Los Angeles herald., 1892-09-09


"You get the greatest swell with the
southwest wind, and when it goei
| around to the northwest, 1t is a sign
with us that the storm is gone.
knew q vessel that rode out storm out
side. It was in 27 feet of water; she
drew 15 feet, and got in the trough ol
the sea and dropped twelve feet, break
ing off the keel, though she did not drag
her anchors.
Catalina island affords much shelter
to San Pedro. The ocean side OF Cata.
| lima is always rough. Catalina is in q
measure natural breakwater for San
Pedro"
Captain Hawthorn, of San Pedro
said IT have been a shipmaster about
San Pedro five years, and have anchored
off the port with 1700-ton ship and
found good holding ground. think
it an excellent place for deep-sea har-
Dor. have held on there and rode out
| storm"
Captain Hamilton, of San Pedro,
said: II have been master of vessel
| for twelve years, and for nine years run
ming to San Pedro steady. Have been
running a steamer for the past five
years. have never had but one anchor
down when anchored outside in riding
out storm. There is good anchorage
ground if you don't get too far to the
lee in southeast gale.
II never anchor outside of eight or
nine fathoms of water. Inever have an
chored in Santa Monica bay. Our
southeast winds are our gale winds.
We have sometimes two or three of
them year, occurring in the winter sea-
son, lasting two or three days, though
they generally blow but twenty-four
hours.
The submerged reef running southerly
from Point Firmin is a natural protec.
tion to the harbor. There is six or
eight feet of water on it, and I have
seen vessel wrecked there.'
Captain McVickers said: s'I have
been running to San Pedro thirteen
years, and seven years have been mas
ter. When I have reached San Pedro
have always anchored in the outer har-
Dor. / have never dragged nor used
but one anchor"
Captain Radcliff said: "I have been
running from San Pedro harbor seven
teen years. The ship America and the
bark San Luis, while anchored off San
Pedro, both parted chains, and were
wrecked. When vessel will part her
chains before she will drag her anchor it
shows good holding ground"
ARGUING FOR SANTA MONICA.
Santa Monica's side was then intro
duced. This was managed by Senator
Carpenter, who opened by presentation
of facts prepared by the town trustees
of Santa Monica, setting forth points of
advantage of that bay for a breakwater
and harbor. The report is as follows:
At Santa Monica there are no sloughs
or swampH to interfere with or render
expensive the use OF the frontage pro-
tected by breakwater. All the 'front.'
age protected would be available for
wharves without piling or other expen-
ses for the approaches. The business
that would be conducted at present in
harbor, such as proposed, would be
extensive. The presumption is reason
able that such business would grow, not
country, but also by reason of the facil-
ity OF the approach from the interior
through the low grades of the passes,
the absence of snow, and the favorable
climate.
A harbor constructed to accommodate
the present business OF Los Angeles
could, at Santa Monica, be indefinitely
extended. When we consider the large
wharf frontage required for the transac-
tion OF business in good and conven-
iently located harbors, say as at San
Francisco, ten or fifteen miles of such
frontage may reasonably be expected to
be eventually necessary. Santa Monica
bay offers this frontage for the eventual
extension of the deep sea harbor, should
the business warrant it. In building a
harbor at this point, the government
would be guaranteed in having room
enough to enlarge it to meet the re-
quirements of any future trade. The
irrigation of Arizona lands. and conse-
quently increased products from that
section, together with the rapid growth
of the whole southwest, would, under
good facilities, support large coast
commerce.
The extension of American commerce
on the Pacific, and the completion of the
Nicaragua canal would likewise give
large business to a harbor at this point.
1t may be noted that the nearest avail
able harbor to Los Angeles is at present
at San Diego, 120 miles distant, and that
the inter vening grades are heavy and
expensive to work. To the north the
nearest harbor is San Francisco, 480
miles distant, with heavy grades to sur
mount. In the eastern states, on the
Atlantic coast, no such vast extent of
seaboard is without numerous harbors.
Los Angeles being situated at the only
natural break in the mountain chains
separating California from the interior
is eminently deserving of being aided
by the government in the construction
OF deep-sea harbor. In serving Los
Angeles, the. whole southwest, and in
fact the whole ten states are likewise
accommodated with the best outlet for
Pacific commerce.
ADVANTAGES OF SANTA MONICA AS REGARDS
DISTANCE.
Every mile Of distance and every hour
of time saved in transportation is so
much gained, and other things being
equal, should decide the location of s
harbor at the point most favorably sit
mated. Our large and heavy business,
lumber, coal, and merchandise, is now
with San Francisco and other points
north. Santa Monica -is nearer these
points than any other in this county.
It is also the nearest to Los Angeles
city.
In this connection it may be observed
that natural causes force the future
growth Of Los Angeles westward. Every
increment to the population of this rail-
road center brings it nearer to Santa
Monica. Eventually it may he surmised
| that Los Angeles itself will extend to