The morning call., 1893-01-08
PAGO PAGO BAY.
Good Prospects for It's linz
prOvement.
The Work to Be Done by Local
Firm-How the New Wharf
Will Be Built.

Adyices received yesterday indicate that
local firm will secure the contract Tor
erecting wharf for the United States at
Page Pago Bay, on the island of Tutuia,
one of the Samoan group.
An appropriation of 500, 900 was made by
Congress for this purpose, of which $4,000
has already been expended for preliminary
work, leaving $4,000 available for the con-
struction of the wharf proper.
The wharf Is to be erected on the west
side of the bay, just at the point where it
turns in westerly direction. where 1t will
be most secure from the possible ravages OF
tidal waves or hurricanes, and where ample
space can be afforded for erecting coal
depOts, besides securing the depth of water
necessary for floating the largest ships.
The wharf itself will be T-shaped aud
will extend 256 feet from the shore. The main
trunk will be 90 feet long and thirty-five
feet wide, while the cross, which will ex-
tend along the bay, will b. 260 feet long and
thrty-five feet wide. The whole structure,
excepting the flooring which is 10 be of
creosOted Oregon pine three inches thick.
wifi be of iron. One hundred iron tubes
will be required ranging from eight to
twelve inches In diameter and from one
bali to one inch In thickness. All these
tubes are lapweded and Of different lengths
from the shore to the outer line OF the
wharf. where the water is sixty feet deep at
mean tide.
These tubes are to be driven In rows of
threes, sixteen feet apart from centers.
braced along and across by iron wayrods
and braces. The ravages of the teredo can
have no effect upon the iron pling, and it
will last for generations.
The bid made by Mcmahon & Son was
S78. 700; that of the Coronado Iron Works
was SS4. 800. In comparison to the bids
from this coast that of the Bath Iron Works
in Maine, OF $149500 may be mentioned as
that of liberal estimate.
The contractors have nineteen months in
which to complete the work, and are will
Ing and anxious 10 undertake It at once
even il the total amount of funds in the
Governments hands is not sufficient. The
| contractors believe that the balance OF
| S13 700 still lacking will be forthcoming at
the next Congress, and are willing to under
| take the task.
The amount of material that will be CON-
sumed may be estimated from the fact that
| 1t will take the full capacity Of 900-ton
| ship In order to convey it to its destination
| All OF the material VIII be Of local manu-
facture and shipped from this city. With the
completion OF This wharf the United States
Will have coalng station of ample capacity
situated most eligibly for all possible emer-
| gencies.
Pago Page Bay is situated in IA deg south
latitude and longitude III deg. west from
OTceuWlcU, anu ID ufSfrlDCQ as Oelng the
most magnificent bar6or IN the Pacific
| Ocean. 1t was acquired by the United
! States by treaty in 1872, and has never been
| suitably improved, though in use as coal
| ing sta ton by our vessels for years.
The growth of United States commercial
| Interests in southern seas compelled the
Government to have stations over which
| its authority was supreme, and the
| Samoans. quick to understand the adj
| yantages Of a protectorate by powerful
and friendly government, have never re-
| GREETED the cession OF the finest barber Of
| their beautiful islands. 1t Is said to be one
| Of great natural beauty. The mountains
| arise loftily on almost every side and it Is at
| all times easy OF ingress and exit. Ii is said
to be absolutely safe from hurricanes. At
some future date q telegraph cable across
| the Pacific is a possibility, an in that case
| Pago Page bay would be of the very high.
| est value as a way station.