Delaware State journal and statesman. [volume] (Wilmington, Del.) 1855-1870, 1867-01-01

Improvements to the Delaware, was helu III
the Scientific Lecture Room OF the Institute
Hall, on Wednesday evening, the 2Bth ult'
to hear the report OF the committee appoint
cd at a previous meeting, on the utility OF
opening direct communication to the Dela-
ware River Ills Honor, the Mayor, }; >
Valentine, called the meeting to order, wheh
the report was submitted by their Chairman,
c. p. johnson, Esq, which will speak Tor
itself, as a commendablc and truly wise en-
terprise. After the reading of the report 1t
was unanimously adopted with the resolu'
tons attached, ms follows:
WILMINGTON, DELAWARE,
December 90, 1865.
To JOshud s. Valentine, Esq.,, Chairman;
SIR:-Your committee, To whom was re-
ierred the subject of direct communication
between the city front on the Delaware ana .
the business portion of the city, by means OF
road or avenue, report that they believe
that the importance and necessity OF sueh /
communication is selfevidcnt, and have
given their attention in the limited time al
lowed them solely to the most feasible route;
After n careful examination Con both sides oil
the city, of the ground over which the ROAD
or avenue must be made; also of the Brnnuy'
wine and Christiana Greeks, together With
the front on the Delaware, and from inior.
nation obtained from Mr.. 7. Warner and
Captain Stokes, who made n sounding TO
north and south of the Christana Creek near
the River front; and from information deriv
ed from persons acquainted with the naviga-
ton of the Delaware, and the difficulties
attending landing on the River, arc OF the
: unanimous opinion that 1t is inexpedient ana
,, almost impracticahle Con account of the eX-
pense which would attend such project, the
insecurity of and difficulty of access TO it at
certain seasons, and during easterly storms)
to make pier or landing on the river, south
OF the Christiana Creek
. That an avenue on the southerly side Of
3 the Chrstiana would have to be made on or
q near the southerly boundary of the city
q The ground here is very favorable, most of
i II being upland. 1t will, however, make
n 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 Chrslana
Il Creek.
h That we find the shore above the light
a house at point where Eleventh or Twelfth
4, Streets would meet the river, very favorable
# for q landing.
n That it will not require a pier extending
AZ from the present marsh bank more than six
(. hundred feet to reach twelve feet water at
low tide, OF which distance three hundred
10 feet will be beyond low water mark.
, That from the present marsh bank to low
\ water mark, about thee hundred feet, will
take but little more illling than that part OF
v the road or avenue inside Of the bank. They
,e find tho ground between the River and the
q Brandywine, over which Eleventh Street
4 must pass, much the most favorable; much
4 Of it being very high marsh.
10 That the point where Eleventh Street will
ne cross the Brandywine, north of the Chris
4. tana Improvement Company's property, is
n. the most favorable point to bridge said Creek.
Eleventh Street, however, cannot lie extend
of ed in straight line to the Delaware, on ac'
no count of striking the Drandywine below the
If Railroad. 1t will be necessary on this nc
of count to make bend in SAID Street, to con
m form to the shape of the north bank of tho
so Brandywine until il meets u point where the
Il. Street can be extended in a straight line tC
the Delaware, which will not be objection
-, able.
ID We find that Twelfth Street will cross tho
Shellpot at point where 1t will require
ot bridge, or quite extensive filling up; alst
ID will cross Island Creek in three places, am
/ that the general character Of the marsh Il
~ not nearly as favorable as Mt Eleventh Street
at That we believe there Is great necessity
10 for bridge over the Brandywine at or nea
n the point where Eleventh Street would eros
10 the Creek, to accommodate that section lynn
north of tile city, and between the Phila
- delphia Turnpike and the Delaware River
section beautifully situated for private resi-
- dences, and much of it adapted to trucking
on and dairying or favorable for manufacturing
10 purposes
a The persons living in this section now hav
, no access to the city but by very bad am
in circutous roads, and are subject to the pay
tn ment of heavy toll We believe that
ice bridge across the Brandywiuc at the poin
I'D named would be OF great benefit to the cit
Id on this account Eighth Street extended 1
er- the River would not prevent the necessity {
,sk this bridge, Or meet the wants and require
nj. menis OF this section, and will also make
necessary to bridge the Brandywine whor
it is about us wide as it is NJ Eleventh Stree
= Will reference TO the project OF a canal con
=" Meeting the Brandywine and Chrstiuna
short distance below the Rocks, we ARE NJ
'iI decided; but arc less lavoraby impressc
,ia with the scheme than We were before viewin
~ the two creeks, and arc inclined 10 the opif
~ ion that oil the wharyes that can he mad
aay on both streams will he required for til
Wv, future business and commerce of the city
w. We have had prepared rough sketch show
a ing the distance from the present bank o
u ~ the river to low water mark also from 10
!he water mark, TO where there is twelve feet ,
r., water AZ low tide. The latter distances al
~ believed TO be nearly correct, having bee
w, measured with line-the first named NJ
ny nearly so, were not measured but estimate
IN by the eye,
'"'' The committee recommend the adoplc
,na OF the following resolutions:
I'm y. L. JOHNSON, GEO. q. LOBDEIL,
! OF ALLEN GAwTHRor, WIN. THATCHER,
ers. EDWARD MooRE, WIN FERRIS.
de w. s. HILLEs,
WHEREAS The interests OF the city
dge Wilmington demand the opening of dire
uld communication with its natural front on Il
the Delaware River; therefore
Resolred, That the City Council he =
inc quested to take immediate measures for 4
ana curing the necessary legislation from Il
the General Assembly at its approaching sessit
ON, in January for bridging the Brandywine
lVel Eleventh Street, and condemning tile nece
TER sary land on said Street, for such purpos
from the Brandywine to the Delaware Rive
nv nv Ros0l0ed That in the opinion of this me,
,s ing the interests of the County of New Cast
, a'.d, require the erection OF said Bridge; co
,en o siderable district of country in Braudywl
Hundred being now without sufficient mea
looo Of access to market; and the prosperity
,so5 Wilmington, which pays large part of I
1,oJ County taxes, requiring this additional outl,
Resoloed, That the above resolutions
tho referred to the City Council, and that fla,
Wi. be requested to take immediate steps to
and cure the construction of the Road as propC
Il oc ed, and the erection of the proposed Bird
'ess by the proper authorities of the County.
non The thanks of the meeting were lkewi
spoid extended TO the committee for their al
# n report.
,e at The meeting called upon the commit
ould for estimates of the work Mr.. Lobd
the stated that the committee were not sure II
the they were expected TO present estimates |
I in they had come prepared to furnish the
Ipaxr The estimates Wprp read no follo,ve