Daily Republican., 1881-06-11
CAPTAIN LuDLow's OPINION.

4
vote: Ayes IA; nays, 4.
CAPTAIN LUDLow's OPINION.
Under the subsequent call of petition
and communications, Mr.. Rodney pre-
scnted the following letter and had i
read, Mr.. Paynter making % stubborn
but Intellectual ngkt to choke it off:
The following communication was
read and referred to the Committee or
Road to the River.
| I. s. ENGINEER OFFICE,
No 1925 Girard Street,
Philadelphia, June 8, 81. }
Mr.. G. A. Rodney, Chairman River
Front Committee, Wilmington, Deia
ware:
DEAR SIE:--I have to acknowledge
receipt of your note of this date, asking
my opinion as to the advisability and
probable effect Of wharf structures on
the Delaware front in the vicinity of the
mouth of he Christiana river, especial
y on the south side of the entrance.
a complete answer to your question
would involve such u thorough exami-
nation OF the matter, us unfortunately
have not at present the time to make,
but there are some general cOnSder:l-
tions bearing upon the proposed i'm
prOvement of the Chrstana entrance
by the United States, which from my
previous study and knowledge of the
subject feel authorized TO state.
An important portion of the project
for the improvement Of the Christiana
navigation to fifteen feet at low water
is the construction of ietty, which,
starting from the dyke near the light
house, is to extend into the Delaware
river, curving to the south and east and
reaching depth of about fifteen feet at
low water with an approximate length
of 1900 feet. The design OF this jetty is
TWO told.
First. To control the ebb current out
of the Christiana crossing the bar and
escaping into the Delaware in such
manner as to compel it to maintain a
suitable depth and position.
Second. To so intercept the flood
tide in the Delaware as to gather a
sufficient amount of tidal water to
maintain the navigation in the Christi
ana.
Upon the tracing, handed me with
your ncte, have marked in pencil the
position of the proposed jetty. You will
readily see theretroln that the ebb cur
rents will be detected southwestardly,
50 as to Join with those of the Delaware
without conflict You will also observe
that while this ietty, when built, will
reduce somewhat the action of che flood
tide upon the shore Of the Christiana, it
will not ObstruCt to any serious extent
the free flow and action of the Delaware
ebb, and that consequently noinjurious
effect is to he anticipated either to or
from suitable wharf structures above
the .jetty.
The case is somewhat different with
regard To wharves south Of the Christi
ana entrance.
In the first place, the Delaware ebh
will be DETECTED off shore by the curved
back Of the jetty, and should therefore
expect Il tendency to fill along the Della
ware shore to the south.
In the second place, any wharfstruct-
are extending of the shore south of the
Christiana, if carried beyond, or even
as far as the low water mark, would,
beyond doubt, tend to interfere with
the tree movement of the flood tide up
ward and into the Christiana entrance,
thereby tending, so far as this influence
shall EXTEND to defeat one of the essen
tial objects Of the proposed jetty.
am of opinion, therefore, that any
wharf structures to be erected on the
Delaware shore south of the ChriStiana
entrance should comply with two con-
ltiOnS
First, They should not extend beyond
! bulkhead line which, connecting with
he dyke inside the mouth, should gra-
lually separate from the opposite shore
md curving back should fall into the
general line Of the Delaware river
From the local lines of high and low
water. should say that the bulkhead
inc ought to lie inside the low water
mark and somewhat in the position
lrawn in blue on your chart.
Second, the construction of the wharf
should not anticipate by any period
If time the construction of the dyke
Ilong this bulkhead line, since until this
,ulkhead was approximately complete
he broken angles would have an iniu-
iouS effect.
The matter of the Chrstiana has been
wing to the Importance attached to it,
lie subject OF deiberation by the Board
# Engineers in New York. The report
# the board has not yet been receiv-
al, but from my partial participation
Il its proceedings, | am justified in
aging that the construction fthe ,jetty
will be recommended.
| feel solicitouS therefore in the general
interest that great care should be eXer.
Used i'll the planning Of any structures
II the vicinity of the entrance.
| have presented the matter solely
rom the engineering point of view,
here may be, and are no doubt, com
nercia' considerations Of importance in
dd'tion. One of these is the fact that
here will eamuch better harbor above
he jetty than below. The curves of
cpth on yoNr chart are incorrect, es-
ecially the lS-feet curve which lies
luch further Oft shore than is shown.
his, however, is matter OF detail and
OF Of principle.
Yours very truly,
WILLIAM LUDLOW,
aptain of Engineers, Bravet Lieutcn.
anr-COIOnel United States Army.
OTHER BUSINESS pONE.
The Water Committee reported favor '
bly, on the petition of A. l.. Caroenter '
r., tor water pines on Brown and