Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1856-02-29

The average Fishing Station quite three
OF gOt while f at SmP below the the
three hours and quarter at the upper station The mpor
from these results VIII be more apparent from
shell islands Oyster Rocks prevent the tide in
that the anomalous character the tides due the Winds
and lastly that the tide upon the falls foot below
and rises nearly three feet above the surface Of water above
The practical inference deducble the last is that
the tidal capacity of the estuary of Aew River the
supply by amount sufficient to ebb for hours through
channel three thousand two hundred feet wide and twelve
deep The theoretical depth upon the bar
deductions for friction, resistance the stroke &C.
should be &c feet at low waters This conclusion leads
the principle specially applicable improve
the Bar. viz An increase in the tidal supply
The character of the formation Of the shell islands also
leads to facts equally important in their relation to the plan
appears difficult at first glance to discover any law
order in the dispositions of these islands They may be
generally, half tide appearing aboye the surface of
the water The shells which compose them in different
stages dsntegration The slope is occupied by the ne
rioT species of Raccoon Oyster This oyster is cause of
constant disturbance to the Preerng sater
stream and between the high and low surfaces.
The shell islands in length from 30 to 1900 feet The
upper surface of the ledge composed of the perfect
SHE'LL is feet in width. BOrings made depth
feet showing shells in state of communion, which in
creased with the depth This pulverization evidently the
result OF wave action still in progress In turning the
surface concenric parallel arrangement observable
corresponding with the principal of the shoals BY
the longest sweep VIZ the n " WINDS down the % river AND
quarters the heaviest wave-strok in obedience to
which the small concreons of dead oyster shells hcaped
ridges perpendicular to the direction OF its force Mod
cations of this form attributed to the cdde and
and to the increase of EPccoon Oyster conform
able to the laws of its growth.
The channel at this point very Irregular disturbed by
eddes and whiris having at depth of les than
q feet The oyster rocks are, i'll fact, series jees,
and furnish the strongest argument against the nudcous
of that structure.
The serious obsrucons navigation occur at this
point Vessels often detained for than week. and
obliged to transfer part of their cargoes before they
pass the impediments.
The bottom presents great difficulty to dredging by
steam power sand hoal has formed at the confluence of
of the marsh has diverted the flood into this
At this point the river suddenly contracts finding its way by
winding channel 3OO feet IN width through large aluvia
recent deposit caused in part by the since the
river began to flow within its present boundaries Having
all the pecuaes of delta formation it exhibits the
anasomsng character in with blind coves remarka
bly, analogous to the great delta of the Mississippi The
channels through appear to have attained fixed regimen
notwithstanding the yielding nature of its banks honey
combed by the sodiers crab Borngs were taken which
depth of IL feet, supposed be Of she'll limestone
remarkable change has taken place at the mouth of the
river since the survey of Lieut. Mat in 1851 The channel
of that date has closed and opened to the north
and east of Wrght's Island Another change, of greater
Importance, may be expected The has begun wear
passage for itself through this island Serious obstruction
may result from this
We to the consideration OF the Bar. The
my weather before and after Christmas compelled the ren
quishment Of our Investigations. The important OBJ
servatons were taken after disbanding the party.
1t will be observed that the river ebouces upon open
coast exposed all the fury waves from
the Southern quarters 1t has aso the disadvantage of
at the middle of coast which has Cape Lookout
and Cape Fear for its two extremees with
gtta of less than 5 its chord The tide running up
the long Atlantic SLOPE reaches the mouth of the river with
head of to feet and greatly diminished velocity. AL
though counter flow to the gulf might be inferred
was unable discover toral current, the predominant
force being with the tide perpendicular trend
the The variable character OF the qucksand bar
we'll known not only changing with every wind but
from the southern points of the compass. bar bese
noh-
staces ameoraton of its condition Much can be done
by strict conformity to well established principles The
existence of such difficulty due the equilibrium of
tain forces Careful determination of the value of these
forces will enable US to estimate the amount of disturbing
influence necessary to bring about equilibrium which
will give greater depth water 1t has been observed that
when head of water has been accumulated the
winds that the bar afterwards dredged out by the
increased scourage and had the satisfaction of witnessing
the effect produced by the land swollen by the
rains These facts show the Importance previous
ment that there large tidal capacity unsupped by the
ocean, which might be made available giving greater
depth upon the bar The passage of the tide should
therefore, be freed from all hnderances and
tioa by the of shoals and saens
of uniform water section and by training the
succession of gentle The fundamental idea plan
adapted to the special requirements of the case
the tidal supply The characteristic features Of the coast
am pleased to have the concurrence of Lieut.. Maj
fit in this statement, who arrived the conclusion
from comparative data.