The Norfolk Virginian. [volume] (Norfolk, Va.) 186?-189?, 1896-12-10
INTERESTING REPORT
Of Captain Thomas |. CASEY, United
States Engineer al This Port.
HAR8oR AND RIVER IMPROVEMENTS.
The Plan OF tho Work In Norfolk
Hfarbor and What Has geen Ac.
complished- The Nnyy.yard chan
mel : Remarkable Increase The
western Branch-InIaDG Route.

The anrNal report of Captain Thomas
l.. Casey, United States Engineer at this
point, upon the improvement OF Norfolk
harbor Its approaches. and of rivers in
Southeastern Virginia and Northeastern
North Carolina. has been Issued, and
contains matter of absorbing interest
TO every citizen of this section with the
good of the port of Norfolk at heart
THE PLAN OF WORK.
In beginning his report Captain Casey
outlines the condition OF the harbor pri-
or 10 the present project OF improve
ment. which was begun IN 1877 He then
outlines the plan, as revised in 1855, as
follows:
I. To dredge channel not less than
900 feet wide and % feet deep at ordi-
nary low water from deep water in
Hampton Roads to Norfolk and the
United states hayward: also to tlredge
a channel in Eastern Branci, not less
than 70 feet deep, with a width OF 700
deet at lis mouth. and of not less than
3O0 feet at the Norfolk anu Western
railroad bridge.
Z. 10 ultimately dredge the entire area
bounded by the lines parallel to and 75
feet from the port warden line. to a
depth of not less than % feet, and from
Fort Norfolk to the navy yard, and not
III
Eastern Branch to Campostella Bridge.
and to build bulkhead at BE: kiey
flats.
To this project there was added in
1880 the dredging of an anchorage at
the mouth of Western Branch with n
depth of no. less than % feet at an c:-
timated cost of S150.000. which amount
was added to the origina! estimate max
ing the total estimated cost of the i'm
provement S1,Oi1, 774.46.
Touching on the work that has been
done in the execution OF this plan. the
report goes on to say:
AMOUNT EXPENDED THIS YEAR.
The amount expended on this improve
ment to June 30, 1895, wa: $S1G, 50.6S.
non. nom Wnich resulted channel not less
than 500 feet wide and 25 feet deep Mt
ordinary low water from Hampton
Roads to Norfolk harbor, n channel of
me same depth and from 400 TO coo feet
wide In the Southern branch to the
United States maynard, Il channel not
less than - feet deep at ordinary low
water and from 500 to $50 feet wide In
the Eastern Branch to the Norfolk and
western railroad bridge, and the dredg-
ing OF 6Sls acres of the anchorage to
the required depth, II acres requiring no
dredglng being also made available.
The channels thus dredged were in
good condition, with the exception of
the channel through the shoai at the
mouth of the Western Branch. where
| an examination made in August, 1893.
showed considerable shoalng on its
| eastern side. and the channel over Sew
all Point bar, which has contracted fifty
| feet I'm width. due to caving in Of the
sides OF the dredged channel.
The amount expended during the ifs
cal year Is $6S, 090.65. With this amount
the channel between Hospital and Pin
| ner points on its western side was wild
"a Fant fnts .lt to-, nsn
ana 40 feet for farther distance of
2.65l feet the point on the eastern side
or the channel below Lambert Point re-
moved. giving an additional width to
! The channel al this locality of 400 feet,
| and channel 90 feet wide dredeed
Though the center of the channel over
Sewall Point bar for Il distance of 9.o00
feet. and 40 feet wide for a farther dis
lance of $500 feet.
The amount OF material removed dur
Ing the fiscal year was 57i0G7 chb!c
yards, the work being done under. con-
tract dated November 10, 1894, at Q cents
| per cubic yard. scow mea surement
me commerce OF the harbor during
the calendar year 1895 Is reported to he
| ",olS.lS0 tons. valued at G2.Gii Sal and
consisting principally Of coal. lumber
and agricultural products. The value of
The commerce indicates that SCI ~ worth
OF freight was transported by way of
the harhor for each dollar expended
upon us Improvement 10 June 80. 1896.
| July l, 1895. balance unex-
pended ....... ....... ......$ GSS49.32
Amount appropriated by act OF
June 3, 1885,. ..... ..... 100 900. 90
June 30, 1896. amount. en-
pended during fiscal Year =. G., 900. So
July ]. 1896, balance unex-
July !, 1896. outstanding llabil-
isies ......,...... ...... 46G.1v
July 1, 1896, balance available. 500. 800. As
THE MAYNARD CHANNEL.
The report in its appendix. goes into
! detail. showing how the recent appro-
rriations have been expended, and SAYS
| further:
In order to enable the deep draft
vessels of the United States navy to
| reach the naVy-yard on Southern
Rianch and 10 accommodate the in
| creas!ns commerce of the harbo:. II is
! desirable that the present depth of the
! harbor be increased as much as posi-
! BILE"
The following table of commercial sta
ttstics Of the harbor Is given:
Articles. Amount Value.
Coal ........ .2.311 ,03S 4,SiS. $50
Cotton ............... 67,24l 6.0lSS50
Lumber .............. 600.091 4Glll5T
| y rri cultural nrn5ncts aES