The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-07-22
OUR NEW SEAPORT.
wr CRY OF NEWPORT NEWS, VA.
a Commercial Centre with an UnrivaiIed
narssr-Rapid Growth Of New Enter
prise.
New York Times.l

NEWPORT NEWS, VA, Juy To- nus.
who have studied the natural features and
possible future OF Virgfnias sea-snore
have long regarded with interest that point
OF Iand at the eastern extremity OF the VIZ
o1nja Peninsula which projects into the
waters Of the York and James rivers and
Chesapeake bay, and reaches out like q
huge kew toward the very gateway Of the
old Dominion, where these great bodies OF
water are discharged through the capcsinto
the open sea beyond. Since about the
beginning OF the seventeenth century, when
Captain Newport landed on the northeastern
sb6rc OF the James river, bringing with
him from England tldings that had long
been expected and were gladly welcomed
by the coIonists, this spot, where he first
at foot on Virginia soil, has been known
AZ Newport News. There has never been
until recently village or even hamlet
here: but new era has just dawned in the
Old Dominion, and the march OF events mas
nj last reached and Is leaving enduring
footprints on the historic ground.
nv the extension Of the Chesapeake ana
Ohio railway from Richmond, hitherto
IT, eastern terminus, seventy-fye miles
down the Peninsula to its apex, the new
CITY OF NEWPORT NEWS
bas become nok the ocean terminus OF the
railway system, and promises to play an
important part i'm the future OF Virginia.
Already the machinery OF business has
transformed the place into scene OF ac-
tiyity. Where only two years ago an occa-
sional FOOTPRINT betrayed the rare infrac-
tjons Of the solitude that reigned, the load
ing Of ships, the landing oi railway freight
and passengers, the coaling Of foreign
steamers. and the hammer of the carpenter
now form the elements OF continuous
hustle and stir. The shore rises abruptly
from the beach in bluff about twenty-five
feet high, beyond which lies broad and
level plateau, while the general inclination OF
the land makes it susceptible OF perfect
drainage. The "Point," as it is called, has
a rounded outline with beautiful beach,
over which the water ripples with an en-
ticine murmur. Standing on the bluff, the
view seaward, as well as up and down the
James. is superb. The opposite shore OF
the mighty river is ten miles away, and 1t
retreats further and further into the dis
lance as ]. rounds and forms the southern
boundary of the great natural basin Ia
miliar i'm naval history under the name OF
Hampton Roads. IL was in this famous
roadstead, Just below Newport News. and
quite near to the shore that is now swarm
ing with workmen, that the memorable
battle between the
MERRIMAC AND THE MONITOR
occurred March 7 and 8, 1862, and here
still lies part Of the Cumberland's wreck,
sunk on the first day by the Merrimac. At
the southeastern corner OF the Roads, COM
fortably ensconced at the extremity of a
Notwithstanding inlet, lies the city Of
Norfolk, between which and Newport
News ferry has been established, which
now transfers the passengers from the
dock of the Old Dominion Steamship
COMPANY over to Newport News,
where the cars are taken for Richmond
and the West. Looking seward, the
view is still finer. Directly east and just
beyond the mouth OF the Chesapeake
stretches the Atlantic, dotted with glis-
tening sails, and only fifteen miles away.
Craft of all sizes pass and repass, some on
their way to Richmond, at which point the
gas. steam, and splint Goals from the mines
along the line OF the railroad were, until
tbe recent construction Of the wharves at
Newport News, entirely shipped. Some
turn to the right as they round Cape Charles
and head for Baltimore, 80 miles up the
bay, Still others come straight on, and,
casting anchor within stones throw, pre-
pare to take i'm their cargoes at this new
railway terminus.
II needs only glance around to get the
instant impression that here are
GREAT OPPORTUNITIES
which have been long neglected, but over
which far-sighted capitalists have at last be-
come enthusiasts. The wonder that this
natural seaport was not long ago utilized
grows with reflection. Here, surely, is a
harbor i'm which the navies OF half dozen
great Powers might find ample elbow
room. There is nowhere in the world a
place that seems better fitted by nature to
be the centre OF an extensive commerce,
where the largest ships can float at
wharves OF ordinary length. Only a
dozen yards from the shore. opposite the
point, the natural depth is sufficient 1or
vessels OF 1000 tons burden, and 1t IN
crcases rapidly in advancing toward mid
channel, while at the wharves there is
depth OF 2S feet Of water at low tide, so
that vessels may approach them under sal
at any hour OF the day or night. Owing
TO the indentation of the Atlantic coast
line mt this point, Newport News Is ut The
same time nearer TO the open sea on the
one hand, and to the interior centres o.
population and production on the other
than any of the other principal Atlantic
ports. 1t Is $50 miles nearer to ocean navi
cation than Baltimore, 50 miles nearer
than Philadelphia or Boston, and 10 mile
nearer than New York itself. Its roadsteat
and harbor are
SHELTERED AND SAFE
for all classes OF vessels in all conditions 0
wind and weather. Hampton Roads, il
point of fact, has been for years the favor
lite refuge and rendezvous for incoming
vessels seeking harbor or consigned Il
await orders for loading at the various
Atlantic ports, and there is probably III
other one spot OH the coast in sight o
which so large and numerous fleets o
ocean tonnage can be found within givei
time. Between the open sea and Newpor
News there has never been any Obstruc
ton from ice within the memory Of man
no dangerous rocks and shoals, and yes
sells Of all kinds, from the smallest coaste
to the largest steamship, coming In iron
the open sea can disdain services OF tow
boat or pilot 1T all seasons OF the year b.
day or night--a species OF independents
which, as a vessel captain has grimly re
marked, they cannot afford to indulge in O
any other port.
When Northumberland Warburton, O
the Royal Engineers, was in this eountr
some months ago on business connecte,
with the development Of the cattle trad
between this country and the Welsh por
Of Milford Haven he defined Newpor
News as the " finest seaport on the Nortl
American continent" stating, among it
advantages as q port adapted for foreign
trade, that the ocean route thence was
FREE FROM F0Gs AND ICE
which endanger the northern passage, and
calling attention to the great depth OF
water at lowest tides, an advantage readily
arlnreciafed nv those who have taI.o,, -. ,