The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1894-08-06
THE CANAL PROJECT.
Its National Importance Adj
mitted by the Government.
REPORT OF NAVAL ENGINEERS.
Fun Text OF the Document-Ths Cost
Small Ia cemp.risoa with Advaat-
ages 60 Navy and commeree.

Anc appropriation Tor the Lake " ASH
ington canal. contsined in the river and
harbor bill. is an important victory for
the friends OF the measure and . most
perfect refutation Of the charges made b y
ITS enemies that the project was . purely
local scheme. The action Of congress IS
an acknowledgment OF the national inn
porfsnee Of the canal, as shown by the
report OF the engineers. given herewith.
The visit of Secretary Herbert TO Seattle
and Puget sound this summer vas fraught
with the highest import to the people of
this section. The secretary has sung the
praises Of the Sound and its people ever
since his return to Washington City. He
Is delighted with 1t from naval point Of
view. and If he can prevent II there will be
no let up on the construction OF the naval
dry dock at Port Orchard.
Immediately upon his return to Wash
ington City be seat board of engineers,
consisting Of p. c. Assessor, A. q. Memo
cal aud +. C. Prindle. three Of the most
prominent civil engineers in the naval
service. 20 make further examination Of
the dry dock with reference to some
change in the plans which the secretary
deemed advisable. At the request Of SEN
ator Squire these engineers also made q
| private examination of the proposed inn
provement Of the waterway between Lake
| Washington and Puget sound. Upon
their return % Washington City 3 few
days ago they were instructed by Secre-
| tary Herbert also at the request of Sena-
tor Squire, to make & report as TO its feas-
| Utility. A brief resume of that report was
| telegraphed, but its full text, giving the
reasons why the canal is considered mat
ter OF national importance, viii be good
reading to every one interested in the
states progress. The report Is as follows:
NAVY DEPARTMESr.
"WAsHINGTos CRY. July q, 1884,
ITO the Honorable Secretary of the
| Navy-lSir: We have the honor respect
fully TO acknowledge the receipt of the
| Hon. W. Z. Squire's letter of the 18th inst.
/ by reference for brief expression of opin-
Ion In regard 10 the project of the pre-
posed improvement of the waterway be-
tween Lake Washington and Puget sound,
and TO state as follows:
I'VE have. as engineers, been more or
less familiar with this project OF connect
| ing these waters. and interested In its
study and development, professionally. Tor
some years past. and during our recent
visit to the Sound on public duty in con-
| nection with the dry dock construction at
the naval station At Port Orchard. we
| awaited ourselves of the opportunity of
visiting the locality.
Our observations at that time have
| only served to confirm the conclusions
! previously formed as TO the entire feasibii-
| ity of the project, and the great value
| which access to Lake Washington would
large.
"The navy needs such sheltered. fresh
water harbor with good anchorage for
laying up its steel vessels, etc, as neces-
sary adjunct of the navy yard in the
| Sound, such rs is now awaited of In the
waters OF the Delaware and James rivers
| in the North Atlantic coast as the de-
ter:oration of steel and iron bottoms in
| sea waters is we'll known to be very great,
| both from fouling and corrosion, and their
| life and efficiency would be much pro.
longed by laying them up in 1t when not
| in commission.
"The great activity Of the teredo In the
waters of the Sound renders ali timber
| construction of wharyes, trestles. coal
| bunkers, etc, along the harbor and navy
yard fronts very costly. both to build and
maintain, while the limited anchorage
! ground obtainable in the harbor and the
great range of tides at once increases the
| necessity for extensive wharfage construc-
tions in deep water.
"All these disadvantages and obstacles
| to commerce would be overcome by the
improvement OF this waterway TO make
the fresh waters of the lake accessible as
proposed.
1.-THE cost of this work appears to be
small in comparison with the very great
advantages TO the navy and commerce
| which It's construction would secure.
"If there be no serious objections TO the
| lowering of Lake Washington to tho level
| of Lake Union. which seems much to be
| desired. and there appears to be no engi-
neering difficulties in the way. access to
both lakes would then be had through the
single lock as projected and required at
| the outlet into the Sound, thus bringing
the fresh waters of Salmon bay and Lakes
| Union and Washington all To the border
| of the Sound. and saving both time and
| cost in reaching them.
THE existence of this fine sheltered and
tideless fresh water harbor on this coast,
/ situated as IL is in such a mild climate, IN
| the midst of great natural resources al
| ready skirted by railways aud reached
| direct py three transcontinental lines, and
1 its proximity to our naval station, requir-
ing such an adjunct. would seem to raise
| this question of its availability By this
| proposed Improvement of the waterway to
! one of national importance. Very respect
fully. Il. Z. ASSERTION,
"Civil Engineer, u. $ Navy.
"A. G. MKSocAL,
Civil Engineer, u. :. Navy.
~. c. PRlspLE,
civil Engineer, u. :. Navy"