Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1873-01-31

removal or extension of the old jettet
at Bald Head, would, it is beloved. be 1
h, very expensive operation, rs woull
also be the permanent prevention O
! further changes in the sllore-ine there
! The iettec, if properly marked, neeo
/ not be dangerous TO navigation. The
changes of shore-hne at Bald Head
though considerable, are not disad
| vantagcous up to this time. Should
| their character and extent become
dangerous, the remedy (Which canno,
now be foreseen) should be applied al
once, if funds are available.
I'd. Dredging is recommended fol
! the Bald Head channel, because the
effort of nature TO return to her normal
condition thercsbOuts would be en-.
couraged, the tendency Of the flow OF
water i'll that direction be increased,
and the entrance of the river by vessels
be at one. facilitated by giving a short
and straight channel, and the COM
merce of the. locality would thus be
Immediately benefited.
3rd. There seems no reason for devi-
atIng from the present method of con-
struction between Smiths and Zeke's
| Islands, which should therefore con-
tinue to the latter island, now distant
only about $50 feet from the head OF
t the advanced cribs. 4 cheaper pro-
cess may answerfor crossing the island
! but even that portion should contain q
solid nucleus for the retention of the
sand i'll case of violent disturbance by
gales or otherwise. The work should
project beyond Zeke's Island, as far rs
may be, with due regard for economy,
with view of diminishing the area for
flow through New Inlet.
4th. The reasons for the fourth
Recommendation ere obvious and need
not be stated.
9Th. 4 jettee from Federal Point
would exercise a material influence on
the regimen of the river. OF course
no one can predict its effects with GER
tainty. The probabilities of its afford
ing nucleus for the retention of sand
moving in from the sea, are strong,
and that ultimately this accumulation
may amount to the entire closure of
the inlet. Should the iettec not have
this effect, it's construction to any
length will proportionally diminish
the area of flow, Through the inlet, and
if the volume of the flow remains I'M
changed, the velocity will be increased
and greater scollr obtained with a
probable proportionate effect in deep
ening the channel.
1t would thus appear that the effect
of the iettee on the inlet may be ex-
pected to be advantageous to the navi-
CATION. Ii il does not close the inlet,
it will probably improve its depth.
Turning TO the probable effect of the
icttcc on the river below, we NAV ex-
pect reasonably that it will defect a
large volume Of water from the present
crooked channel below New Inlet, and
form new and straighter channel
near the right bank of the river, giving
a connection of the deep pocket there
observed with the channel above New
Inlet.
9th. The Improvement of the river
/ between New Inlet and Wilmington
will increase in Importance, and should
receive immediate attention, so soon as
the depth is manifestly increased be-
low, but there seems no reason for
having a greater depth above Federal
Point than below it,
The following maps accompany this
report, viz
1. United States Coast Survey map
of the western entrance to the Cane
Fear River, n. G. 1S72.)
,. United States Coast Survey mar
! of New Inlet (1S72J.
3. Diagram United States Coast
Survey showing cross sections at vari-
GUS points on Smiths Island 0S72).
At the request of the board mem.
berof the same has prepared, since the
meeting in January last, a review OF
the report of previous boards of engi.
neers, and also of the various improve.
ments which have at different times
been undertaken in the Cape Fear
River.
This paper is herewith attached. and
is forwarded with this report.
Respectfully,
Il. B. TowEK,
1t. Col. of Engineers. Bret. Mai Gen
H. c. WRIGHT.
1t. Col. Of Engineers, Bret. Mai. Gen.
J. G.. FOSTER,
1t. Col. of Engineers. Bret. Mai. Gen
Q. A. GILsroRE,
Mai. of Engineers. Bret Maj. Gen.
W. p. CRAIGHILL,
Major of Engineers.
Brig. Gen. A A. HrMpHREYs, Chief
of Engineers. [. S. ~. Washington