The Austin weekly statesman. (Austin, Tex.) 1883-1898, 1892-09-22
VICTORIOUS VELASCO.
SHE HAS DEEP WATER AND Is VERY
PROUD OF IT:
What an Old Sea Captain Says Of His
Experience in Running a Big Steamer
In and Out Of That Port.
Correspondence to The Statesman.

Correspondence to The Statesman.
VELAsco, Tex, Sept. 12.-Captain
William Richardson of the British
steamer, "Blue Star" which finished
loading at the Velasco wharf on Sat-
urday last and dropped down the
river and out through the jetties and
across the bar where she ia now an
chored, came up to the city Monday
morning and was asked for state
ment, giving his experience as master
of a steamer in this new port and his
opinion of Velasco and it's prospects
for the future as port of entry for
large steamers. The captain unhesi-
tatingly submitted the following
statement which he signs:
knew absolutely nothing abou
Velasco until was ordered to come
here, and found it much better in
every way than 1 expected from re-
ports. 1 had no difficulty what ,ver
In entering the mouth of the Brazos
and in getting up the river. found q
substantial wharf we'll raised above
high water mark and with
from sixteen to seventeen
feet of water alongside of
it at low water with a bottom of soft
mud and very even. A ship cannot
possibly receive any injury while
lying at this wharf The facilities for
loading are similar and quite equal to
any port have visited in the United
States. There is also good supply
of water on the wharf with plenty of
force behind it, and it can be put into
the hold of ship in a very few min
utes in case of fire.
l took in about $50 tons of freight
per day, working two gangs, and
could have doubled this if the cargo
had been at hand. found good COW
cred sheds alongside the ship, and
the railroad cars within fifty feet OF
the ships side. 1 loaded to depth
of Is feet 6 inches aft and 15 feet 8
inches forward and found 16 feet l
inch at the shoalest place in the river,
which lie now being deepened. -
In proceeding to sea l found little
difficulty in getting around the worst
bend in the river, butnothing serious,
or what cannot be easily overcome
with care in handling a ship. L got
to Quintana at the mouth
of the river without touching
or sustaining the least damage. and
found it blowing gale OF wind and
was compelled to moor the ship until
the gale moderated. found a berth
provided for mooring with good posts
to hold the ship and piles to keep her
off the bank. A ship can lay there In
all weather in perfect safety. On this
morning, the 18th of September, L
proceeded over the bar in perfect safe
ty without touching anything, al.
though there was strong westerly
current running and slight swell on,
could have easily gone over this bar
drawing another foot of water, but
thought it better not to take any risks.
see nothing to prevent Velasco
becoming good and safe port for the
largest class of steamers. There are
no engineering difficulties, in my
opinion, but what can be easily over
come. A strengthening of the big
bend in the river and deepening 1t
and carrying the jetty work forward
will do the work and remove the bar
which consists of mud and can be
speedily removed. =,
MY vessel is $3.50 tons dead weight
capacity, 800 feet on the keel and 3lt
feet long over all, 38 feet 8 inches
beam and draws, when fully laden
feet of water. This vessel has ex'
perienced no difficulty in this river
which will compare favorably with
most rivers have entered in 81 years
experience as a sailor and 16 years o
that time as commander of a steamer,
sailing in all waters of the globe, and
will it compare favorabiy
with such rivers as the Bull river III
South Carolina, the Danube, the Bug
river in Russia and the Meme ano
Ouse rivers in England, and we take
steamers quite as la rye as this uE
these rivers.
WILLIAM RICHARDSON,
Master Steamer "Blue STAR