Wilmington daily commercial., 1875-01-27
FIEST EDITION.
Improvement of the Hatbor.

REPORTS IN THE BOARD OF TR DE LAST EVENING
COL. KUBTzs PLAN-cUTTING THE BRANDYwINE
THROUGH TO THE cHRIsTIANA.
In the Board of Trade, last evening, the re-
port of special committee on comforting with
Col. ]. D. Kurtz, U. $. Engineer, in reference to
his plan for the improvement Of Wilmington
Harbor, WAS presented.
The report states that ina communication from
Dol. Kurtz dated January 18th. he gave out
making to the harbor. The main part of his let
ter is AZ follows
1928 CHESTNUT ST., U s. ENGINEER OFFICE,
PHILADELPHIA JAM 13, 1875.
e z. Warner, Esq Wilmington Board Of
Dear SIR: The plan of improvement of the
Wilmington harbor, which l am carrying into
execution was adopted in 1870. 1t contemplates
providing channel 100 feet wide and IL feet
deep at low water, from the Delaware to the
West end of the harbor, also for widening the
cut at the lighthouse to 800 feet. In the case
of rock, the depth il 13 feet, one foot more, to
prevent injury to vessels.
This improvement Is nearly completed 1t
will require $4,000 to finish it, of which sum
800, 900 ID asked for, to be appropriated by Con-
gress, the present session.
In regard to this plan of Improvement, the
Committee state
tee by Col. Kurtz it is evident the plan of i'm
proyement decided upon by the U. =. Engi-
neers, is the result OF much study, soundmgs
having been taken at all points from the mouth
of the creek to the Wilmington & Western Rail-
road bridge, with an accuracy and detail really
surprising. Your committee suggested to Col.
kurtz that the cutting of canal through the
neck of land between the Brandywine and
Christiana, southeast of the railroad bridge,
thus strengthening the channel of the Brandy
wi ma md inn apsiI,p ta ar
in turn stimulate the current OF the Christiana,
would tend to deepen permanently the channel
Of the latter river
"This suggestion met so hearty an approval
from the Colonel, that your Committee probably
exceeded its powers by authorizing the Colonel
to bore at sundry places to ascertain If rock crop
ping would make the cutting of the canal expen-
sive. 1t is thought that 1T will not, and your
Committee have further requested estimates to
be procured of the cost of the work. 1t is the
opinion of Col. Kurtz that this improvement, to-
gether with the purchase of about 600 acres of
marsh near the Western boundary OF the city,
and opening of the same to the ebb and How
of the tide thus causing large body OF
water to pass to and from the river with each
tide would permanently increase the depth of
water in the channel twelve to eighteen inches
and save all expense of further dredging. 10
do this will require some Legislation from thus
State. Your committee was of the opinion this
power might properly be delegated to the Board
of Trade, but after consulting with an
attorney it was deemed impolitic, or
rather injudicious, to delegate such powers to
this Board, being IN measure beyond it's pro-
vince it is therefore recommended that char
ter for a canal company be secured during the
present session Of the Legislature, granting
necessary rights and privileges. To secure the
completion of the work. it il thought an ap-
preparation from the Government can be OBJ
tanned that will be sufficient to defray the
cost therof. Your committee recommends the
appointment of special committee to procure
the necessary legislation"
The report was signed by E. T. Warner, and
Francis Barry. On motion it was adopted, and
after some discussion, i'll which Mr.. Heald pro-
posed to postpone the subject two weeks, 1t was
voted to appoint q committee at once, to ask
from the State Legislature, such legislation as
would permit the United States to make the de-
sired improvements.
Nessrs L. +. Warner, Head and Lea were
appointed the committee.
Mr. Warmers committee also presented the
copy OF letter which had been sent to II. +.
Pickles, ESQ.,, at his request, to be forwarded to
Hon. Jas Il. Lofand, of which the following ls
the substance
As to the number of vessels entering this har-
bor, during the year 1874 we have to say there
were
~ vessels repaired at our ship yards.
18 iron vessels built.
10 wooden vessels built ................ l09
From New York steamers per week
To " .i " '........ 2l0
From Philada 8 90 " day 1904
New Jersey steamer. ............. SUI
Other craft, barges, brigs, and schooners ,-
towed in.. .....s...'......... t,'''' 'oo
s,s72
1t is estimated that about $500 vessels use the