Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1885-08-06
RIVER IMPROVEMENTS.
What IN Recommended at Whining
ton and New Castle.

WAsHINGToN, July 31.-The report of
William III. Smith, United States agent on
improvements of rivers and harbors under
his charge in Delaware and Maryland, has
been submitted to the chief of engineers.
That part relating to the work in the
vicinity of Wilmington is ms follows:
The work ut Wilmington, Del, con.
sisted principally in raising the ietties
and dredging. A proposed extension of
the jetty for distance of 322 feet was
not carried out, owing to lack of funds.
Besides this, IL is proposed TO remove the
wharves opposite the lighthouse and n
crib pier near Lobdell's wharf. The ex-
penditures during the year were 81 1854,
leaving $17.043 available. II is estimated
that $166,384 will complete the work and
that $75, 900 can be proftably expended
during the next fiscal year.
During the year the 50 200 available
was expended ON the ice hnrbor ut New
Castle, Delaware. II is estimated that
800, 800 will complete the PROJECT, and
this sum could be proiitnbly expended
during the next fiscal year. The work to
be done consists of rebuilding one of the
cribs, which is in danger of falling to
pieces, thereby rendering the hnrbor
NtluOltboY huu vi W
pier.
Lieutenant Colonel Henry NJ. Roberts,
United States engineers, with head
quarters at Philadelphia, has made his
annual report of the works under his
charge to the chief of engineers. Among
the improvements recommended is the
formation of n channel from point in the
river near the upper part of Philadelphia
TO deep water in Delaware bay with a least
width of 600 feet and having n depth of
26 feet Mt mean low water. Its estimated
cost is about SS2, ,425 900.
"Of course" says Colonel Roberts,
''the permanent works wiirnave to be re-
paired and probably aided by dredging.
But supposing that the contingent annual
expenditures should amount to $40, 900,
il would be about the interest of three
and half millions Mt three per cent; or
in other words, the immediate permanent
improvement of the Delaware river, in
Guiding the maintenance of 26-foot
channel, 600 feet wide, from the upper
part of Philadelphia to deep water in
Delaware bay, would cost, if the expendi-
ture were capitalized, about $6, 900, 900.
This is certainly small price to pay for
such great benefits, considering the mag
nitude of the interests involved" An ap-
preparation of $4,000 is recommended
for the fiscal year ending June 30th, 1887.
With respect to an ice harbor at the
head of Delaware bay the report says the
determination of the question of detailed
location is involved in difficulty, from the
fact that the reach of river in the vicinity
of the site which has been proposed con-
tains over 10 miles of shoal water requir-
ing improvement. II is recommended
that the decision as to detailed location be
held in allegiance until the effect of the
construction for the permanent improve
ment of this part of the Delaware
river is established by experience,
and consequently no appropriation
is recommended at present With re-
spect to the pier at Lewes, the engineer
says it seems possible that the present
timber superstructure could be economi-
cally replaced with permanent iron
superstructure at such cost that the an
nual interest would be much less than
the average cost of annual repairs to
timber superstructure. An estimate of
$15, 900 for the next fiscal year is sub
mitted, to be expended either in repairs
of the present wooden pier or i'll its par
tial replacement by permanent iron work.
Of the improvement of the harbor at
Delaware Breakwater, Del, the engineer
says the importance of this work to both
the commerce of the Delaware river and
the Atlantic coast is such MS to Justify
sufficient appropriations to complete the
breakwater at the earliest date possible.
During the past year about 1000 vessels
anchored under the protection of the
breakwater. The sum of $1,000 is
asked for the next fiscal year, there being
$67, 1897 available for the present year.