The Telegraph-courier. [volume] (Kenosha, Wis.) 1888-1946, 1897-05-06
Our Harbor.


recently printed report of Capt. linn,
engineer corps, q. S. A., on Kenosha
harbor This report was made tt
congress to give the results of the sur
vey secured by Congressman 81. A
Cooper of harbors on the west shore Of
Lake Michigan, with view to extend
ing to them the 2O-foot deep waterway
channel from Buffalo.
Capt. linn has given a great deal Of
study to the improvement of several
harbors in Wisconsin, and taking Ke-
nosha as the best sample, has reported
the results of his Investigations in his
report on Kenosha harbor.
He finds Sheboygan, Racine and Ke-
nosha all hampered by too narrow en-
frances, a widening Of which he very
properly considers essential to their
conversion to 20-foot deep harbors. To
do this in the case of Kenosha, it will
be noticed, he recommends the re-
movaI of the entire north pier SO as to
secure channel $50 feet wide. This is
an important matter and should be
given immediate attention by the city
council. Capt. linn thinks the 20-foot
channel scheme should be extended to
Sheboygan and Racine on account of
their size, but while lnclining to it for
Kenosha, hardly thinks it authorized
by the size of the place. He calls the
population of Kenosha $500, whereas
the last election and that of last fall
would indicate it to be over 10000.
We cannot afford to lose this oppor-
tunty for a great improvement of Ke-
nosha harbor. To go Oh spending
money in extending the north pier
would be useless waste of money, as
the channel entrance must be widened
before many years, as Capt. linn ad-
mts Racine has practically arranged
to give the land necessary for widening
and the council of Kenosha should look
into the matter at once. Prompt action
is needed or we will be left behind in
the race and be classed as an inferior
harDor. Line boats from Buffalo would
call here often with part loads with
only little encouragement. Kenosha
with her one road is without competi-
ton, and manufacturers are constantly
declining to consider locating here from
lack of freight competition. five are
ever to increase in size this subject
must be given serious consideration.
Why has Racine outstripped Kenosha {?
Simply because she has had the COM
petition of two roads and the steam
boat lines. Shall Kenosha continue to
grow at snail's pace? We must look
to the council for help.
Capt. linn discusses the question as
to whether the two piers should be ex
tended into the lake the same distance,
or one ahead of the other. He admits
that sufficient data have not been Sc
cured as yet to decide this question
with certainty, but from what he has
inclines TO the belief that the south
pier should be extended furthest were
it not for the difficulty of vessels enter
ing. Casual investigation would favor
the extension of the north pier ahead of
the south pier.
Capt. linn believes the proper
course is to build the north pier as far
as needed and then feel the way gradu-
ally with the south pier, to such point
as frequent surveys and the conven-
fence of naYigators would authorize.
Probably the compromise plan of equal
extension would be found advisable,
but this is only possible with wider
entrance. Shall we make an effort to
secure this?