The daily gazette., 1883-01-20
wILMINaroN,s nARRoR.


Leading Features and Recommendation
In the Chief Englncer's Report just
Out-The Breakwatsr.
The report Of the Chief Engineer on the
work of improving Wilmington's harbor,
just made in Washington, Is as follows:
CATER full consideration and discussion
of the project for the improvement of the
Christiana river, so as TO afford Is foot
low water navigation from the Delaware
past the city Of Wilmington, a contract was
made for the construction Of the jetty at the
mouth, to reach the 10 foot low water curve
In the Delaware, at cost Of S33, ,000
"a further contract was made for the ex-
tension Of the existing twelve foot low water
channel from below Third street bridge up
ward to the pulp works, as preliminary to
the future attainments Of the deeper naviga-
tion. This work was not definitely provided
for until the city of Wilmington, DEL, had
taken action toward rectifying the faults OF
its sewerage system so far as relates TO the
Christiana. Traps were built by the city to
intercept the solid water transported by the
sewers, and enactments provided for their
systematic inspection aud clearance.
although the preventive measures can
not be regarded as fully meeting the require
ments of the navigation, omitting from con-
the needs of the future population, 1t was
believed that the compliance with the de-
mands of the situation was such as to war
rant the Inauguration OF the improvement
and justify the beginning of the dredging
and deepening operations essential thereto.
The dredging work was begun last Febru-
ary at a point about 500 feet below the
Third street bridge, and thence carried to
the pulp works, deepening the navigation
wherever necessary to not less than IL feet
at mean low water.
"The present condition Of the channel Is
as follows: From the point of beginning to
Harlan & Hollingsworth's ship yard the
width Is $50 feet; thence to the Delaware
Western Railroad bridge the width is 100
feet; thence to point 200 yards below the
pulp works 40 feet. As the funds had been
nearly exhausted at this stage, single cut
40 feet in width was carried through tho re-
manning distance.
"Work on the jetty at the mouth has pro-
gressed but slowly. The delays are due In
part to the stormy weather and to the ap-
parent absence of facilities on the part of
the contractor.
1.-THE bar, at the entrance, which was
dredged year before last to thirteen feet at
low water, has retained its depth, and ex-
hibits indications of permanence by aid Of
the increased traffic In the stream.
There is every reason 70 believe that q
low water navigation OF Is feet once secured
will be measurably permanent both in the
river and on the bar The jetty, built to 10
feet in the Delaware will undoubtedly
answer its purpose.
"The drainage works of Wilmington are
receiving an intelligent consideration, which
will, in all probability, result in a general
reconstruction of this important measure
for the protection of the navigation and
public health.
"There will be required for the continu-
ahce of operations under the project, to Sc
cure fifteen foot low water navigation, an
annual appropriation of not less than $780,
900.
THE total estimated cost of the project is
$175, DBL"
The report speaks at length upon the
needs of the Delaware Breakwster, and
says "In the last River and Harbor bill,
provision was made for closing the gap
between the Ice-breaker and the Break
doubt as to the desirabflity of
completing this work as rapidly as possible.
The arguments for It's construction are
mainly two: /. The necessity for increas-
ing the area protected against northeast
gales, which now enter freely through the
gap 2. The prospect of checking the
shoaling behind the Breakwater by COM
pelling this large portion of the ebb, which
now escapes through the gap to traverse
the harbor and pass out by its eastern en-
trance. \ The annual sum available
ought not to be less than $3.50, 600 yearly for
four years, and the work could be done to
much better advantage in three years with
appropriations of 5000, 600 each. "The total
estimated cost of the project of closing the
gap is S675, 900, of which $l25, 900 was ap-
propriated In the River and Harbor bill of
last August. The width OF the gap or
opening between the ice breaker
and the breakwater is about 1890
feet, and the depth at mean low
water in the line joining the two varies
from 25 to 43 feet. The tidal currents
through the gap have velotities of from two
miles to four miles per hour, and the seas
from the northeast traverse it freely. With
appropriation sufficient in amount to war
rant the commencement of the work-say
$3.50, 900 to 5000, 900, to be yearly repeated
until completion-it is proposed to close the
gap by means of a concrete superstructure
resting upon rip-rap foundation