Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1892-10-13
Thursdays Meeting at Bonn.
bay Hook Island.
PENNSYLV WANNA AND DELAWARE
Argument Heard on Either
Side of the Question.


developed into the probability Of a Joint
quarantine establishment for the states
of Pennsylvania and Delaware arose
from the disquietude of the Chester
folks in regard to the near contiguity Of
the Tinicum Island quarantine, which is
only II miles from the centre of that
city.
Its near existence to the Chester peo-
pie has always been obnoxious to the
inhabitants and very strong argument
has always been made that it has boon
and is hurtful to the prosperity Of the
town.
Agitation in the direction of some
change has been going on for some
years.
In 1885 the state board of health of
Pennsylvania was established. During
the first year of the organization reso-
luton was introduced requesting the
governor Of Pennsylvania to communi-
cate with the general government and
neighboring states with view to con-
slider the expediency of establishing a
joint quarantine station by the United
States government, Pennsylvania, Della
ware and New Jersey, if the last men
toned state saw fit.
No action was taken on this sugges-
ton until resolution was introduced at
Harrisburg during the legislative session
of 1891 establishing commission with
the present object in view.
These commissioners comprise John
Huggard, Philadelphia; Andrew Os-
borne, Delaware county; DIR. Henry
Lehman of Philadelphia, at that time
port. physician of the city, and Dr.
Benjamin Lee, secretary Of the state
board of health of Pennsylvania.
Similar action was taken by the State
of Delaware and the governorappointed
4. r. Cochran and j. Thomas Budd of
Middletown, and DR.. James Orr, the
United States quarantine physician at
Lewes. The last mentioned gentleman
was appointed in view of his being the
United States surgeon at the quarantine
hospital.
In connection with Thursdays trip
of investigation, DIR. Lee received a tele-
gram from Surgeon-general Wyman of
Washington, d. c., representing the
United States government, regretting
that he was unable to join the two COM
missions Thursday.
AAAi@ ''A~ " i-' " " shiNENN
1t is conceded fact that the national
quarantine at Lewes is for some reasons
unsuited and unequal to the demands
for which it has been established Dur.
ing rough weather it is next to impos-
sible to board vessels. Fumigation in
many cases is accomplished with diff
Guilty. Also there is no inner anchorage
for deep draught vessels.
In regard to the lazaretto at Tinicum
Island, it is now claimed to be posi-
tive danger to Philadelphia.
In respect to the question of ulterior
action, one Of the Pennsylvania com
missioners explained Thursday that his
commission is not empowered in any
way to report on the question as to
whether the Iinicum station should be
removed; they are simply permitted to
lind out whether u point remote from
the centres Of population at which u
station can be established could be
found, and to ascertain whether the CO.
operation of the State of Delaware and
the United States government was OBJ
tainablc
The interest that the United States
government has in the matter is the
possibility Of giving up the station at
Lewes and Incorporating with the pro-
posed quarantine at Bombay Hook.
The Pennsylvania commission will
report to the governor Of that state,
who will send his statement to the legis-
lature.
The general idea seems to be that
there will be an interstate quarantine
station established; Pennsylvania to
purchase property, erect buildings, take
entire charge and To pay all running eX-
renses at bombay Hook.
The two commissions will approve a
site, probably Bombay Hook, the legis-
latures will then take action, which in
the case of PENNSYLVANIA would, in ad-
dItion to other matters, comprise that
OF passing an appropriation to pay the
cost OF erecting buildings, a.,
COMMISSIONER BuDp.
Quarantine Commissioner of Della
ware j. Thomas Budd spoke as follows
in respect to the Bombay Hook site
The island is on the northeast coast of
Kent county. 1t is about seven miles
long, extending from Duck creek on
the north to an arm Of Delaware bay on
the SOUTH On the west ii is separated
from the mainland by zone OF marsh
and tidal water two miles wide.
There is on this island tract about
7 900 acres. Of this about 1000 stands
fifteen feet above sea level. IL is
rich, arabic land, producing cereals
ahd grass luxuriantly. The remainder
is reclaimed and unreclaimed marsh.
The reclaimed land produces all the
cereals and the unreclalmed marsh nay
to the extent of one to three tons OF hay
TO the acre.
rs noted particularly for fruits and
has originated some of the finest varieties
of peaches seen in Delaware.
The island is divided into four owner
ships, which are again subdiyided, max
ing nine farms equipped with farm
buildings.
1t is hard sand beach the entire
frontage of the island. The fishing of
Delaware bay begins at this point. st.
Johns Island is opposite the southern
end OF the island. Oysters are in abund-
ance all along the island. The timber
is principally oak, poplar, cedar, wal
nut and locust. The soil of the upland
is a rich, reddish yellow sandy loan.
The central part of the island is now
used as the terminal for the steamer
Thomas Clyde Excursion Company.
Woodland Beach is the only hotel on
the island.
The Baltimore d Delaware railroad
have their track extending from Wood
land Beach TO Chestertown, Md, dis
tance of 40 miles.
Immediately opposite on the Jersey