The morning call., 1890-08-09
SEA-WALL EXTENSION
The HarbOr Commission Decides
on a Western Section.
a Short but Important Meeting o: the Board
Attended by Many Prominent Citi-
zens Of North Beach.


Waterman, Mayor Pond, William d. En-
glish, Charles o. Alexander and Mr.
Brown; also big delegation from North
Beach, partly on its own account and partly
as representatives of the North Beach I'M
provement Club. Among them were Stew
art Menzies, John H. Wise, William S.
Merry, 0. Alexander, Charles Willmott, W.
S. Phelps, A. S. Hallidie, Supervisor Selden
S. Wright of the Second Ward, J. w. II.
Campbell and others.
Calling the meeting to order and stating
lis object, Chairman English explained that
he thought this a most suspicious season
to inaugurate this much-needed work, be-
cause the fund at the disposal of the board
is now in splendid condition and there
would be ample money to complete the
work without interfering at all with the
work already projected at the foot of
Market street.
you are sure you have money enough?"
asked Mayor Pond inquiringly.
PLENTY OF MONEY on HAND.
Oh, yes There is undoubtedly an
abundance" replied Mr. English. I'VE
now have S265, 600 on hand and we esti-
mate that it will only take about 100000
to do that work"
How much will it take" asked the
Mayor. ito finish the work now on hand at
the south end of the WALTZ"
About S13O,00O," replied Mr.. English"
''and besides there will be much coming
into the fund right along during the pro-
gress Of the work, quite enough to meet all
the expenses of the commission and still
have plenty lett"
Mayor Pond remarked that he was sorry
TO see the work now in hand at the foot of
Al, I, &c.
the most important portion OF the whole
city front and he hoped it might go through
TO completion without any further inter-
Tuption.
Mr.. English explained that so far as the
construction of the wall is concerned there
would be no interruption. The WORK would
go on the same as ever. But the plan to
tear down the ferry sheds for the purpose
of building the proposed grand depot would
be delayed until spring. 1t would be i'm
possible, he said, If commenced any time
this fall TO have the structure done. or even
under cover, before the winter sets in,
hence the great number of people who are
obliged TO use the ferry daily would be eX-
posed to the weather all wint CT long.
Not only had the railroad companies, but
great many of the people who would be
affected; asked to have this work postponed
until next spring, when 1t can be pushed
through to completion without any serious
inconvenience to the travelling public This
building would have to be delayed anyhow,
further explained Mr.. English, whether the
North Beach extension is decided upon or
not Neither would interfere with the
other in the least, and the latter can be
pushed ahead one seasOnas well as another.
DESIRED BY RESIDENTS.
John II. Wise formerly one Of the Har-
Dor Commissioners, and a very active men,
Der Of the North Beach Improvement Club,
said to the board that 1t is the unanimous
wish of the residents of North Beach thai
Of 10 Elaa-
made, and they hoped II might be COM
menced at once. The North Beach district
had suffered great deterioration in the past,
simply for the want OF proper shipping and
commercial facilities.
The residents had come to realize 1t more
and more clearly year by year. and are
now anxious to have these advantages OF
fered, and would be wi ling to Cooperate
to almost any extent in securing them. The
sea-wall extended from its present term
linus westerly to the foot of Van Ness ave
cue would not only bring the city an I'M
mense piece Uf made land, worth untold
thousands, but would extend the shipping
interests, give new lie TO that district, and
not detract one particle from other sections
of the city having the same advantages.
The resolution recently passed by the
Chamber of Commerce recommending this
proposed extension was then read.
Stewart MenZies, who said he had been
connected with the shipping interests Of
this city for forty years, stated thai the
strongest argument that could be made in
favor of this extension is the simple fact
that San Francisco does not possess the
shipping facilities that she requires. This
portion Of the sea-wall would furnish the
greatest amount Of facilities for the small
est outlay.
ENTITLED TO CONSIDERATION.
William L. Merry argued that if this por-
tion of the sea-wall were built hrst 1t would
increase the interests OF shipping generally
and greatly benefit that district in parlIcu-
lar, without causing corresponding de-
crease in any other district. Whereas, II
any other portion were built first, North
Beach would sutleT by not only failing to
reap some of the benefits of a legitimate
increase, but by actually going backward.
The North Beach district, be thought, is
entitled by position to the first consider
alton in the matter Of shipping and water
might become had been in a measure
demonstrated by the wonderful improve
ment that had followed the completion OF
the present sections.
Supervisor Wright said he was very glad
of an opportunity to present the claims Of
the northern portion of the city. He did
not feel that in doing so lie would be acting
against the interests OF any other portion.
To extend and improve the sea-wall as re-
quested, would simply be increasing the
city's facilities for shipping, while it would
in no respect detraet from the interests else
where ON the front. The northern portion
of the city, vast in proportion and practi-
cally without any available waterfront, is
one Of the oldest and most important parts
of the city, and he hoped that now the op-
poTtunity is offered, the board will give
il what it so Justly deserved, good and
complete waterfront.
ENGINEER MANSIONS REPORT.
EThe reading OF Engineer Mauson's re-
port, which accompanied his plans and
specifications of what would be required in
the construction of 1000 feet, followed the
discussion, and from it are taken the fol-
lowing extracts:
The character OF the bottom Of the bay in this
vicinity lie favorable 10 cheap and stable wall.
All souudings done in the past show that the
bottom is sand. The average depth of water
TO a depth OF eleven feet additional SO as TO
maintain a depth oil twenty-five feet at mean low
tide on the waller front ue. This material being
sand shonld be dumped in rear Of the stone en-
bankment as it progresses.
The volume to be dredged is 10000 cubic
yards, which volume IS deducted from the ear;n
MI. The iliing In Of this trench Will have to be
done rapidly, for should the sand drift back into
IT, between the lines OF dredging and tile lines OF
filling il with stone. tie object sought will be Ell.
tlTely lost. In past wall construction this
condition OF affairs has not existed as only soft
mud has gone back Into the dredged trench,
which material is easily forced cut by the denser
and heavier t0cs. Great care VIII therefore be
necessary 10 dredge and I'LL the trench sysIemat-
ieally.
The earth embankment is the same as has been
constructed In past work. There VIII De less
escape Of material from sliding and settling.
owing to the character OF the bottom. There is
large quantity Of excellent nlllng material
reaching the nOrlh end Of the city, aud extensive
grading OI,erdiOns are 10 contemplation. The
Rnarf will be the same that in use.
UNANIMOUSLY AGREED UPON.
as there seemed nothing further to be
said, the Chairman called upon the Secre-
tary to read the following resolution, which
was passed unanimously:
Tie Chief Engineer Of the board having sub.
mltted to lie board plaDs for tie construction OF
section of the sea-wal thoroughiare and
wharf, OH the water front of the city, commenc-
ing at the westerly end OF Section A. ana ex-
tending along said water-fTon line westerly for
distance OF 1000 feet, with a surface width OF
2OOO feet, and IL appearing TO the satisfaction OF
lie beard thai the funds now In tile San Fran
cisco HEIbOr Improvement Fund, together with
lie funds estimated TO accrue the credit OF
said fund up TO The date of the completion of
such geciiOn-f The construction thereof be
ordered-aftrr defueiHg me current expenses
Of tne commission ana The amount required 10.
f1e ereciinn ano IeIlliI ui me Wharves, dreuglng