Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1853-04-15
professo,. Bachc's lecture.

accurate and reliable synopsis Oh TIE "ole anu '''0
in Lecture delivered at the Methodist Church on
wednesday night last by Prof Bache We feel
that for doing SO, to the exclusion OF some other
p,atters no excuse is needed since there is no SUD-
iect which does or should at present possess high
er interest for the people of Wilmington, and no
Heher authority could be obtained than that OF the
Distinguished head of the U. S. Coast Survey.
rat Baebe commenced his lecture by general description
coast of North Carolina, and of the several nlets lying
uader the protection its Capes and the shoals PROJECTING
RON them and alluded briefly their changes The Cape
Fear inlet though protected by the Cape, and by extensive
shoals (he Frying Pan shoas had in consequence Oh 'he
opening of New Inlet shoaed from before the beginning o
the present century, and such rate that now there was
two half feet less water the Main Bar at high water
than there had been in 1877 low water; there was
twelve feet on at high water where there had formerly been
fourteen aud half low. The Cape Fear entrance was IN
onditon of rapid deterioration, and hence the Importance
and indeed the urgent necessity immediate action 70 en-
avo to arrest the Natural were at work which
must be couneracted the inlet would become 100 Sh "
meet the demands of commerce.
The Importance this inlet, in national or general point
of view was explained harbor of refuge, and as harbo
Of supply for the small naval steamers and for those
of the mercantile mane from the immense deposes on the
head waters of the Cape Fear To accommodate the larger
coapg trade depth of fifteen to eighteen feet on the Bar
is necessary.
To Wilmington this outlet its of vital I'M
porance Close this outlet and of what avail Will be the
large expenditure amounting to Millions on rail- roaos 70
bring produce of twentyegh counties OF this state ana
of several South Carolina to the wharves OF wilmington
OF what avail to open Coal Mines if the products cannot
be sent to market Limit the exit to New Inlet alone and
the eapacy commercial increase will soon be reached
The eoastwse trade of Wilmington estimated at four
millions dollars and the foreign exports of half million,
must inevitably dwnde away. Of twentyeght vessels at
the wharves when the commission the improvement of the
entrance met in Wilmington in December last four were
baroues and fourteen briggs With decrease of the depth
of water these replaced by shoones and the larger
schooners by lighter draugh and these being una
bic to compete coasng vessels of greater draughs and
therefore transporting with greater the commerce
of Wilmington undoubtedly rerogrado. large por-
ton of the State interested well Wilmington in
resting such calamtous state of things.
Prof Bache next described By reference to maps prepared
by the Coast Survey the present condition of the Main chan
nell the rip or Western channel the New Inlet In 1851
the depth the Main Bar feet on the bulk head OF
the Western channel feet and at New Inlet Bar feet
Between 1851 and 1852 Main Bar has shoacd nearly nine
inches Reference made in complimentary terms to the
labors of Lieut. Matt of Mr.. Boes. and Mr.. Grego
making these surveys Cape Fear entrance was shown
from Moseys Map 1888 passing directly out to through
an opening of less than three quarters of mile wide the
the direct and not winding the depth
Main Bar 10 feet at high water. Where New Inlet
now is there then sand beach nearly mile in width
BY reference Joshua Potts Map of 1884, (o which Prof
acknowledged his indebtedness to r. W. Brown ESQ.,
the pioneer in the Cape Fear Improvement motion of the
Ma bar towards the land shown, the New Inlet
opened but the passages between the two islands north of
Smiths Island did exist and the inlet comparatively
shoa it. probable the sounding Potts Map
fer in all cases to high water.
table shown containing summary of the observed
depths on the Main channel Western channel and the
New Inlet Bars from which the deductions drawn l
That the observations enough to show that the
combined depths had always been from twenty to
feet and of COURSE the which escaped through New
Inetwas the Main Bar I'd. That the depths the
Western Bar had always been variable Incidentally the
differences explained between this channel and MoettS
channel in Charleston which commission had proposed to
open dredging the bulk head at its inner entrance The
question of the action of the etty the depth of the West
channel also discussed, and diagram, showing the
shore line of Oak Island by accurate survey before the Fort
constructed and annually after the construction of the
eys commenced referred proving that the
sent shore line several hundred feet inside Of that of 1920
The effect of permitting the washing away of Oak Island
shown to be the inevitable destruction of the Western
channel The ettys altered the position but not the depth Of
the channel and, until constructed of sufficient
length reach the middle ground such must continue to be
the Sd The depth the Main Bar has steadily de-
eacd though irregular rate since the opening of the
New Inlet The commission the Cape Fear improvement
end avored ascertain the date of the opening of that
let and have fixed it at about 1880 at first very
aoal The shoaling of the Main Bar two
to $780, and foot in ten years to 1850. Unless by
changes in the physical operating
this shoalng must go 4th More water pass
es out eff New Inlet than formerly, as shown
by the SUN of the depths of the Main Western
being less than formerly 9Th. Bald Head is rapidly
wearing away The stone Jetys the opposite shore pro
bully increase the of the Bald Head side. 9th The
middle ground hoal between the main and channel
very much increased and the dry at low water ha
extended It'll. The southern side of Smiths Island
alb aided by the waves and furnishes the fine sand of whc
the Main Bar composed. 7th New Inlet is undeed b.
rock pronounced by PrO Agassey and Holmes to belong
the newest tertiary On this fine sand is thrown and
and fro by the waves forcing the Bar nwards in Nor
Eastery gales. and diminishing the depth it-carryng
outward by Southwardly winds and increasing the depth
Prof Bache then read the conclusions of Commission
Omposed of Lieut. Davis of the Navy of Maj Stevens
Lieut. Woodbury. of the Corps of Engineers and of himself
remarkng the constitution of the Commission
peculiar adapedness of the Engineer officer selected by
Department for executing the work.
The principles laid down by the Commission to al
tempt work which, if should fall would njure nay
CATION, butt on the contrary only such would do
good separately and collectively they poduc
the whole effect desired To attempt by gradual steps h
restoration of the shore line previous to $780,
nearly possible, expecting obtain again the twenty
high water nearly that DEPTH then existing upon tn
Main Bar The details of the works should the OF
sevaon and experience of the local Engineers who shout
not be changed during their progress
The works proposed were, ls Jettys for protecting tn
North and South sides of Bald Head and preventing fuhe
wear there Fences and the sowing of grass the
ton of the sand the point subsidiaries The estim;
ted cost forty thousand dollars. 3D. The closing of the
openings between Zeeks Island and Smiths Island