The Charleston daily news. [volume] (Charleston, S.C.) 1865-1873, 1869-04-24

The SEA ENTRANCE TO CHAnLEsroN.-Th
main requisites OF prominent seaport is
sufficient e1panse of deep water we'll protecte;
by the land, to accommodate and keep afoat
numerous feet Of ships, and sufficient deptl
Of water leading to the sea to enable vessels t
pass with facility. In the former requisite
Charleston is admirably located, having fo
miles around her depth of five, six and sever
fathoms, VIII ere the fleets of the world might
ride. Her sea entrance, however, has been
considered somewhat contracted, and for very
heavy ships it stands as an obstacle. The
Pumpkin Hill Channel at present used, will
permit passage, at fair tides, of seventeen TO
eighteen feet, and even eighteen and q
half has been successfully brought in.
The British propellers, which are now
coming into the cotton trade OF the South
do not require more than this, md pass
In and ou: OF our port with facility, and
1t is probable that three-fourtbs of the
worlds commerce is transported in ships of no
greater draft; but notwithstanding the present
depth is suitable not only for our present trat-
fc but for o largely extenced trade all inn
would have it's advantages. This subject was
attracting much notice, and o dredge boat,
constructed by our enterprising fellow-ctizen,
J. NJ. Eason, Esq, had been used with consd-
cradle success on an eT.rlnce to the harbor
known as Mafit or Beach Channel Immediately
next to SuIivan's Island; but the late unfortu-
nate struggle put an end 10 this and all other
efforts for the improvement to the sea en-
trance to the port. With the view of niiiating
some new efforts in this direction, several gen.
tlemen belonging to the commission, who FORM
erly had the work in charge. among whom were
Messrs. Henry Gourdin, F. j. Porcher and w.
G. DeSaussure, accompanied by two OF our ex-
perienced pilots. Messrs. Samuel iicll and S.
S. Hancock, went down yesterday forenoon to
make an observation on this channel near
Sullivan's Island. This point of entrance has
some prominent advantages, among which are
very limited sea motion and proximity to the
city. Its conveniences are so considerable that
in 1853, 80 and go, much the larger portion Of
the commerce of the city was done throug h
this entrance. These gentlemen wore much
pleased with their reconnaissance, and were
sratjfied to find better water than they had ex-
pected. The tide fell out quite low, and sound
ings we're taken at low water slack, when
the least water found was eleven teet, indlca-
ting about nineteen feet at good spring tides.
A spit extending from Drunken Dick breaker
juts into the channel and somewhat contracts
its dimensions; there are also some half dozen
sunken blockade runners near by; but these
distractions can probably be gos rid OF at
moderate expense, and with removal OF the
outer part OF the breakwater this channel may
be made the most convenient entrance to the
harbor. We trust that the efforts Of these
gentlemen will meet with encouragement, as
notwithstanding the many natural advantages
OF our position, the sharp competition around
us renders it necessary that every possible
facility should be given to the prompt and
cheap transaction of business at this point.
With vigilance and energy on the part OF her
SONS, Charleston will take leading place
among the great commercial marts of the
country.