Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1893-02-10
The Georgetown Water Front.

From the Financial Review.
II Congress permits the Norfolk and Western
railroad to enter Georgetown without too re-
strictive conditions it should open new fields for
the commercial and manufac turing interests OF
this District. Such conditions as are necessary
for the protection of the public, either as safe
guards for life and property or as limitations
upon future monopoly, should be imposed.
Such conditions as are simply intended to load
down the enterprise in the interest of rival cor
pOrations should be avoided. 1t will be quite
easy to determine under which of these heads
proposed amendments should be classed. Our
citizens can thus readily test the good faith of
those who NAV offer them.
Few people have reflected upon the natural
advantages of the Georgetown water front
which will be stimulated and developed by the
construction and operation of this railroad
Even in this nation of extended waterways this
Is one of the comparatively few points where
mill power ana tide water meet under large con-
ditions. In its rapid descent from the Great
Falls the Potomac river and the canal at
Georgetown furnish a water power which in
volume, in congtancy of flow and in conven-
fence of control is equaled by few other points
In this country, and is surpassed by none. The
main channel of the river comes through the
Long bridge opposite to Washington and hug
ging near to the Virginia shore, but then
defects to Georgetown. that there are
some thirty feet of water at the
wharves, and minimum depth of nineteen
feet OF water from thence down the river to
Chesapeake bay. Mills run by never-failing
water power can thus load their products direct
into the sea-going vessel. Along the narrow
strip Of from 100 to 200 feet between the canal
and the river lies Water street, which is the
proposed route of the Norfolk and Western
road. One can readily perceive the manufact-
uring and shipping facilities of this route when
cemented together and fed by the possibilities
of the railroad. II directed by a wise foresight
and by liberality of treatment the Georgetown
water front should. under these conditions. be-
como the best commercial and manufacturing
location in this District
As is well known the channel in immediate
front of Washington does not extend further up
the river, and has furnished at ma ximum depth
only sixteen feet OF water. That has only been
secured by continuous dredging, and it is ex-
pected to be maintained by system of suice
gater in the upper part of the reclaimed flats.
Ii Is probable that thirteen feet of water will
come nearer to the fact upon the average. and
the channel Is scarcely wide enough to permit
of the turning OF a steamboat. These restricted
conditions will not improve. They may be ex-
pected to grow worse in time. That is the his
tory OF any channel kept open by artificial
means. Large tobacco warehouses once pros
pered ut Bladensburg. and vessels of consider
able size formerly loaded at its wharves. Now
hatboat OF few inches draft will ascend the
Eastern branch any distance only il favorable
stages OF the tide.
Some capable men believe that in time the
wharf frontage of Washington will be upon the
NiTginIa channel on the southern edge OF the
reclaimed flats, and where the main waterway
OF the Potomac flows down from Georgetown.
This is possible. but remote. Iu would seem
probable that the long haul across the flats
which will be maintained public park, will
operate as a bar to any economical use of that
water front. Still it must be remarked that all
these minor incidents will in time yield to the
necessities of large population and time
therefore will solve this problem. But in the
meantime the advantages Of the Georgetown
water front are existing and exceptional. They
are within our grasp. Let us not fail to utilize
them.