy Gas Earle Howe rtdieted PLY
mouth Sound would one day bccone,) into Sc.
cure harbor, where French 6 three decker" and
numerous merchantmen, were saved from impend
ing destruction under the lee OF he Breakwater,
ere half its extent had been raised to low water
mark, had echoed its f,me upon our shores, and OK
cited s,rong desire Tor ha5bor Of that nature at
Cape Henlopen, where, from the more favorable
position and natural advantages Of the SITE Sc
cure harbor both against ice and storms, may be
constructed with great comparative facility and
economy Lbs Chamber of Commerce, therefore
earnestly memsraized Congress to carry into tff-c:
the recommendation of the United States comnis.
sion, 10 their report and plan tor the construction Of
complete harbor, by means Of Stone Breakwa
ter, near the pitch Of Cape Henopen; The estimate
Of the expense thereof being 2,336,627 dollars.
Should this expenditure be deemed too great, the
commission recommend The construction of par
tial Breakwaer on the Shears as designated in their
plan and report, the estimated expense whereof is
222,50 dollars
ii we contrast the expense merely, the balance
will De greatly in favor Of he latter, but we com
pare their relative utility and effect the difference
in cost sinks into insignifcance
The site will form perfect habor against
Ice, as well as storms, from which ships may erlerge
directly into the open ocean, by day or nis ht Wth
the FIRST favorable wind, and 10 like manner NAV,
from either outlet Of the Breakwater, proceed IN
the bay in the fair open channel way, While an.
chored in the harbor, u der the lee Of the Break
water on one side, and the Cape on the other. let
he winds blow as they list. free communication
with the main. within mile Of Iewistown, NAV
at all times be had, where supplies may be obtained
intelligence received and transmitted by mail, and
eonveyances Tor passengers procured. By the d.
rection OF the Lighthouse on the Hill and the Bea
con light on the beach, az the pitch of the Cape,
ships may enter With ease and safety without pilots
at any time OF day or night, where they may be
instantly had if required, this harbor will be-
come their most convenient station, and constant
rendezvous.
When we examine the extended line OF stormy
coast from Sandy Hook to Cape Henry, studded
with dangerous shoals, and destitute of single har
oour to which vessel under stress Of weather NAV