The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-06-21
n, Editor Of the DisDqtch :

A Gr0ot WORK fOr h1cnInou'
To the Editor Of the Dispatch:
Following up the work OF deepening the
channel OF the river, which has now been
so successfully carried toward completion,
we have a great work TO perform OF giving
shape and efficiency to her harbor. SAFE
and convenient wharfage and anchorage
are indispensable to trade and COM
merce, and trade and commerce
are indispensable to q city. We may
waste our young life and the vigor OF
our manhood days at iruitless attempts
to secure share OF the commodities and
industry Of the country unless we provide
for them the necessary convenience,
methods Of safety, and facilities which give
10 them success, and which, long neglected
or denied, drive, in spite OF the great ma
tural advantages OF our city, the wealth
and enterprises OF commerce ana puDlc
industry from our doors.
We need q ship-basin, a capacious road
stead for sal-vessels, tugs, and steamers.
where they may ride safely alongside OF
substantial granite wharfage and beyond
the reach OF freshets and the chafing OF
strong currents, that interfere so much
with the successful and speedy loading and
unloading OF vessels. This basin should
cover n surface OF at least forty acres OF
ground. and should give depth OF eigil-
teen to twenty feet Of water. 1t should
be walled in with massive granite, and ITS
wharf margins wide and sufficiently ele-
waited 10 be beyond the reach OF the highest
freshets. Fortunately, we have just ut the
right place for such q dock and as II de-
signed by nature for the purpose--a lOca-
ton in the bed OF Gillie's creek and just
above its mouth that is admirably
suited for such work, and which
presents considerations OF economy
OF construction happily adapted to it. In
deed, in recent conversation OF the writer
with n gentleman OF large acquaintance
with shipping and well informed as to its
needs, besides being fully interested in the
welfare OF Richmond, he remarked that
"the location referred to was just as If ma
ture had half done the work."
AS far back as the memory OF man or the
history Of human habitation and industry
goes. we have no instance Of city with
out port improved by art for the business
of commerce or other facilities. such as
warehouses and stations for trade, that fail
TO compare with the great agency OF water
in commercial enterprises. People that
have quite lost their hearing, or have poor
best eXpedient; and so commerce has
many makeshiits, such as tramways, turn
pixies, canals, railways, &C., that, however
Valuable as auxiliaries, are poor facilities OF
trade compared with a harbor and road
stead with safe and deep channel commu'
nication. certainly enduring, and OF the
most economical character known to man
A track furnished by nature-"the water
rail-" may | not say waterfall 7 THAT
needs no cross-ties, or fish-bars, or switch
frames, or drainage: that suffers from
no slides or washings-a railway a:
smooth and enduring as il designed
hy Providence to be all that is need
ed OF the kind. We must remember
that the surplus productions OF the eartl
find their way to water lines OF Transports
ton, and that three fourths OF all the dis
posable industries and wants OF the huma,
markets OF commerce traverse, in one form
or another. the water pathways OF I'M
globe. and that without these economical
mediums OF exchange OF the great article
OF human consumption man would sooi
lapse into barbarism, disease, and want.
The neglect OF Richmond's harbor ha
accustomed her the loss OF millions; ant
continued failure to take hold OF her ad
yantages in this matter will consign he
promise and bright prospect OF opulenc
and greatness Of the near future to obscur
ity, apprehension. and doubt Of her fina
triumph over the blunders Of adminstra
ton OF her interest in the past.
The ship-basin will not only furnish
safe and eyer-conyenieDt and cheap mar
for landing and transhipping produce, bu
the rise and fall Of q feet Of the tides will
give . strong current in the channels OF tn
river below that will assist the work o
dredging and greatly lessen future expen
dture In that direction. And connected
with the ship-basin we should hav
dry-dock and ship-raiway-necessa
~ facilities OF shipping. But som
will say these are premature. Not at al
so. We must have proper accommoda
tons for trade before the merchants viii
come to buy Of us, and millions that ar
now spent by us In mere decorations an,
displays that pander to a feeble and sense
less taste for qualification that has no re
compcnse OF return, applied to the devel
opment of these interests OF Richmon
would soon command for her trade tn
admiration OF the world
In addition to the ship-lock and basin
the margin Of the river on this side Shouts
be built up with substantial granite walls
More anon. c.