The herald., 1897-04-04
THE REASONS WHY
Port Los Angeles Was Not Chosen as
the Harbor Site

Whatever questions may arise as to ex-
pedlency and utility, the situation at
Port Los Angeles. so far as the construc,
ton of a breakwater Is concerned, is very
simple The bay is open in the direction
of the greatest swell and there
is here at all times some motion in the
sea. The only solution is that of de-
tatched breakwater which shall produce
comparatively quiet water behind it. The
requirements for deep water harbor
mean that the greater part of this break
water shall be located at least 1000 feet
outside of the seven fathom line.
A location for breakwater has been
proposed in accordance with this provision
and is shown on the accompanying map.
arms, the westerly arm being at right
angles to the direction of the greatest
swell which is the same as the direction
of the pier and the east arm being prac-
tically parallel to the Z fathom contour
and little more than 1000 feet seaward
from it; the west arm intersects the pro-
duced axis of the pier 5000 feet from the
end of the pier and 1000 feet from the 7
fatbom line; the two arms intersect each
other 700 feet from the intersection of
the west arm and the produced axis of the
pier The west arm is 2500 feet long
and the east arm 5000 feet long, making a
total length of 1900 feet. The west arm
has bearing south AZ degrees 36 minutes
east, magnetic, and the east arm south 70
degrees east magnetic, the arms making
an angle of 152 degrees 36 minutes with
each other.
The borings made on the line of the
Port Los Angeles pier prior to its con-
struction and the experience in pile driv-
ing during its construction showed hard
bottom, generally of clay. A boring made
at the same time between 400 and 800 feet
beyond the end of the pier showed about
feet of comparatively soft bottom, below
which was the same hard material as on
the pier proper. A set OF borings made
on the line of suggested breakwater
extending southerly from the Santa
Ynez canyon and which passed 2S00
feet beyond the end of the wharf or
about the location now proposed
for breakwater, showed 19 feet of very
soft mud opposite the end OF the pier and
q feet of very soft mud with sandstone
under it 700 feet northerly from the axis
of the pier. All of these borings were
made by the Southern Pacific Company
and this information is finished by its
Chief Engineer. Seven borings made
under the direction of this Board on or
near the line of the proposed breakwater
showed that this soft material was at least
10 feet deep for the whole length OF the
breakwater. To prevent any possibility
| of doubt as to these results, a further set
| of IS borings was subsequently made and
| a full record of these boriDgs is given IN
| Appendix Z. 1t is evident that the bot
| tom on which this breakwater would be
located is not one which can sustain any
excessive weight without settlement; how
much the settlement would be 1t is impos-
siblc to determine without actual expert
ment, and experiments made over linz
| tied area would be of little value; the set
tlement would certainly be materially less
| than the depth to hard material, but 1t is
| impossible to say how much less 1t would
| be. 1t must be understood that II break
water is located here the amount OF ma
terial required will depend upon the set
tlement and it may be necessary to re-
| duce the length of the breakwater below
| the length as estimated in this report
with corresponding reductions in the area
| protected.
ESTIMATES. ~
The estimate quantities and cost OF this
breakwater, made on the basis both as t
| plan and prices given above and with nt
provision for settlement, is as follows:
/, $50, 527 cubic yards substructure
below plane of rest, at IL. 3d. u, S23, Il.
PA, 264 cubic yards suhstructure
above plane of rest, at $780,. 524, W
IRE IRE. at $500 ................. ss4, so
Concrete blocks ............. 1880
Total 81, 513, So