The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1883-08-04
THE PORT DEPOSIT BRIDGE.
ARGUMENTS ON BOTH SIDEs-AN OFF
GAL VISIT TO BE MADE TO THE
SCENE.

ClAI VISIT TO BE MADE TO THE
SCENE.
The Mary land Board of Public Works
at Annapolis met last Friday to deliber
ate over the proposition of the Baltimore
and Ohio Railroad Company for the con-
struction of its bridge over the Susque-
hanna river at Port Deposit, and the
manifesto of citizens of Port Deposit
against its erection, and at the request of
latter decided to make an official visit to
Port Deposit on Friday August 3, and
examine further into the matter before
taking action on the application. The
Board was in session about an hour, Gov
crnor Hamilton, Comptroller Heating
and Treasurer Compton all being present.
Neither the Baltimore and Ohio or citi-
zens of Port Deposit were represented in
person, but both sent arguments whose
reading consumed q greater portion of
the session of the Board. After the
reading of the documents by the Secre-
tary, James 7. Briscoe, Jr., Governor
Hamilton suggested that it would be
well to obtain the views of the people of
Port Deposit more fully in the matter,
and for this purpose it was unanimously
agreed to accept the request of the Port
Deposit people to visit that place next
week. The Board directed the Secretary
to communicate with Mr.. Cowen, coun-
sci to the Baltimore and Ohio, and other
officials and also to notify the people of
Port Deposit of the Boards intended
visit. All the members of the Board
will 60.
1t was stated that the Baltimore and
Ohio is anxious to begin work at once on
the bridge, and for this reason the Board
will be asked to definitely determine the
matter as early as possible. 1t is con-
tended that the modification of the first
plan submitted to the Board, which in
creases the height OF the bridge from SO
to 90 feet ought to be sufficient COM
promise, and that if, as admitted by the
citizens of Port Deposit, there is no hos
tility between them and the Railroad
Company, but that they are friendly to
the construction of the bridge, then the
project should be allowed to so through
without Gu! thcr Interference. 1t is fur
the: commended that the building of the
bridge will benefit Port Deposit rather
than be barrier to its commercial pro-
grcss.
ARGUMENT OF L. AND o. COMPANY.
The argument OF the Baltimore and
Ohio was as follows: The Baltimore and
Ohio Railroad, through its chief engi
neer, Colonel II. T. Douglas, presented
to the Board a modified application for
the approval Of the plan AMI character
of the bridge which it proposes to con-
struct across the Tidewater Canal and
the Susquehanna river, in which i says:
II respectfully represent that this bridge
is located so as to give 90 feet clearance
above nigh tide for the lower cord men,
bers of said bridge, with a clear opening
of go feet over the east channel (the
channel not used), and two clear open
ings of go feet each over the west chan
mel, where the water is the deepest. 1t
ill be necessary for some of the largest
vessels used in the Port Deposit trade to
lower their topmasts while passing under
the bridge. We think that we have
shown that this is thoroughly practical
bic, and can be done without imposing
any burden on the commerce of Port De-
posit. 1t only requires a short time,
ranging, as estimated, from ten to thirty
minutes, to lower or raise the topmast."
1t is alleged that 200 vessels at the out
side Is the largest numoer that can be
shown to trade annually with Port De-
posit and lit is quite evident says Mr..
Douglas, that "A large proportion of
these vessels would not even be required
tG strike their topmast in passing under
a bridge 80 feet above hightide. The
total estimated tonnage of Port Deposit |
done by vessels does not exceed 80, 900 |
tons, whereas the estimated tonnage over
this bridge will be from one and a-half |
to two million tons of freight, besides
there will be from three to three and a
half millions of passengers. | respect
fully represent that to require vessels to
strike their topmast or steamer to lower
their smokestacks is not new nor I'M
usual requirement. 1t has already been
decided by the United States Circuit |
Court in the case of The Brooklyn bridge |
that it was reasonable and proper re-
qllirement, by which the rights of inter-
mai commerce have been fully recognized, |
and. in addition, We beg leave to refer to |
the weil-known fact that steamers are
required to lower their smokestacAs on
the Ohio, Mississippi and Missouri rivers,
where the tonnage is of volume greater
than the entire ocean tonnage of New
York city, Philadelphia and Baltimore.
80 require the bridge to be construc-
ted with draw at an elevation of so
OF 90 feet, would not only subject the
Company to an additio nal cost OF at least
a half million OF dollars. but that it
would entlanger the safety Of the great
traffic and the large number Of passen-
gers that will pass over this bridge.
There is 10 draw-bridge i'll this country
constructed at Il height of 50 or 80 feet
above the water, and none, SO far as am
aware, have ever been constituted in
Europe at that height
The impracticability of building a
bridge 125 feet above high tide, from an
engineering point of view,is also touched
upon.
In conclusion Colonel Douglas says: II
have changed the plan which was origi-
nally presented to you to make it 80 feet
above high tide, and according to the
statements of Mr.. Woodail, competent
ship builder, who can speak with exact
ness, and the other testimony that has
been presented to you, any of the vessels
can pass under this bridge by simply
striking the topmast. In order to ia Gil
itate the river traffic and to avcil zen
the least complaint, the Bait: =, and
Ohio Railroad Company aiso oppose as
one Of the conditions for the use of the
bridge to be fixed by the Board of Pub
lie Works. that it will keep good and