Delaware Republican. (Wilmington, Del.) 1843-1874, 1866-12-31

provements to the Delaware. was held In th,
scientific lecture room OF the Institute Hall
on Wednesday evening the 26th instant, to hsal
the report tf the committee appointed at 6
previous meeting, on the utility OF opening o
direct communication to the Delaware River
His Honor, the Mayor, J. s. Valentine, called
the meeting to order, when the report was
submitted by their chairman, U. P. johnson
which will speak for itself, as a commendable
4 and truly wise enterprise After the reading
OF the report 1t was unanimously adopted with
the resolutions attached, as follows:
WILMIssros, DBL. Dec. 26, 1866.
10 Joshua s. Valentine, Esq, Chairman:
SIR; Your comuittes to whom was referred
the subject OF direct Communication, between
the city front on the Delaware, and the bust
ness portion of the city by means of a road, or
avenue, repert that they believe that the i'm
portsnce and necessity Of such communication
is self-svident and have given their attention
in the limited time allowed them, solely TO the
most feasible route.
| After careful examination ION both sides
| OF the city) Of the ground over which the road
| or avenue must be made, also of the Brandy
wine and Ohristia ma Greeks, together with the
| front on the Delaware, and from information
obtained from Mr.. 7. Warner, and Captain
Stokes, who made sounding to ascertain the
depth of water at different points North and
'front.' and from information derived from per-
sons acquainted with the navigation of the
Delaware, and the difficulties attending q
landing on the river, are Of the unanimous
opinion that 1t is inexpedient, and almost i'm
practicable, ION account of the expense which
would attend such project, the insecurity Of,
and difficulty OF access to it, ct certain seasons
and during easterly storms,) to make pier,
or landing, on the river, south OF the Christi
ana Greek.
That an avenue on the soutberly aide of the
ChFistiana would have TO be made on or
near the southerly boundary of the city The
gruand here 10 very favorable, most of it being
upland. 1t will, however, make the landing
nearly twice the distance from the centre of the
city as will be the case II the landing be made
north of the Christlana Greek.
That we find the shore above the Lighthouse
at point where 1lth or l2th street would
meet the river, very favorable for a landing.
That it will not require pier extending
from the present marsh bank more than 600
feet to reach IL feet water at low tide, of which
distance 800 feet will be- beyond low water
mark.
That from the present marsh bank, to low
water mark, about 800 feet, will take but little
more filling than that part of the road or av.
enue, inside of the bank. They find the
ground between the river and the Brand wine,
over which 1lth street must pass, much the
most favorable. Much of 1t being very high
marsh.
That the point where 1lth street will cross
the Brandywine, north of the Chris tiana I'm
provenept Company's property is the most
favorable point to bridge said creek. llth
street, however, cannot be extended in q
straight line to the Delaware, on account OF
striking the Brsndywine below the rairoad.-
II Will be necessary on this account to make
benz in said street, to conform to the shape
of the north bank Of the BraRdywine until it
meets point where the street can be extend.
ed in a straight line to the Delaware, which
will not be Objectionable.
We lind that 18th street will cross the She'll
pot as point where it will require bridge, or
quite extensive filing up, also will cross Island
Greek IN three places, snd that the g.nersl
character of the marsh is not nearly as favor.
able at 11th street.
That We believe there is a great necessity
for bridge over the Braudywine at or near
the point where llth street would cross the
Greek, to accommodate that section lying uorth
Of the City, and between the Philadelphia
Turnpike and the Delaware River, a section
beautifully situated for private residences, and
much OF it adapted to trucking and dairying
or favorable for manufacturing purposes.
That persons living in this section now have
no access to the City but by very bad and cir
cuitous roads and are subject To the payment
of a heavy toll. We believe that bridge
across the Brsndywine at the point named,
would be OF great benefit to the City ON that
account. Eighth street extended to the
River would not prevent the necessity of this
bridge, or meet the wants and requirements OF
this section and will also make it necessary to
bridge the Brandywine where it is about as
wide as 1t is at 1lth street
With reference to the project of canal con.
meeting the Brandywine and Christiana, a short
distance below the Rocks, we are not dec ded
But are less favorably impressed with the
scheme than we were before viewing the two
creeks. and are inclined to the opinion that all
the wharves that can be made on both streams
will be required for the future business and
commerce OF tue city.
We have had prepared rough sketch showing
the distance from the present bank on the river
20 low water mark also from low water mark to
wherathere is IL 1t. of water at low tide. The
latter distances are believed to be nearly correct
having been measured with lue-the hrst
named are nearly so-wefe not measured, but
estimated by the eye.
The Committee recommend the adoption of
the following resolutions,
ALLEN dAwTHRoP, GEO. @ LoBDELL,
EDWARD MOORE, WIN. THATCHER,
w. ). HILLS, WIN. FERRIS,
v. +. JOdNoON.
WHEREAs, The interests OF the City of Will
mington demand the opening of direct com
munication with its natural front on the Del
aware River, therefore
RESOLVED, That the City Council be requested
to take immediate measures for securing the
necessary legislation from the General Assem-
bly, at its approaching session in January, for
bridging the Braadywine at Eleventh Street,
add condemning the necessary land on said
Street, for such purpose from the Brandywine
to the Delaware River.
Resolved, That In the opinion OF this meet
ing the interests of the County ot New CASTLE
require the erection OF said Bridge; consid-
cradle district of country in Brandywine Hun
dred being now without sufficient means of
access to market and the prosperity of viii
mlnGton, which pays a large part OF the County
taxes, requiring this additional outlet
Resolved, That the above resolutions be re-
ferred to the City Council, and that they be
requested to take immediate steps to secure the
construction of the road as proposed and the
erection of the proposed Bridge by the proper
authorities of the County.
The thanks OF the meeting were like wise ex-
tended to the committee for their able report.
The meeting called upoH the committee for
estimates Of the work. Mr.. Lebdsll stated
that the committee were not sure that they
were expected to present estimates but they
had come prepared to furnish them. The esti-
mates were read, as follows;
For Bridge, S24 900
Duching, $500
Sluces aud Trunks 1000
Shellpot Bridge, 500
Gravel, 1885
" Pier and Wharf, 10000
Damages, 1900
M