Smyrna times., 1874-02-18
For tha Sm) rna Timss."
o,,x vessels at Philadelphia.

0hr vessels at Philad e1phtR.
Il NAV probably interest the readers of the
T,NEs and those who witnessed the launch OF
H. vessels built last year at the Ship Yard Of
Wnrien & Evans, to know how they were re
reiyed in Philadelphia. The Brig, Odorittd,
w.s visited by large number of persons.
ContianS, vessel-owners and ship builders, and
!, NAV be questioned whether any vessel was
aver subjected to as severe critical examIna-
lions. and by as able critics, as was this vessel,
cominS as she did from the almost unknown
,s,,ers of Smyrna Creek. Lying close to the
,e;r. Of the American Steamship Company,
he received equally as full share Of atten-
t;on as did the magnificent Pennsylvania or
Indiana of that line, aud stood the test for
hsins the finest vessel OF her class in port.
This, for port like Philadelphia, whore are
ga,hersd tine efforts Of a world of mechanics,
!. much to assert yet being reiterated there so
frequently in regard to that vessel, Smyrna
and those most directly concerned must blush
ingy accept the honor
At the same pier as the Brig the Schooner
PHILADELPHIA received her outfit, presenting,
when re .dy for sea, beautiful appearance,
atte.tlng TO the many admirers that her builder,
Mr.. Julian Jacobs, thoroughly knows how to
blend the beautiful with the practical, and so,
asking the reader to regard the water front of
the port of Philadtl ,hia as part of the Cenren-
malls exposition ol 1876, and we have Della
ware favorably in the list for her improved
ship.building. Evidently this, with the other
resources of the State, will be a gratifying
exhibit Of century's growth comparing favor
ably with other States having better advantages.
Yet, for this branch OF industry, and for this
locality serious and almost fatal obstacle at
once presents itself to a full development
namely: our insufficient water communica
tons As the creek is now constituted, TO build
such vessels as the Brig means simple
failure-faiure to deliver them on time, and
failure to realize even the cost of construction ;
and failure means for other places to realize
profits on our timber resources, simply because
we do not improve the highway that nature
has given W to float away our manufactured
products. This is applicable to more than one
industry. Ii tells sadly upon the general
prosperity of the State whose very being de-.
pends upon the agricultural and manufactured
products of it, The city of Wilmington has
now al the advantages of good water transit,
and the citizens OF the lower part OF the State
have succeeded in obtaining an appropriation
from c ,ngrsss to deepen the channels o. their
creeks and why should not some effort be
made for Smyrna Greek. 1t is not required to
dredgs from the mouth to New Castle bridge
to get a required depth. By no means; for
already the creek possesses for two thirds its
length an average depth OF ten feet OF water.
is either the removal of existing shoals, or cuts
that will avoid them. The general topogrs ply
of this creek is that of syptOn, aud IN one
portion Of q cut of about three hundred yards
would save at least two miles and avoid tie
most formidable shoals OF the entire creek, on
which thsre are rarely more than ST feet Oi
water. And yet, over these distractions II wa'
required to drag n vessel drawing feet IL
inches Of water, last season. The shoals are
In, Eisht / I,an nd
Brig .ndng, ami are f ned by the force o
the tide sweeping against sharp angles, and
from the canal TO the Brick Store LANDING
comprehends long sweep TO every point o.
the compass making an area of about three
hundred yards. Cut this and, as before re
marked, the most formidable shoals in tn,
creek are avoided. Let this be cut aud th'
valuable wharf property on the circumference o
that circle Is benefited lnsOmuch a. the iOrc'
of the tide will be turned by the straight cuts
Or do not make the cut, but dredge for
depth Of seven feet of water, and in less thai
SIX months the tide will form shoals again AM
again. This view Of the matter is well known
and was advanced years ago ty those interested
in improvements to the creek, consequent
whatever advantages it is for Smyrna or vicinit
to be possessed of water communications ar
partly rendered nugatOry, while these obstacle
remain. And II may as well be added 10
alone in the interests Of Ship Building ar
these suggestions offered, but other ami ia
more valuable interests are dependent on goo
water transit valuable, because transports
tion enters largely into determining what tn
net profits re lily are. Aud eventually a web
work OF railroads will intersect this State, bU
still it will be found that water transportatio
is not only the most efficient bat the cheapes
Tl or fore, IS community, present advantage
are paramount to future ones We are in tn
Congressional District entitle to as mach col
sderaton in the National Legislature as AT
the people Of nsghboriOg States and shoul
seek it. Private enterprise can and does
much, but still series IF untoward circuu
stances may so effsctually check it's fsrtht
advance as to result dissstrously to the sntii
community. Yet the nssdful aid could,
asked for. be given by the General Cover
ment. And in the next Congre essional Can
paign, while we listen to the laudatiC
bestowed upon candidates for Congress let
expect TO hear m' a.ures spoken OF to memol
alize Congress to make this Q port OF entr
There can be business enough done to justl
it. There will be business enough done
sustain it if there is the proper water faci
ties >.