Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1895-01-31
THE GHINCOTEAGUE CANAL.
Delaware Called Upon to Endorse 1t
Instead of the Back Creek Route.

The "Maryland Farmer" an Important
Baltimore journal, Gives Its Arguments
for a Preference for the ChIncoteague
canal Route as Opposed to That Already
Favorably Reported Upon.
Maryland Farmer.
We published in the August number Of
the Maryland Farmer a very interesting
article by Mr.. A. Sterile, assistant engi-
neer, Wilmington, Del, on the inland
waterway from Delaware bay to Ohinco-
league inlet, accompanied by map show
ing the route Of this waterway through
Indian river, Assawaman river, 81.
Martins river, Isle of Wight bay and
Synepuxent bay to Chincoteague inlet.
leading through said inlet into the Atlantic
ocean. This canal already in progress Of
construction, traverses very important
portion of the State of Maryland, running
through the eastern section of Worcester
county. opening up an immense area of
undeyeloped property to traffic and com
merce, and afrording that part of our
State valuable outlet for its products be-
sides adding greatly TO the value OF land
contiguous to the canal and increasing the
taxable basis of the county and state,
The article of Mr.. Sterile has been extern
sirely copied by the leading papers of the
State, and much interest has been
awakened to the importance of the project.
The EVERY EVENING of Wilmington, hav-
| ing an eye to the interests of Delaware as
| we'll as general interest in the subject
also published the article with some perth
nent suggestions, The State of Delaware is
largely concerned in the enterprise, for this
canal passes through busy section of her
| territory and will contribute to its IN
creased wealth and profit.
We doubt if thu Delaware ship canal
will ever be built. The recent report of
the commissioners in recommending the
| Back creek route, mainly on account of
| its military and naval advantages to the
government, has caused considerable criti-
clsm pro and con, and seems to have alien
ated some of the earnest workers for u
ship canal who desired both the military
advantages to the government and COM
mercial advantages for the city of Balti-
| more.
If then the ship canal is not practicable
at present and thus becomes a dead issue,
why not concentrate upon canal which
will advance the interests of the State of
Maryland as we'll as those of the govern
ment. The building of the inland water
way will do both. Running as il does
parallel with the ocean throughout its
entire course and having safe entrance
from the Delaware bay, it can be enlarged
over Its present capacity, If necessary, and
afford good harbor for naval ships in
time of war, and protection as we'll,
But 1t Is not so much in this aspect that
we desire to impress the public; we wish to
emphasize its commercial advantages.
This waterway completed will give to the
State an immense area of the best inland
protected oyster beds now undeveloped; it
will add largely to the lumber trade, OF
that section of our State it will open up
large tracts of land now inaccessible for
want of proper facilities for transporta-
ton OF its produce; it will foster and
encourage manufacturing industries to
locate along the line of the canal; it will
offer to large population direct market
for the natural products of the soil; it will
promote the building of large city
around the entrance of the canal on the
Delaware bay near Lewes, thereby making
even u nearer market than Philadelphia;
il will do for the eastern portion of Mary
land what was proposed to be done for
the city of Baltimore by the construction
of the ship canal, increase its commerce
and aid in its general development bring.
ing out resources now paralyzed for the
want of direct water communication with
d market. Besides all this. it will place
Ocean City, Marylands Getty by the Sea"
in close touch with Philadelphia by q
direct water line.
The cost of the canal will be small in
comparison to the advantages to be de
rived in its construction. The govern
ment has already expended a considerable
sum in its building. Being government
canal no stock issues can enter into the
project. What is needed is united effort
on the part of the press of this State anC
Delaware, and JOINT action ON the par
of its representation in Congress to ask
and insist upon further appropriations tc
complete this great and important work,
| NOW is the OppOrtune time.