Washington standard. [volume] (Olympia, Wash. Territory) 1860-1921, 1875-06-26
A WHARF TO DEEP WATER.

AwHARF TO DEEP WATER.
That is what we want, and what we
propose to have, if it is possible to in
fuse enough of life, spirit and energy
into the property-owners of Olympia to
accomplish such a simple object. In
the use of the pronoun ace, are included
several of our enterprising citizens, who
have not yet yielded to the somniferous
influences which seem to prevade the
very atmosphere around and about our
quiet and dignifed town. If five good
men could save great city in ancient
times, we see no reason why an equal
number may not now save our beautiful
town from impending decay.
A few months ago it was announced
that the Goodall, Nelson & Perkins line
of steamships from San Francisco
would make the northern end of their
route at Olympia, but no effort was
made to place such harbor facilities at
the command of the company as they
had reasonable right to expect as q
recompense for the benefits conferred
by regular and direct communication
with the great commercial center OF the
Pacific Coast. The design of the COM
pany was afterwards changed, and Ia
coma was made the terminus of the
route. We cursed the railroad company,
as usual, and lost sight of our own sins
of omission in the exercise of reserved
right to heap oil manner of obliquy on
corporation whose general policy has
been such as to cause widespread be-
lief that it--and it alone-is the cause
of all our misfortunes. The truth is,
however, that the bankrupt railroad
company exercise but little influence in
determining the matter. Capt. Howell,
of the steamship Los angeles, informed
us, while on visit to this place few
months ago, that the primary cause of a
change in the original determination of
the company, was the want of the very
facilities We now propose definite and
feasible means of SUPPLYING wharf
at deep water, easy of access, and ready
means of furnishing fresh water and
the stores required BY ea-going vessels.
Such wharf, or dock, has long been q
need, and is now an absolute necessity
to the welfare of the town.. .....s
This week a couple of our citizens
made o thorough examination of the
bay, and obtained soundings at low wa
ter, of the best approaches to the west
crn shore, the nearest channel in which
deep water is found, with other requi-
sites at command, and available at a
moderate cost of labor or money. They
report in favor of point on the Snider
beach, about TOO yards south of Browns
"wharf," where dock 100 yards in
length will reach three fathoms of wa
ter at the lowest stage of the tide.
This depth is ample for steamers of the
tonnage of the Oriaamme, the Stephens
or the Ajar. From this point the wa
ter deepens rapidly outward, rendering
the approaches STE at all stages of wa,
ter. These gentlemen suggest, as a
measure of economy, that the greater
portion of the wharf be constructed of
cribs, rendering available the timber in
the immediate vicinity as we'll as the
labor which viii doubtless be contribu-
ted to so important an enterprise.
There is already fair wagon road
from the west end of Long Bridge to
the Snider place, which can be greatly
improved by moderate expenditure of
money or labor, and the cost will he
but trife to extend ii along the beach
to the point selected for the wharf. |
Such road would prove blessing in |
many ways. 1t would be conven-
fence to residents on the west side Of |
the bay, pleasure-drive for our citi-
zens, and better still, o means of reach
ing the outside world by direct ocean
navigation. |
This is the plan suggested in brief.
1t viii, we believe, be conceded as alto
gether feasible, and the only way in
which the !" vexed question" can ,ao,o
% sstfled Wei solicit general express
non q opinion upon the subject, and