The herald., 1894-09-30

| north and main part OF the harbor, q
vertical clay bluff about 60 feet high ex-
| tends to the water, and the waves wash
the base of it, undermining and bring
ing it down. At several points this
action was going on st the time of my
examination. 1t would be very difficult
to lay railroad tracks go as to connect
the upper tableland with wharves start
ing out below this bluff. AS the South
ern Pacific company owns nearly the
entire front OF the herbor on this side
with ite tracks laid along the bluff, it
would be difficult for any other railroad
company to gain convenient access to
the harbor area for its wharves and
suitable terminal tracks. The Southern
Pacific wharf WAS never carried out be-
yond l5 feet of water, as it was difficult
to place it. and as the company WAS
fearful of losing it by the waves had il
reached deep water. This was one of
the reasons for seeking a more favorable
location at some point farther north.
THE LOCATION AT SANTA MONICA
was the result of long and careful ex.
animation. with solndings, borings and
observation, and study OF wind and
wave conditions. The result OF these
studies, the accessibility of approaches
to deep water, and the short rail haul to
Los Angeles we're the principal reasons
for establishing an ocean terminal at this
point. The wharf is one of the most
substantial and convenient, not only for
the Southern Pacific, but for any other
road. There is ample width of fore
shore above high water under the bluff
for several tracks. The owners of this
property along the shore were not will
ing that any one road should have the
entire ownership, and therefore they
sold only 50-foot strip to the Southern
Pacific company. The right-of-wsy
maps and the photographs of the
vicinity show plenty Of room for several
more tracks the entire distance. This
feature is discussed further on more in
detail, in the review OF the report OF
the boards.
THE GREAT WHARF.
The wharf has been built since the
second board OF engineers made its ex-
animation. In order to safety myself
OF its substantial character obs
tanned from the chief engineer of
the road the plans and some de-
tails, and have also procured some
photographs of it. The com mpletion
of this wharf to deep water and it's
commercial use are new and important
features in determining the question of
the location of the breakwater. The
business ia already being done there,
and has been for nearly a year, to the
great advantage of this part of the
country. The cost of transportation in
large vessels from New York to Los An
geles, by way of this port, is now 75
cents ton less than by any of the other
ports where the freight has to be light
cred.
In my opinion, the building of a break
water at San Pedro will not accom- plish
what tho government desires; vessels
would no doubt still be lightered there
and the business would still 10 to Port
Los Angeles, and a breakwster would
ultimately have to be built there.
AS already stated. the facilities for
large business already exist there, and
do not and might not ever exiet at the
other points.
l have information that the ship Ja-
bez Howe of the Sutton & Co. line will
soon sail from New York with general
csrgo of about 2300 tons weight for Port
Los Angeles. and that probably 10000
ts9ns tts9.nIs pAF pAF, snnpm will be dispatched by
Port Los Angeles.
NECESSITY FOR A BREAKwATER.
Whichever point ia selected for pro-
tected harbor, breakwater is required.
A wharf into deep water would be an un-
safe berth for vessels in aouthwester,
and at other times, under unusually &C.
we're conditions of the sea, 1t would be
inconvenient to handle cargoee or to
hold vessels alongside OF the wharf. The
fact that there has been no necessity for
vessels to get away from the wharf at
Port Los Angeles during the last year is
to it's advantage, but it cannot be proven
from this that the necessity will not ex-
let in the future.
After comparison of conditions and
O careful examination and close study
of the reports of the two boards, and
taking into consideration the important
fact of the existence OF an ocean termin-
al pier, with large and convenient facili-
ties at Port Los Angeles, and of the ex-
istence OF none at any other point, am
of the opinion that the breskwater to
form fully protected harbor should be
built there III preference to any other
point.
REDoNDo AND BREAKwATER.
l have not taken up the question OF a
breakwater at Redondo, as it is mani
festly impractioable to build one there,
as will be- seen from the statement OF
the conditions and from the chart given
in the report of the board OF 1892.
agree with the board in its conclusions
upon floating breakwater, considering
that also impracticable.
1t is not necessary for me to take up
the details of location and construction.
That will be done by the United States
engineers alter congress- has decided III
favor Of location at Port Los Angeles.
There is no question in my mind
about the stability OF properly designed
and constructed breatwater at Port Los
Angeles.
/ have made some quite careful exam
nations to determine the
SOURCES OF ROCK FOR BUILDING
the works, with the following notes:
AT Catalina island, about 80 miles
from Port Los Angeles, there is quarry
OF fairly good rock of volcanic nat ure.
1t has been used for several years on the
government works at Wilmington har-
Dor and elsewhere, and while there is,
from Appearances, some rock there that
is not strong and durable, the mass of it
can, think, be relied upon. This rock
weighs about las pounds per cubic foot.
which ia the heavest of the four speci-
mens which i obtained by personal ex-
animation. II might possibly answer
for the exposed work, but would be bet
ter adapted for the base. Unfortunately