Fort Worth daily gazette. (Fort Worth, Tex.) 1882-1891, 1886-12-17
GOING TO DEEP WATER.
The Bill Providing for the Construction
OF a HaTbor on the East Shore
OF Padre Island.
The Origin of the Measure and What It viii
Accom- plish for Texas-An Anchor
age for ships of any size.
AUSTIN, TEX, Dec. 10, 1886.

AUSTIN, TEX, Dec. Is, 1856.
To the Editor of tho Gazette:
herewith enclose copy OF bill intro
duced in the senate Of the United States
by Hon Richard Coke and in the house
of representatives by Hon. j. ID. Sayers,
entitled "An act to give permission to
John Willett and his associates to con-
struct ard maintain harbor on the east /
shore of Padre Island in the state of
Texas" The object is to reach thirty
feet of water by an iron pier, and con-
struct a breakwater for better protection
and safety. The originator of this meas
ure, Mr.. John Willett, for many years
merchant at Corpus Christi, and familiar
with that section, has devoted his time
and energies to awake an interest in this |
work, and to enlist capital to construct
it. His efforts are now successful. His
co-associates represent all portions of the
state, and are backed by capitalists of the
| North and East and of England. The
work is feasible, and at comparatively
| little cost, and with the consent OF the
| United States government to use the
waters of the Gulf of Mexico, but not
asking for dollar of subvention
The work will be done in few
months and then will be opened
q new era of prosperity for which no par
allel will be found III a country's pro-
gress. The plan Is simple. The charts
OF the coast survey show us that the Gulf
stream-that mighty river of the ocean
that sweeps from the Caribbean sea
through ocean and gulf in its majestic,
unfathomsbles course, approaches nearer
to the lend at the east end OF Padre Is
land than at any other polnt in its never
ceasing How. A pier 800 yards in length
will reach thirty feet of water, and ma
ture has placed ledge of rock ON the
coast nearly opposite this point on the
main land, and nowhere else on the
coast of Texas, thus providing deep
water and the material to make safe
D harbor by means of the breakwater.
9 And what does thirty feet of water,
reached by pie> and sheltered by a
breakwater, mean for the state OF Texasp
1t means, that the ships of the sea OF ev-
cry class, will find safe anchorage; it
means, that the railroads Of Texas al
ready built and to be built, will bring the
commerce of Texas not necessarily trib.
= ute to Galveston, to deep water; that
the extension of the Arkansas Pass raul
road to Waco, thus to be come cted with
q line OF road to Cairo, will create a
direct line to the great Northwest;
n the road to Denver to connect
n with the Pacific combination as well as
J. our own Sunset road to bring the wheat
= of California, the treasures of Nevada,
!, and the products Of the East; then the
~ Mexican National with it's connections to
10 bring us the products of the mines and
70 the riches of Mexico; II means refriger-
y ator ships to furnish the laboring man
y with cheap beef, and to lift the great cat
tie interest of Texas out of the crushing
monopoly of the Armours; it means also
the trade Of South America likely to be
developed by this short-ocean transit, to
W an extent now unrealiZed. Surely the
y times are propitious. To-day the whole
W coast of Texas is desolation swept
le from the Sabine to the great river by un
O. bridled winds and the terrible tidal wave
s. Galveston alone, through the mercifu
w dispensationo Of Providence, stands unhur
III along the whole coast. The lesson taught
Is by the wind and the wave tells us tina
a the future city of the sea will not be bull
a. upon the sand. Where will be the futur,
ct great city of Texas? l cannot answer
It, but 1t will be where nature says tina
nd although the cyclone may devastate, III,
is waters shall not destroy and has pro
vided the adjacent mainland high abov,
sea level, where sidelings and temporary
conveniences can be erected but Thu
freight loaded on cars wherever 1t ma
be from will deposit its burden at tn
ey ships tackle on the Willett pier. II Sal
nt' Antonio is true to herself, and Just nov
Mt, shall realize the bright posslbil ty dawn
OF ing; shall see the shadows which com
no ing events cast before us, which, per
y" haps, the sunset Of life gives me power
sty to see, then San Antonio, with factor
ng smelters and reduction works, its une
ne. qualed natural resources developed; PEG
Ter pied with an energetic progress
lot i've people will realize my Wis
liz. ion; San Antonio, the depot Q
for the concentrated trade Of Texas not nov
BILE necessarily tribute to Galveston. Tn
ley commerce Of the greatIWest and the trad
so Of the East will send her cars freighte
nu- with the worlds riches to the deepes
in water, the biggest SHIPS, and the safes
ght harbor in the world. III, r. BEE.
Sc. bill; To give permission TO job
Willet and his associates to construc
and maintain a harbor on the east shor
OF Padre Island, In the state Of Texas.
10 BE 1t enacted by the senate ard hous
80 of represent ,tiyes Of the United States Z
nAs America IL congress assembled,
vas That John Willett, Jot Gunter. lame
TO II Britton, N. o. Hutchinson, W. a
it, Westiall, John NJ Mathis and George ",
be Russ all OF Texas, their associates. su,
pie cessers and assigns are authorized an
Dol shall have the right to construct, buil