The herald., 1897-04-04
THE CLAIMS OF CONTESTANTS
CAREFULLY CONSIDERED WITH
OUT FEAR OR FAVOR
After Thorough Examination OF Ad-
vantages There Is No Doubt
Left as to San Pedro's
Superiority


and select the location of a deep water
harbor for this city. The report is given
in full, excepting merely the appendices
and purely technical matter, such as
references, etc. The document is signed
by Admiral ]. G. Walker, A. F. Rogers.
w. H. Bun and George S. Morrison, and
is as follows:
WASHINGTON, D. c., March l, 1897.
The Honorable, the Secretary of War:
Sir-The Board appointed under the
provisions of the river and harbor act of
June 8, 1896, to locate deep water har-
bor in Southern California, has the
honor to submit the following report
The law provides as follows:
"For deep water harbor for commerce
and of refuge at Port Los Angeles, In
Santa Monica bay, California, or at San
Pedro, in said State, the location of said
harbor to be determined by an officer of
the Navy to be detailed by the Secretary
of the Navy; an officer of the Coast and
Geodetc Survey, to be detailed by the
Superintendent of said Survey, and three
experienced civil engineers. skilled in
riparian work, to be appointed by the
President, who shall constitute q Board,
and who shall personally examine said
harbors, the decision of a majority of
which shall be final as TO the location of
said harbor. It shall be the duty of said
Board to make plans, specifications and
estimates for said improvement.
THE BOARDS WORK.
The Board convened at Washington,
D. c., on November l6, 1896, and organized
by electirg Rear Admiral John G. Walker,
U. S. N, Chairman; it then proceeded
TO the examination of such data bearing
upon its duties as could be found in
Washington. Further meetings were held
in Washington on November II and 1s,
and on the latter date the Board adj
journed to meet in Los Angeles, CAL, on
December 8, but it being found impracti-
cable to meet on that date, the meeting
was postponed until December 16 The
city of Los Angeles was made tine head
quarters of the Board during its stay in
California. Between the da es of Decem-
Der 21 and 80, both inclusive, public hear
ings were held by the Board on seven
days, at which all parties interest were
afforded full opportunity to present testi-
mony and argument bearing upon the
merits of the two locations. complete
report of these hearings is appended to
this report and marked Appendix f. In
addition to these public hearings, the
Board held frequent meetings during its
stay at Los Angeles and repeatedly visited
and examined the two locations during
such conditions of weather as prevailed
while the Board remained in California.
Careful photographic surveys for purposes
of verification were made at both the
locations named in the law, and in addi-
ton, full sets of jet borings were made
along the lines of the proposed break
waters, along the channel leading into
the inner harbor at San Pedro, and at
such other points as were deemed advis-
able The charts and sections exhi biting
the complete results of these surveys are
appended to this report. The Board also
visited and examined such other points
on the coast of Southern California as in
the judgment of its members would afford
information of value in the selection of
the site. The Board also visited a num-
Der of quarry sites in that part of Cali
fornia, both on the main land and on the
island of Santa Catalina, in order to con-
Arm the existence of rock of suitable
quality for the construction of the break
water and to secure the data requisite for
making the necessary estimates. On
January %, 1897, the Board adjourned to
meet in Washington February 10TH
since which time frequent meetings have
been held for the purpose of examination
and consideration of the data obtained
and for the preparation of this report.
PROVISIONS OF THE BILL.
The act under which this Board is ap-
pointed provides for deep water harbor
for commerce and of refuge. Under the
provisions of the law, deep water harbor
is understood to be harbor which can
be used by vessels of the deepest draught.
Merchant vessels drawing from 26
to % feet are now common,
while steamers have been built
which, when fully loaded, will draw
30 feet or even more. The deepest draught
of any vessel in the United States navy
exceeds q feet, while some foreign naval
vessels draw fully 32 feet. In view of these
facts, it would seem that a deep water
harbor must be one which will safely ac-
commodate vessels drawing at least 80
feet.
The provision that it shall be harbol
for commerce is understood to mean that
it shall be harbor in which vessels car
load and discharge cargoes in convenient
proximity to suitable facilities for storage
and for interchange between land and
water transportation. In many ports of
the world this work is done by the aid OF
lighters while the ships lie at anchor, a
slow and expensive method which can nc
longer be considered satisfactory. A deer
water harbor for commerce should be such
that the deepest ships can come along
quays and piers where they can lie quiet
ly during rough weather to receive and
discharge their carpoes and where proper
facilities for docking and repairs may be
afforded.
The provision that it shall be harbor
Of refuge is understood to mean that il
shall be harbor which all classes of ves-
sells can enter in stress of weather, with
out waiting for tides, and where they can
anchor in safety at all times. The depth