Los Angeles herald., 1891-08-05
SANTA MONICA HARB0R.
THE SEASIDE BOARD OF TRADE
SCORES SEVERAL POINTS.
Santa Monica Should Be the Port of
Los Angeles-A Long List.

chamber OF commerce explains Itself:
In pursuance OF the polite invitation
OF the Los Angeles chamber of COM
merce, the Santa Monica board of trade
begs to submit the following brief sum-
mary of some of the reasons why the
deep sea harbor of Los Angeles should
be located at this point.
Los Angeles is the commercial capital
OF Southern California. Utah, Arizona,
Southern Nevada, and the natural Pa
cfic outlet of vast extent of territory.
The railroads tributary to it are not i'm
peded by snow nor distressed by heavy
grades. 1t is railroad center today,
and promises are fair that it will be the
railroad center OF the Pacific coast.
Los Angeles must be great city. One
disadvantage which delays her advance
and prevents due fulfillment of the
duty she should perform to the mer-
chants and producers who deal through
her is the lack of proper harbor facili-
ties.
1t is this lack which Los Angeles
should supply. 1t is this point that
the intelligence and public spirit of the
Los Angeles chamber of commerce has
most properly taken in hand.
Los Angeles, like all American cities,
is growing westward. She grows to q
connection with the sea at Santa Monica.
Every year lessons the gap between
her and the Pacific at Santa Monica.
When Los Angeles enters her imperial
destiny Santa Monica will be within her
city limits. Santa Monica consequently
is the neutral point. the nearest point,
and other things being equal, the best
point for the creation of deep sea har
bor for the traders and merchants of
our metropolis.
Santa Monica is a railroad center. The
great Southern Pacific is here. The
Atchison connection is in construction
through the Surf line. The Los Angeles
and Pacific, duly constructed, is about to
be reopened, other great lines are
chartered to come here. Eighteen
miles from the San Fernando
street station is the sea, the
distance to be bridged, however, by
these new lines between the suburbs of
the two places is about eight miles to-
day; in few years more this gap will
not exist.
Santa Monica bay is absolutely secure
against the only storm wind OF this coast ;
the southeaster comes off the land at
this point. A ship within breakwater
could ride as safely as in canal lock.
Santa Monica itself is especially shell
tered by her mountains to Point Dune
from the annoying northwest wind. A
harbor here would be absolutely free
from all disadvantageous winds, On the
other hand the regular coast trade wind
blows steadily and regularly, which, to-
gether with the absence of rocks, shoals,
or any dangers, make this point the
easiest OF approach and departure. for all
classef of vessels on the county coast.
Immediately at Santa Monica there is
less fog than at any other point on this
coast.
The soundings of the United States
coast survey at this point show that the
conditions of the ocean bottom are in
| the highest degree favorable for the
construction of breakwater. AS a
deep sea harbor must be created on this
coast independently OF any former work
done either by private persons or by
government, these favorable soundings
are of the first Importance.
Our largest sea-going commerce today
is to San Francisco and the north.
/ Sdutd u1OAlCd 10 uAiO AAOoAOCo POiAe VI
the coast between Los Angeles and this
section. Miles of distance and hours o.
time would be saved by landing here
as over any other available place.
Owing to the bluffs, points and noun
tains at Santa Monica deep sea harbo]
here would be especially easy of de
tense.
No stream or current enters the sea q
Santa Monica that would carry debri
to choke up harbor formed at thi
point :.
The old wharf at Santa Monica facili
tated greatly the commerce of Los An
geles; great vessels and the larges
steamers landed their freights here t.
the advantage of the producers and mer
chants of the, county, so Santa Monies
may again and better serve the grea
interests of her imperial neighbor.
The splendid government reservation
for the old soldiers is at hand for cen
trail station for the army. Nothing
could interest the old soldiers more thar
an adjoining establishment of activ
troops with the pomps, drills and exer
cises of military life. At Santa Monies
everything is in readiness for the estab
lish ment Of the best harbor, with n
exceptions, on the Pacific coast.
ABBOT KINNEY,
E. j. VAwTER,
Il rs r. Fl SwrETsER