The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-11-14

busy and energetic people, embracing
the citizenship Of the country at large,
and not merely local. the result of the
expenditure being clearly national
benent.
1t is doubtful whether any port can
snow, pro rata, greater return for the
public funds spent within its confines TO
the general public. than can this harbor
OF Norfolk and Portsmouth
HMEBOR IMPROVEMENTS.
Feeling that this Is so, the State Board
OF Harbor Commissioners approaches
the proper authorities with confidence
to ask that the points which construct
our harbor and which, while they re-
main, render safety OF navigation, as
that navigation to-day exists. and
which Is steadily growing. unsafe to life
anu property, both private and public.
The first of these points in Importance
Is the Hospital point, owned by the
government. This point is on the
north and wet side of the man channel
or the Elizabeth river, Immediately op-
poSlte tothe InUst crowded part of wharf
and pier property of Norfolk city. Ii
JUS out into the liver Just where the
Southern and Eastern Branches effect n
Junction. forming an angie say OF from
north TO northwest. or west northwest
Around this polri. which creates a stric-
ture, ~ vast proportion OF the craft of
all Sor.s NAVIGATING our harbor passes
all WcatherS. Constant danger exists in
consequence II life and property. and
constant loss of time. m element so os-
sential in ;hcse days TO prosperity. So
narrow is tliis particular point in the
river that It Is growing - be next 10
Impossible TO properly handle the steam
ships of 500 and 500 feet lengths which
traverse IT, ThcFc vehicles of trade
grow longer ana wider and deeper each
succeeding year, ana that our po.t may
be equal to the demands made upon l.;
II Is imperative in the Judgment of :he
State ECard of iIarb0r Commissioners
;htt the Government afford the relief
asked for, ana cut away this point four
or five hundred feet. Widening the chan
mol way 10 the westward ana southwark
aion% the n1ts on the Portsmouth side
to the North street wEarvcs OF the Sea-
board Air Line in like proportion. Such
cuttinS hw5y would add Immensely TO
the efficiency OF this harhor, both rs =
harbor for commercial E,u. poses and as
n naval staten, making i; rs to the lat
tcr-suillcient depth being given-;hc
SITES. ard most ssTv!caable station ON
the Atlantic Seaboard
The second point is the abutment Of
the old drawbridgc, located u; stated
on the Eastern Branch. hll along this
Eastern Branch of the river IS a contin-
nous solid Wharfage front. extending
from point opposite the Hospital point;
eastward for about two miles on the
Norfolk city side To the elevators and
coal piers and freight and passenger sta
ton of the Norfolk and Western Rail-
way Company, the railway property cX-
tending FAR above this abu;mcn;.
on this side tsou.h) where the abut-
nsnt is, a:e located large saw-m:n prop
critics. These wharf properties on both
co,,;,,,crco ,sc,,,,.ii,.r ~ a','
t,,, ,,,o;,,, ~ i,S,, W ~ ~,
.1I,,,,,,rt 49,, ,,i i'e
.ifc ya,.a -, -. no IfH.,,f.ri :" ,' 49,,
We b,,s,S - 49,. t,,,,i,,,. =. :,
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y GOOD INVESTMENT.
The Board is alive to ;na c..tnut Of
tht. improvements which ihe, irn Ss,.-
!n,, at the hands NJ ;hs C,oyPr:,-,,an; MT
they nevertheless: would ,ss,,..tri,lIy
urge IL UPON lie art utirn az me Cnv-
c,.nlncnt believing ihc.. a. I'm fhn ms.
80 with il he with tl.r.p iu,yo,prsnts
every dollar cxppnHcl win come bacI;
many times over to The people of ne
whole country I'm The shane o. hust,,as,.
which viii add importance - he whole.
country.
In pre zcnt:n@ this communication
;hyuugh vau and with the hone Of re-.
cc!v!ns ynu. approval and coninenda.
,ton W. dnsIr.. i: no he consi,isrrI ~: ~
ustiii0n fnr needed relief IN on, az o,,.
cnin;ry'l hqrbars when # ,-r3ntaG
win rrsu-. in adding 10 v,;llt ,afIra ~.
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