Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-05-28
SURVEY OF JAMES RIVER,


SURVEY OF JAMES RIVER.
Report of Hopard Stansbury, u. s. Ciul Engineer,
WAsH1NGToN, Jan. Is, 1887.
Sir:-I have the honor herewith to submit the results
your orders of September 81. 1885, directing survey
to be made with view to the improvement OF the har-
Dor OF Richmond.
Upon comforting with the corporate authorities of
that city, desi expressed that an examination
should be made OF the entire course of James river
from Richmond to its mouth, measure prepatato.
ny to the presentation to Congress OF the subject of
opening an uninterrupted communication between
Richmond and the ocean; and they cheerfully
pledged themselves to defray any additional expense
that nigh be incurred beyond the appropriation made
by the General Government for the survey of the har
Dor alone. Conceving that compliance with this re-
quest would be in accordance with the spirit OF my in
strucons proceeded without delay to make the exam
nations required. was aided in the discharge OF this
duty by old and experienced pilot, whose Judgment
and integrity had been Certified me by the nte-
gent and highly respectable master of the port of c-
mond.
The James river is navgable for ships of six hun
bred tons. and drawing seventeen feet water far as
City Point, about fifty miles below Richmond. YES
sells drawing fifteen feet can ascend to Warwick with
in only five miles of the city; beyond which, owing 10
the obstrucons in the channel none having draught
otmore than ten feet ascend.
The city OF Richmond is situated at the head OF tide
Just below the falls OF James river, which preclude any
further navigation OF its waters, except by batteaux-
These can ascend for two hundred miles. The James
| river and kanawha improvements, through which a
rich and extensive back country pours It's wealth into
that city terminate here, by canal around the tas-
The inland coasng, and foreign trade is already ex-
tensve and increasing in Importance and value. 1t has,
however, to contend with many disadvantages arising
e en-, ny from the Instructions wlc at present impede
these would operate to relieve the commercial interest
from heavy tax, which has for long time tended to
depress its energies, and retard the progress OF the city
Mt
the wants OF the surrounding country, it is entitled
command.
The nature and extent of the distractions together
with the means to be applied for their removal it the
object OF the present report point out shall pre-
sent them IN detail, commencing at the mouth of the
river.
The first obstruction which presents ITSELF after en-
terng the river is the white Shoals" These are The
three elevations, at the lower end OF OF an extensive
shoa which divides the current Of the river above for
many miles, into two parts, distinguished as the north
are dry at half tides, but entirely at high water;
| and, es they lie Immediately at the point where the
north and south channels unite, and are entirely con-
cealed by the flood tide their position is liable 10 be-
mistaken by strange vessels entering the river. A
buoy will be necessary to point their position
About five miles above the White shoals reef pro-
lects from Days point the SOUTH which only requires
to be denoted in the same manner to be easily avoided
From Days point the direction OF the channel is
nearly east and west Tor about four miles, when turns
abruptly TO the north. This spot is denomina,ed the
from Mulberry point, on the north side of the river
leaving only narrow opening for the north channel
This dangerous rect entirely covered at high ter,
the Oldest pilots to be too hazardous to attempt to pass
il in The night, as owing to it's preepitous form (rsng
abruptly from the bottom Of the riyer the lead gives
| no warning OF approaching il; the soundngs, even to
very few yards OF the edge indicating depth OF thirty
feet. Vessels sometimes suffer serious detention in con-
sequence. The point of the reef lies SO directly in the
COURSE that strange vessels in danger obeing wreck
~ Y,o dos Il My
necessary directly upon the Point St e ree to ind
cate its position The foundation for such structure is
very solid, firm, and compact-the reef consisting of
congloperate of sand and oyster SHE'LL SO that no ap-
prehenson need be entertained 10 Its stability. The
light SHOULD be revolving, that vessels coming down the
river may be enabled to distinguish it from those in
Hampton Roads which are in sight, and quite nu-
merous.
On the north channel, which, being the shortest, is
used almost exclusively by the coastng trade, four buoys
will be necessary 10 mark the two passages that
| occur at A, b, Z, and ID.
Eight miles above the Point OF Shoals, two reefs,
termed Lyons Creek shoals, and Deep Water shoals.
approach from opposite sides OF the river, within
three hundred yards OF each other. A buoy off the
point OF each will be necessary. buoy will also he
requisite off the point OF Hog Island shoals aud another
off Swans point, opposite jamestown.
Between these two latter, and just below jamestown,
occur what are termed the Goose Hill flats" The
deeper or ship channel here pursues crcuitous
along the lett bank, whilst that for coasters continues
straight up the river, to jamestown point leaving be-
tween them an extensive middle ground, to which the
above name is given buoy at each end of the shoal
These are all the distractions OF consequence until
we come to Harrison's bar.
1t consists OF hoa across the north channel of The
river at Berk ley just opposite Harrisons point about
five miles below City Point. The river, which is here
about two miles wide, is divided for three and half
miles into two channels by an extensive middle ground
The south channel as was informed on the spot used
formerly to be navgaied exclusively. 1t is crooked and
narrow, but affords with the exception of single sho,
Immediately at the upper enranceand that but for short
distance, sufficient tor the largest class of mer
chant ships. From Jordan's point TO Oldheld point a
small middle ground divides this channel into two parts
oil which the inside passage the deeper but is narrow
and crooked and has tits lower end short bar separat
ing it from tine main channel just of Oldtiedspont The
outside passage is WIDER but not SO Deep having only
twelve ieet water at the lowest tides. am inclined to
the opinion, that the abandonment OF the south channel
has been owing not so much to its snuosity to the
difficulty OF entering it from above and ignorance of
the existence or at least precise position, of the
small middle ground which divides the upper part into
two passages. In consequence OF this, vessels have
grounded upon so frequently, to create he opinion
that there was not sucency OF water to allow safe
passage over it. In addition this, might be the diff
Guilty Of passing at all lines over the small bar above
which divides the inside passage from the
main channel opposite Odelds point The whole south
chansel, has been already observed, is extremely
narrow, much not to afford room for vessel
beat up against head wind.
Whatever may have been the causes which have led
10 the abandonment OF the south channel, the northern
one is now exclusively used by shipping. II is much
WIDER is at all times perfectly accessible and affords
ample room to work ship. The only objection to it |
consists in the bar which lies across it opposite Harm
sons point. The obstruction called Harrsons bar lies
just below, where deep narrow channel forcing its
way through an extensive mud flat enters the main
channel of the river from Skmmage's creek, and ex-