Richmond daily times. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1853, 1851-05-26
SURVEY OF JAMES RIVER.
Report OF Hoioard Stansbury, T. S. CioH Engin


OF the examinations and surveys made ia obedience
your orders OF September 81, 1896, directing survey
to be made with a view to The improvement oil the har-
Dor of Richmond.
Upon conerrng with the corporate authorities Of
hatclty, desi was expressed that examination
should be made OF the entire course of James river
from X Richmond TO its mou h. measure prepaYato-
ny 10 Inc presentation to Congress OF the subject Of
opening an uninterrupted communication between
Richmond and the ocean; and they cheertuily
pledged themselves to detray any additional expense
that might be incurred beyond the appropriation made
ny the General Government Tor the survey OF the har
Dor alone Conceiving that compliance with this re-
quest would be in accordance with the spirit OF my G
structons proceeded without delay TO make the exam
nations required. was adedin the discharge Of this
duty by old and experienced pilot, whose Judgment
and integrity had been certified to me by the intei
gent and highly respectable master of the port OF Rich
mond.
The James river is navigable !or ships of six hun
dred ions, and drawing seventeen feet water, far
City Point, about fifty miles below Richmond. YES
sells drawing een 'eet can ascend 10 Warwick with
IN only five miles OF the city; beyond which, owing 20
the distractions in the channel, having draugh
| OF more than ten feet can ascend
The city OF Richmond is situated at the head of tide
Just below The alis OF James river which preclude any
farther navigation OF its waters, except by batteaux-
These can ascend tor two hundred miles, The James
| river and hanawha improvements, through which a
rich and extensive back country pours lis wealth into
that city, terminate here by canal around the ials
The Inland coasiing and foreign trade s already ex
ensve and increasing in Importance and value 1t has,
~ coL'Suo WIN many disadvantages, arising
chiefly from the distractions wch at present impede
The tree navigation OF James river. The removal of
these would operate TO relieve the commercial interest
rom heavy tax which has for long time tended to
oepes It's energies and retard the progress of the city
to that degree OF pospery which, from position and
me wants OF the Surrounding country, it entitled
command.
The nature and extent Of the distractions tooetbrr
with the to be applied for their removal it is the
object OF the present report to point out shall pre-
SEM 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
'hree 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
and south channels. The raised portions of the shoa
are dry at half des, but entirely covered high water
aud, as they lie Immediately at the point where the
north and south channels unite and are eptrelv ron
cealed by the flood tide, their position is liable TO be
mistaken by strange vessels entering the river A
buoy will be necessary to point out their position
About hive miles above the White shoals, reel pro-
ects from Days point on the south, which only requires
to be denoted in the same be easily avoided
From Days point, the direction Of the channel is
nearly east and west for about four miles, when it turns
abruptly 10 the NORTH This spot is denomnated the
Point OF Shoals A reef, or ledge extends out to il
from Mulberry point, the north side of the river
leaving only narrow opening for the north channel-
ms dangerous rect entirely covered high water
out bare at low and half tides. 1t is considered by
the Oldest pilots to be too hazardous attempt TO pass
IN ne night as owing to lis precptous form rising
abruptly from the bottom Of the rver) the lead gives
no warning OF approaching il; the soundings even 10
very few yards OF the edge, indicating depth of thirty
iee Vessels sonnet ines suffer serious detention in con-
sequence The point OF the reef lies directly in the
course that strange vessels in danger being wreck
ed upon 1t even in the day time small light will be
necessary, directly upon the point of the reef to nd-
cate its position. The foundation for such structure il
very SOLD, frm, and compact-he rtef consisting of
conglomerate OF sand and oyster SHE'LL so that no ap
prehensIon need be entertained its stability The
light should be revolving, that vessels coming down the
river may be enabled to distinguish from those in
Hampton Roads, which in sight, and are quite nu-
merous.
On the norh channel, which, being the shortest. s
used almost exclusively by the coastng trade, our buoys
Will be necessary ma rk The two narrow passa ces that
occur at "A, B, c. and D.
Eight miles above the Point of Shoals, two reefs,
termed Lyons Creek shoals and Deep Water shoals
approach from opposite sides of the river, to within
three hundred yards OF each other. A buoy off the
point OF each will be necessary. A buoy will also be
requisite off the point of Hog Island shoals and another
OIL Swans point, opposite jamestown.
Between these Nv o latter and lust below jamestown
occur what are termed the Goose Hill flats !" The
deeper ship channel here pulsues eircuite us course
along the lett bank, whilst that for coasters continues
straight up the river 10 jamestown point; leaving be-
tween them an extensive middle ground to which the
above name Is given. buoy at end of the sloal
will be necessary.
These all the distractions of consequence until
we come to Harrisons bar.
1t consists OF shoa across the north channel of the
river at Berkeley Just opposite Harrisons point about
i've miles below City Point. The river which is here
abort two miles wide is divided for three and half
miles into two channels by extensive middle pround
he south CHANNEL as was informed the spot used
formerly TO be navgated exclusively 1t is crooked and
narrow but affords, with the exception of single shoaI
immediately at the upper entrance and that but for short
distance suihcent water Tor the largest class OF mer.
chant ships From Jordan's point to Oldfeld point,
small mode ground divides this channel into two paris
OF which the inside passage is the deeper but is narrow
and crooked and has its lower end short bar separa
ing from the main channel just of Odheldspoin The
outside passage is wider, but deep, having only
twelve feet water at the lowest tides am inclined ~
the OPINION that the abandonment of the south channel
has been owing not much TO its sinuosy as TO the
difficulty OF entering 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. 10 consequence of this, vessels have
grounded upon it SO frequently to create the opinion
that there was not suthcency OF to allow safe
passage over 1t. In addition 10 this, might be the diff
Guilty of passing at all hines the small bar above
which divides the inside passage from the
main channel opposite Odheds point The whole south
chansel, has been already observed is extremely
narrow, so much SO not afford room for vessel 10
beat up against head wind.
Whatever may have been the causes which have led |
TO the abandonment OF the south channel the northern
one s now exclusively used by shipping. 1t 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 Harrson's bar lies
just below, where deep narrow channe toroinu its
way through an extensive mud flat enters the main |
channel OF the river from Skmmage's creek, and ex-
tends nearly across the latter, leaving very narrow
passage only ON each side OF it, the one afording IL
ieet on the SOUTH the other the north side OF it IA
feet Neither OF these passages exceeds $50 feet in width
whence it is found impossible for vessels 10 keep so ex
acy in the middle OF either OF them as to avoid ground
ing.
The nature of the bottom Of this channel differs from
that OF the south channel which is muddy this consist
ing of close sand and gravel LIS surface is cucumber.
ed throughout with small Jumps or eIeva ions above it's
general level. From the shape and position OF these
rlsings OF the botorn, would that The river here
flows over earhs OF different degrees of density, the
greater portion being softer and lesa capable of resisting
the abrasion OF the current, has been washed awav
leaving here and there noduss which are of a texture
daposites from the sream is wholly to be attributed the
existence OF thu bar in question This idea is further
confirmed by the position Of the bar in reference to The
neghborng paris OF The river Above the point where
the channel OF Skmmage's creek enters the river char