Wilmington journal., 1872-01-19

NiLMINGTON, y. e., JAM ISL
Cof. l.. I'm. DeRo<sc' Pt'oxi1cH ej The
Chombcr ef Commerce.:
SIR: On Friday, tic 4tll instant, YOUR
committee visited the public works near
New Inlet for the improvement Of the Bar
and River. We also walked some five or
six miles down the beach toward Smiths
Island to sec the condition Of the beach in
that direction, as well as TO observe the eff
feet Of the Catcll-sand-fences, and examine
the progress Of the grass culture.
AS anticipated in our last report very
little work has been done during the past
month, owing to the holidays intervening,
and the usual loss oftime OF, closing ZIP the
affairs Of one wear and commencing
another.
OF the I25 feet Of unfinished work al
. luded to in otlr last report, about 30 feet
have been finished; work is aso progressing
on the line Of brcakwatcr. This is about
all that appears to have been done during
the past broken month. Nature, however,
continues ]Ier work Of enlar9ing the beach,
and bringing up the shoals, to secure and
strengthen the brcakewater as fast as it can
be finished.
The catch saad fences lave accomplished
more than was expected OF them, having
elevated the beach four to seven feet and
several thousand feet i'll length. Wherever
the brush fence is placed, the beach makes
up immediately to the top Of it, and if The
! means were at command, the whole beach
could very soon be secured.
The grass cultivation has had 10 olpur-
ttInty rs yct>1f displaying its real value to
the casual observer, ono growing season
having been reached since the commence
meat,) but with your committee who have
watched its progress, the utmost confidence
is established i'll lis ultimate success. When
planted it puts out roofs Immediately, TAX
ing firm hold upon the surrounding s,iTul
which il secures ; coll( citing the blowing
sands as high us It's tops Will permit, and
we think the beach W ill hril,i up just as
fast as the grass grows. TO your commit
tee. az least, therefore, the growing season
of the next six or eight months, will be one
of much interest.
We feel constrained. Though reluctantly,
to bring TO your notice a critical, we may
say, dangerous condition Of that portion of
. the beach lying next 10 Smith Island, and
extending up above the lower pilot look
out. In several places tic beach or ridge
Of sand (nOt high) does not exceed thirty
feet in width at high tide, and at other
pllces, the beach being low and fat, the
onan waves make u clean sweep across at
extreme high tide. and it Is simply wonder
fdi that permanent opening has not long
since been effected. This danger being re-
mote from the field OI operations, no doubt
has escaped the notice Of the engineer in
charge Of the work. We therefore deem it
necessary only to intimate these facts. We
believe, however. he has already taken the
preliminary steps TO secure these points.
We here beg leave to state incidentally as
matter of information for the Chamber,
that Corps of Engineers from Charleston,
r. under Gen. Ludlow, has been examining
the site and surroundings Of Fort Ander-
son. for what purpose we are not advised,
and also another corps under direction OF
> tie Srperinterdcnt "F the Coast Survey
Department, are maxim, surveys Of the
farhor and its entrances as high up as Fed
eral Point, and which it is expected to com
pleta in few days.
The visit of the Commissioners appoint
ell to investigate matters relating To our
harbor, expected here on Tuesday, the 9tl
instant, has been Inayoidably deferred.
Conjecture only is lCft Us that ii is tempo
raiN, and that very soon we sl:ali have The
pleasure Of greeting their arrival.
All OF which is respectfully submitted.
Signed. II. NUTT,
Chairman.