The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-06-22
THE RIVAL DESIGNS.
symons and Stixrud on Their
Waterways
PLANS BEFORE The CHAMBER.
Meeting of Citizens 60 Coasfdsr the
Harbor Pfans-Cspt. symeng
Generally Endorsed.


ing at largely attended meeting OF the
Chamber Of Commerce and citizens gener-
ally which was held at the Chamber Of
Commerce. rooms. The resolution indoors
ing the plans was adopted almost unani-
mously, J. J. McGilvra. the mover OF an
amendment, casting the only opposing
vote.
Before the meeting was called 70 order
by Vice President Thomas W. Prosch, Of
the Chamber Of Commerce. those present
inspected the two alternative plans, blue
print Of the waterways proposed By Engi-
neer VI. EtIxrud for the state land COM
mission, and tracing showing the plans
OF Mr.. stixrud and Of Capt Symons.
While the speakers did not spare criticism
OF Mr.. SHRUBS plans, they recognized
that they had merit and did not dctract at
all from his high reputation Is an engi-
neer but the weight Of opinion was over
whelmingly in favor Of the symons piaa.
Vice President Prosch opened the meet
ing by stating its objects and reviewing
the proceedings Of the last meeting. The
state land commission had asked the
opinion Of the citizens and they were 81
liberty 10 speak on the plans.
At the suggestion of ID. f. Durie, Nj.
Stixrnd, the engineer of the commission,
explained the advantages Of his plan. On
each side OF the 500-ioot channel was
tidal basin with three waterways running
into il, connecting with the bay by double
locks, the whole having frontage OF nine
and one-half miles. There were At the
south end OF the waterways two railroad
yards. with tracks running east and west
respectively. The idea Was TO make
large area between the waterways with
coo fee on each side aud six tracks, all
running TO the yards at the south, where
switching would be done. The railroads
from the north could also swing into the
game system. Ii was not necessary TO
construct the whole system before any part
could be used: for instance the locks need
not be built at first, one arm OF the water
ways could be built and then another and
so on. In reply TO Capt. Symons' criticism
he said nobody contemplated running the
sewage into the basins, but directly into
the bay. They could carry 1t from the
basins by inverted syphons out TO deep
water. Then the silt carried in suspen-
sion would mix with sewage. sddies
would form and dredging would be neces-
gary all the time with the Symonc plan.
waterways would require az least two
tracks. which would waste good deal of
space. They would also need six tracks
20 run down to the canal and, having no
room TO reduce the number. would have
TO cross with drawbridge six tracks wide,
and they would need three DIR awbridges
On his plan they had no drawbridges
across the waterways. and all the trans
could be made up and the switching done
In the yards to the south. His plan only
required short drawbridgcs on the south
channel. As regards the difficulties of
construction. they would have TO exca-
vats twenty Ave feet below low tide and
the fresh water would remain on the
surface. being of less specific gravity. AS
regards bis plan, the tracks on the water
front would do the transferring TO and
from shipbosrd, and those on the inner
streets would carry the manufacturing
business. The outer tracks would carry
travelling cranes their whole length, while
Capt Symons' plan would require crane
on each wharf. AS regards coat, the bulk
heading under his plan had been esti-
mated by Capt. Symons at SO front
foot, while under Symons' plan 10 was put
~ only IS. and he failed to see where the
difference in cost arose.
d. Il. Durie then explained the advant-
ages of Capt. Symons' plan as a member
Of the Chamber of Commerce committee
on waterways. He recalled the legislation
In regard 20 waterways, and said ii was
necessary that the harbor lines aud water
ways be laid ont at the same time. The
chamber had adopted plan of waterways
aud submitted u TO the state land commits
sion. though some thought Il did not pro-
vide enough room for the future growth OF
the city. Stili. they did not want TO wait
fifty years, but wanted TO have some uso
OF the facilities IN this generation. They
were in close competition with other cities.
which had measnrably as good harbors,
and they must be prepared 10 meet IT,
But the first thing they knew news came
from Olympia that an entirely different
plan had been prepared and was about 10
be adopted by the land commission. Capt.
symons was here TO examine the prac-
ticahslity of a canal 10 Lake Washington
aud the commissioners had asked him TO
report on the best system of waterways
through the tide fats. Capt Symons had
drawn up report.
Secretary w. III. Whittlesey then read
the following report from Capt Symons to
the land commissioners
Agreeable to your request, have the
honor 60 hand you herewith a map OF
Seattle hsrbor. on which have laid down
IN blue the haFoor lines and WATERWAYS
aleng aud In the tide fats of the southern
part of the harbor. which recommend
for adoption. The plan outlined Is, be-
lieye, the best that can be adopted; IL
guards every interest as far as known
raFOFldes IN a reasonable unauaer far axars
contingency 50 far as now can be foreseen.
70 capable ofimmediate execution and will
furnish the maximum of accommodation
20 commerce at the minimum OF expense
The minimum Of railroad traekags will
reach every portion Of the water front on
the NAN bay and waterways. These
lines. / believe. would receive the APP
prevail OF the war department II brought
before IL with the addition that the
department would probably establish pier
head lines ia the main waterway.
"fhe plan as submitted ~, in nay
opinion, superior 10 the plan shown IN
red upon your maps Upon this plan ia
rsd / comment as follows:
'Flrst-tt provides Tor Eve long aud
Marrow waterways or slips. each 80 feet
vide. these are respectively s,i0o, s. boo
400. 8 SO and ?. 500 feet in length. These
long sips would have deem water adjacent
90 theiE limiting balkheads and ia eonse-
aaenos tnese bulkhcaas or sea walls along
their entire length would be very sxpeu-
sivc. No circulation OF water is provided
ioF IN tares 81 these long alps. These
alps, vita she newamlsh waterway.
make SIX waterways across the tide ilatS
~ be crossed BY bridges. Ia Consequence
Of their grest length, na-roxncsS aud the
bridges necessary erossing them. these
alps Ncuid have Little value exosps near
tie basins,