Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1857-01-23


adherence, and which is wholly repugnant 10 the
tolerant and enighted spirit OF our institutions and
of the age in which we live. There is no error.
Judgment affirmed.
Re-survey the Cape Fear Bar and Inlets---
Lieut.. NIafits Report.
U. S. SCHR. CRAWFORD,
Charleston. Dec 10, 1856.
Sir herewith enclose tracing, showing the re-
suit of the re examination of the Cape Fear Bar,
made in accordance with your instructions of Sep
ember last. From comparison of the present sur
vey with that of 1851 it would appear that the pro-
gressive deterioration of this Bar, within the period
of five years included within the recent and previous
examination by the Coast survey and for an interval
prior, as derived from other authority has at length
reached such point, that, for all essential purposes
of navigation, the Old Main Bar channel has ceased
10 exist.
The 18 feet curve from abreast of Bald Had Point
extends $50 yards less TO seward than it did i'll 1851
The u feet curve has contracted in he direc
ton Sc yards. The Fingers have become connected
with Marshall's Shoal and where in 1851 there was
9, 10 and / feet in the channel, but S. and feet
at present, can be obtained al mean low water. On
spring lides and with north-weserly wind, this old
channel is in many places awash. This entire To-
calily has undergone total change, and the accumu
lalion of sand is great, that in all probability, with
the continuance of existing causes, the channel WILL
not resume, entire y the former passage way to sea-
The deterioration of this Bar is, by the pilots and
Others enormously attributed to the construction
OF the Bald Head ettees, whereas their erection has
already supplied most important desideratum for
protecting this important locality. So long turn
ing point like Bald Head, is subject 10 the abrasion
OF the current, and the consequent transportation OF
its sand to different parts Of the channel, there can
be no PermanenCy in it's direction or capacity. The
security of this point will, undoubtedly, in time, en-
sure the opening of better and direct chan
mel In fact, such are the present Indications,
as the pocket slue, which attracted your atten-
ton in 1882, has improved, and now manltests stlll
greater tendency to communicate freely with the
ocean. If | might hazard suggestion, it would be
decidedly in favor of the immediate prolOngatlon OF
the western Bald Head Jettee, with a view of restor-
ing the ancient limits of that point and DETECTING the
ebb current, through what appears more natural
channel, such as is exhibited by Wimble's chart OF
1888. The closing of New Inlet would of course,
be an important auxiliary. | incline to the opinion
that the present condition of the Main Bar, may be
in part accounted for by the rapid washing away Of
Bald Head Point thereby chang the direction OF
the channel more to the eastward and the ebb cur
rent fre GIFTED with sand has, at certain points, Ohe
Fingers for nsance,) encountered current,
which, after an easterly blow, is very rapid 10 the
westward, over Frying Pan Shoals At this point OF
meeting the ebb is exhausted, and the deposit occurs.
Of course the greater the abrasion at Bald Head, the
greater the DETECTION of the channel from its natural
course, the the tidal current would be difused,
and consequently the less would be its securing
power.
The pocket, or slue, has made seward, and as it
demonstrates through the nGrr01Cest part of the Bar
an opening here would seem 10 give promise of a
good and safe channel-such existed in the same
place in 1888, prior to the opening of New Inlet and
wearing away of Bald Head. The farther extension
of the Jettees towards this opening would, unques
onaby, ensure the result desired. 1t is certain that
no injury can be oceasoned to the Bar by the expert
ment proposed.
The valuable commerce of Wilmington, and intel
| that 0ir with lar1 nd
wealthy section # the State, demand that prompt
attention be given to the improvement of the Cape
Fear entrance.
The Coast Survey chart of 1852 gives the following
differences the old Bar, compared with the pre-
sent examination The Is feet curve has contracted
seward 400 yards the II feet curve in the same di
rection yards, and in the channel way for instance
where the outer buoys were located with 7, 8, ant
10 feet between lhem but S, and feet no10 exls
at mean low water, which change as compared Will
the chart of 1851, shows the deterioration to be pro
gresSive, but irregular.
The sIue in 1851, had a mean depth of six feet
and the distance from its inner feet curve to it,
outer feet curve was 1884 yards The IL feet curve
(Outer and Inner were then separated by distance
of l, $50 yards. In 1852 evident improvement hat
commenced, will be observed, from the fact tina
the distance between the inner and outer feet
was but 405 yards, difference at in its favc
of $50 yards, reference to this particular curve
6 feet The II feet curve had not changed as show
| by cOmparlsOr of the charts OF 1891 and 1852.
will be seen by the present chart 1850 that thu
sIue has continued to amproUe, in general capacity
since 1852 the distance between the outer and lnne
siA feet curves being, now only 2l4 yards and tn
II feet curves separated by only 984 yards, CIV
ing thus an extension of the water passage seward
considerable Importance Keepers shoal, on its eas
side is generally bare at low water 1t assists IN con
fnng the ebb current to its work of dredging out tn
slue and serves at the same time as breakWate
against the influence of heavy easterly waves, tn
{" Middle Ground affording the same facilities o.
the west side As the direction of this anticipate
outlet over the narrOwest part of the Bar, is not
positive opposition 10 the coast ebb and flood current
deposit such as has occurred in the old main chan
nell could not reasonably be anticipated, fer the IN
creased capacity of the ebb current by the closing
New Inlet, and all the dredging resources of tn
river, thus concentrated, would as natural conse
quence, force the entire Bar further seward int
deeper wafer.
The Western Channel has undergone but lttl
change. Its present capacity is 10 feet at mean loV
water. On the Rip, there is depth of feet bu
lis fluctuations in direction and depth are very ire
quent Changes occur almost monthly The Rip i
particularly subject to the influence of Soulher.
gales. The Pilots are forced 10 give constant aten
ton in consequence of its variable character. an
convinced that no improvement could be made in thl
locality Offering the slightest hope of permanency.
| The middle Ground" has not changed material.
since the last survey. The shor. line at Bald Hea
has kept pace with the 'Jettees'' and the ''watling
to the Eastward has fulfilled the purpose designe
in the accumulation of sand, and the cons equent ex
tention seaward of the high water mark.