Wilmington journal. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1844-1895, 1873-01-31
RIVER AND HARBOR.
Our River and Bar improvements
Report of tho EnEineers-FavOr-
able Progress and Prospects,
NEW YORK, December Z, 1872.


headquarters Corps of Engineers, De
cember II, 1871, assembled at Vii
mington. North Carolina, January "a
1872, and after an examination of the
portion of the Cape Fear River south
of that city, submitted a preliminary
report. dated January rs, 1872.
The main operation at that time in
progress for the improvement of the
river was the construction of a line OF
crib-work filed with stone, which,
starting at the most northerly extreml-
ty of Smiths Island, was extending
toward Zekes Island, and, resting for
the greater part of its length upon the
remains of the stone dixie built prior
to 1857, had attained length of 1,2OC
feet.
The sand was found to be accum,l.
lating against the jettee. particularly
on the outside. and the board agreed
in the opinion that should this accumll-
lation continue as the work progressed,
so as to afford protection to the cribs
from the ravages of the worm, this
general mode of construction would
probably be suitable for the entire
length of the dixie, but that it would
be desirable to change the character
of the structure for the remaining
length, should the sand not accrlmu-
late with sufficient lapidity.
At Baldhead it was found that the
extreme point had recently suffered
considerably from abrasion, and that
the jettee constructed prior to 1860
had been completely turned and an
opening of more than 300 yards in
width had been formed between it and
the shore
Experimental b1nsh-fences toi Il
simple kind) had been constructed on
the beach of Smiths Island, and the
propagation of native grasses attempt
ed, both from seed and settings.
\ photographic survey was i'll pro-
cess by Coast Survey parties, which
WIS expected to INCLUDE the main out
let and New Inlet.
After full discussion, the board found
itself unable nj that time TO present q
full project for the improvement of the
mouth of the river. recommending only
the prosecution of the work for closing
the outlet between Smiths and Zeke' s
Islands, in the belief that the opera
ton would be an essential part of any
plan of permanent improvement.
Within the period somewhat less
than a year. which has elapsed since
the meeting of the board referred to,
the Coast Survey parties have compile
ted their survey, and have furnished
maps OF the portion Of the river below
Federal Point and its outlets, which
give much valuable information. The
time has also been used in study of the
subject
The closing work between Smith S
and Zeke's Island has been exteded,
according to the original plan, to q
depth of 2,4OO feet, and for an addi-
tional length of 900 feet, the cribs
are in place to receive the superstruc-
ture
Additional brush fences have been
built ON Smiths andand Zeke's Islands,
and the cultivation of grass has con-
tinued.
AS the closing work has been ex-
tended toward Zeke's Island, the shoal-
ing of sand has followed i'll a very
marked manner. In some portions of
it's length the water continued to filter
through the cribs and stone filling Ill
perceptible streams. Sand in bags has
been found to cheek these currents Ill
4 very inexpensive way.
There was, i'll the Spring of 1872, a
threatening abrasion of the upper end
of Smiths Island. which was promptly
checked by crib work Of moderate
extent
The brush fences hav. served t.
catch and retain much of the sand
moving under the action of the wind.
and to increase the general elevation OF
those parts of the beach upon which
they have been placed.
1t is important that these masses OF
sand thus accumulated should be held
by some means from further motion.
and, with this view, th.. cultivation pt
grasses has been regarded as Of nnpor-
tanee, The results have not been &c
good as expected: but sufficiently so to
Justify further efforts in the same dl-
rection. The Use of the hrush-fenrf
should be continued
An interesting and important devel-
opment of the recent survey has been
what seems to be an effort of the forces
in play to open channel at the Bald
Head entrance, uearl V i'll the position
of the ancient channel existing before
the opening Of New Inlet.
An improvement, though small, Is
also reported i'll the western chan mel
and in the New Inlet; but the most
marked change seems to be at the
Bald Head entrance. The shape OF the
Bald Head point has changed consider
bly,, but apparently not to the d1sad-
vantage of the river
Itcannot be affirmed that these changes
III the channels are certainly due to
the work in progress between Smith $
and Zeke's Islands, but there is good
ground for believing the one to be thf
cause of the other.
:. On the, whole. the situation seems
decidedly encouraging :. IT,
= The Improvement of the Cape L eaI
.ivef below Wilmington has been the
Subject of several reports hv previous
boards, respectfully Those of 1858 ano
1851, III which the Importance ri that
Improvement has been act fortl
clearly. 1t does not seem necessary
TO present further details OH that point
but this board will content itself witt
the OPINION thar very liberal cxIpendi
ture for the Accomplishment of the
object in view would he entirely 1usti
fed.
After carefully considering the whole
subject, the hoard make the following
Recommendations
lst. That nothing be done ut presen
in the way of removing or extending
the old iettee at Bald Head Point, oru
efforts to protect that point
I'd. That dredging be undertaken II
the Bald Head Channel which seems tt
be openingl as soon as funds are avail
able for that purpose, the mode an.
amount of dredging to be left to the
discretion of the experimenting 'h
gineer.
Sd. That the closing work be con
t;nued according to til" present plan t
Zeke's Island, and across the island, II
- Leyon1 t iute he rires IS sh,' s'i
oerintenuing engineer elaF md :xpe
tiieht. the dhai..crtr of the eo',S ~ I,
ton across and beyond thc1sland I" ID
Sss6 determined by him..
18th. That constant and careful wa fs,
be. kept eyer tls -extre'n't .es OF IN
as,. Sss + 't n@ l; by, , AFRO
TeaeE Of srnith's .'Islan'li' EXTENDING
toStherly. in order that any tendenc.'
Is iIr,ad b. the 61.eap may be at one
observed amt Eiles.kFH: 49, ;