Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1896-10-08

The water facilities of Wilmington
are in danger! If the suggestions of
certain people wEo have been furnish
ing material for newspaper reporters in
some other cities are acted upon by the
agents Of the Federal government, this
city will be almost isolated from our
great natural highway, the Delaware
river.
1t has been suggested that the chan
mel of the river be altered SO as to be
on the easterly side Of the middle
ground opposite Wilmington instead
Of on the westerly side, along the
Delaware shore, as at present
Should this plan be carried out,
according to the idea of local en-
gineer, who is conversant with such
matters, the natural river front would
not only be far removed from the navi-
gable part Of the stream, but the
mouth of the city's main artery, the
Christiana river, would be in danger
of being closed against large craft. A
shoal would ID all probability be
formed that would be a menace to
mariners having business in and out
n of Wilmington.
As near as can be learned the depth
of the present channel, along the Della
ware shore, is about 10 feet at mean
low water, which, of course is en-
tirely too shallow. and it has been sug-
gested that the course of the channel
be moved across the middle ground,
which is bar, to the easterly side,
ulOnD the .Tarunu e
recent date, which was consulted, gave
the information that the depth on the
east side is not 80 great as in the
present channel, and what advantage
could result to shipping by making
the alteration is not plain.
1t is said that rocks abound to the
east OF the middle ground, and to
dredge it out would undoubtedly be
an enormous expense There is no
question but that some dredging-.a
considerable amount in fact-should
be done off Wilmington, but what
good reason there is to suggest a
change in the course of the channel at
that point has not been satisfactorily
explained. What the object is has not
been definitely set forth in terms plain
enough to warrant the people of Will
mington in believing that the result
would be beneficial to the interests of
the metropolis of Delaware
1t is predicted that with the opening
OF new channel the one now in use
would be abandoned, and the natural
result would be a rapid filling up,
which would give Wilmington a river
front of mud flats for many yards out
into the stream.
Then again, were the channel moved
.nua moi I.N A
to keep the mouth of the Christiana
clear, and it would not take long for
troublesome bar to form. The damage
to the industries of the city is an.
parent Some of our largest concerns
in fact by far the most extensive
rely for their business upon easy access
TO the Delaware river for large steam
and sailing craft, and if these boats
could not get up to our shipyards and
wharves, the business in that line
which comes to Wilmington would be-
diverted to some other place. The
boat building and shipping industries
would be paralyZed. and the fortunes
invested therein, between Sl4, OO0, OO(
and SIS, 600, 900. would be practically
lost.
1t is highly imperative that this
matter should be carefully looked into
:, while there is an opportunity to pre-
vent any step that would be detri
montal to the prosperity and welfare o.
the city.
The Board OF Trade has kept {
watchful eye upon our Commercial
highways, and through tho river anC
harbor committee has succeeded ir
accomplishing great deal for tho ad
vancenient of the city, and the board
nc uuaII tho
check any move that would deter thu
accomplishment of the desired result
As far as can be ascertaned tn,
suggestion mentioned has not beer
acted upon, and it should not be. TIL,
matter has been brought to the atten
tion OF the Board of Trade, and it il
altogether likely that an investigation
will be made.
Major Raymond, the chief of govern
ment engineers in Philadelphia, who
directs the work in the Delaware
river, should be sought at once, ant
the result to Wilmington that would
follow the carrying out of such plaG
should be shown to him, and it is be
lieved that he would not order thu
work done were he convinced of thu
extent of damage to the commercial
interests of Wilmington that would
follow. a
THE CHRIsTIANA APPROPRIATION.
The appropriation for work in tn,
Christiana is overdue. and just VIII,
the first 'instalment of $50, 600 is mo-
yet available is not generally known.
A member of the Board of Trade, who
was spoken to about the matter, STATED
that the money should have beer
available about July LIST, and he was
unable to explain the delay. The
board, with The able assistance Of
Delaware's representatives in Con
gress. succeeded in having the appro
priation made, and the matter has in q
measure passed out of their hands.
fhe stream badly needs dredging,
and why the work is delayed is q
matter Of speculation with those
directly interested.