Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1854-04-14
For the Journal
Cane Fear Bar-No. 3.

MEssRs EDITORS 1t is we'll known fact, as the
older portion of our citizens can inform you, that be-
fore New Inlet broke through to the extent of being
a deep channel, the water on the Main Bar was new
er less lat high tide) than 81 feet, and improve
ment by way OF combining the water to narrow
channel had been made.
1t is now proposed-and part OF the work has
been accomplished--to confne the water-course be-
tween Fort Caswell and Bald Head Light House TO
certain defined limts--the shores to be protected by
iettees, in such manner that the tide must flow and
ebb without making the waterway any 1Uider; and
of course, if succeed in closing up the Inlet so
that all the water of the Cape Fear River. including
the ebb and flow of the tide, is made, as formerly
over the Main Bar, it must make it much deeper In
fact, there can be no doubt in the mind of any one
that this will be the result; and 10 the extent of
twenty feet, at least
Now, as to che possibility and probability of clos
ing the Inlet have not the slightest doubt. Profess
sor Bache estimates that it will cost $3.50 ,00O I
should think this very large estimate, but it is SAFE
and therefore let il stand. If Congress will pass the
present bill of $20o,O0O. there will be no further
difficulty about the matter. of the opinion that
the Inlet will be closed before the appropriation is
exhausted.
| would suggest the method of closing this chan.
mel by timber and stone. Build strong iettees on
either shore of timber, heavily loaded with stone
until the channel is reduced in width to some 800 feet
then. by means of pens of heavy timber loaded with
stone to be sunk at low tide where thew are reouir
|
tween the work-and complete the filling with stone
until the current ceases to make through the pass
and. in a short time sand will accumulate and cover
the whole pile. Then, by judicious planting of
grass and shrubbery along the beach, the sand may
| be raised to any required height
If any of your readers doubt this, would recon
mend them to visit Oak Island and see the banks OF
sand there accumulated simply by the tufts of grass
holding the sand, and growing higher and higher as
the sand rises, until hills are formed.
| oh fof
are certain to do If the appropriation is made-what
will there be to prevent the establishment OF Naval
Depot (for our Steam Navy at Smithville where
your Deep River coal, iron and copper be
dumped 4" from the cars-the that will run
from the Mines to the wharf.
That Railroad will be constructed from the Yad-
kin to the coast, with connection to the Coal
Mines, there is no doubt. Get charter, let the
Counties along the line subscribe literally, and you
will find capital enough to build this road, in three
years, possibly less But We must work; we shall
never do it by talking; must act we must arouse
ourselves to Immediate and energetic action. Our
Fayetteville friends must work they must not sub
scribe to the Railroads for the purpose of making
investment, but to increase the Uatue Of their property!
That is the only view to take of Railroad building
Although they will, in few years, pay handsome
profit, say to Is per cent, that is not the prnc-
pie that should govern in subscribing to the Stock of
Railroads. Every property holder should feel bound
to aid in building the Road to bring him Market
and thereby to double quadruple the value of his
property.
trust there will be no lack of energy on the part
of friends West in aiding in this series of in.
ternal Improvements. Let our Railroad whistles be
heard on the banks of the Yadkn before the N. c..
Railroad reaches Salisbury! Tho that is North
Carolina work that We glad to see go ahead, let
us work Also and let urge our Delegation in Con-
gress press the 5000 900 bill through the House
/ Arouse come up to the work like men J!
HARNET.