Delaware gazette and state journal., 1896-07-02
WORK ON THt RIVER.
PhiladeIphin's SBOo.o00 to be Used in
Cleaning the Upper Delaware.

PhiladeiphiR's SBOo.o0O to be Used In
Cleaning tthc Upper delaware.
On Tuesday afternoon representatives
OF the government, the city of Phila-
delphia and leading commercial bodies
of the city held a conference in refer
ence TO the expenditure of the munich
pal appropriation OF $500, 900 for the i'm
provement OF the Delaware river's
channel. The recently authorized city
loan of 80, 600, 900 sets aside half n mill
lion for work on the river. II was
practically decided at the conference to
begin work on the channel as soon as
possible, and the consensus OF opinion
was that as soon as the extensive opera
tions planned are completed. the Della
ware river will be adequate for all the
commercial necessities oil the port.
There were present at the conference
Director Thompson and Chief Engineer
Webster, on behalf Of the city; Major
Charles w. Raymond, United States
Engineer; Joel Cook OF the Board OF
Port Wardena; Il. II. Sharswood of the
Maritime Exchanges; Secretary W. II.
Cant. tShackelford, representing the
International Navigation Co.
The meeting lasted for several hours.
the expenditure of the $500. 600 govern
ment appropriation that will be avail
able if not tied up by further compi-
cations over the dixie work on the
lower Delaware. 1t was his judgment,
| as we'll as the Judgment OF the others
present, that the city's money should
be spent on the upper river, at points
| nearer the city.
| 1t was therefore decided that the
work should begin at Greenwich Point,
where dredging Is necessary. The next
| point down the river to be attacked
will be the mud bank at Mifllin bar,
which will also be dredged. Schooner
| Ledge, which is considered by the engi-
neers to be the most formidable OBJ
struction in the river, being all rock.
will also be cleared away. ii any of
| the appropriation still remains the
mud hank at Holly Oak, near Marcus
Hook, will also be dredged away.
In deciding to spend the money in re-
| moving the distractions named it was
| with the understanding that the gov
| ernment would take up the work where
4 the city leaves off at Holly Oak and
| continue the improvement down the
| river. The entire work oil the city is
to ba done under the plans and with
the approval Of the government. Di-
rector Thompson stated after the CON
ference that the work would be Of a
permanent nature, as the government
dixie work on the river would prevent
shoaling at the bars which arc to be
1 tlredged.
| at is stated, n said the director,
"that it requires two or three tides al
present TO get the largest ocean steam
ers In ard out of the river. When this
work is completed II will be possible
for the largest steamers TO go out with
one tide" The director also stated
that the plans and specifications woult
be drawn up Immediately, and wout
be ready in about three weeks, aftei
which they would be approved by tht
government and the work started.
Under City Solicitor Kinsey's reeen
opinion, the city will have the righ
to award contracts for the work on th,
channel and for widening Delawar,
avenue without waiting until th'
| 50, 600, 600 loan authorized for the pur
pose is negotiated.