Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-08-12
SHlpLEy STREET.
Cobbie Stones. uut-, Mud, Clay and Dust In
the Combination.

cobbie stones. Rut-, Mud, Clay and Dust In
the Combination.
Shipey HtTeet, which should be one
of tho best thoroughfares In tho city,
on account of being in the worry heart
Of tho business section, Is one OF tho
worst. The old timo cobble stones.
which form a decidedly irregular sur
face, are literally covered with clay,
mud ard dust hatween Water and Sixth
streets, while between Sixth and Ninth
the Balgign hook pavement is in need
Of repairs, holes and ruis making the
surface Ind for vehiculBr traffic.
From Wator street 10 Front there is n
rich Clenosit of black soil, which in
some places hides entirely the stone
pavement. In wst weather tho mud
resembles axle grease, and In real dry
weather. which. however, has heen
scarce this summer, tho dust arising 10
unhealthy and unpleasant
between Front and Second clay over
lies tho cobbles, which arc irregular
and unsightly. At some places there
are apparently two or three inches of
earth ON top Of the stones. Some por-
tiona of the pavement have become very
unevon.
At Second street the crossing is rough
and hard on vehicles, to say nothing
about the discomfort experienced by
drivers.
Between Second and Third the red
clay over tho cobbles ia suggestive Of
brick yard. At some places thero is
n deposit OF several inches, which gives
| the street the appearance OF a country
road. Under the clay is pavement
characterized by irregularity and un-
evenness.
But for treachernus places the square
between Third and Fourth ia entitled
10 distinction. 1t Ia so Tad in fact. that
driving at night ia dangerous. There
is also roating OF clay in this square.
The two Squares between Fourth and
Sixth are not much hetter, each having
rough and Irregular surfaces, with
treacherous holes hore and there. There
is a goodly deposit of clay also.
The crossings at Fourth md Sixth
etreet1 are also in bad shape. There Ia
not so much clay and duet above Sixth
street, but clear on up to Ninth there
might DO an improvement. Above
Sixth street the pavement in Belgian
block, and it wac IN fair condition I'M.
til the telephone conduits were put
down. Since That time there have beer
bad places 10 the street, principally
over the conduits and repaving ia now
necessary.
At the Eighth street crossing there il
manhole a portion of which is fully
an inch above the street paving, whit
the manholo cover and pavement SHOULD
he even.
The marks OF the conduit and othpl
excavations have boon left in ever,
square where the work was done.
On dry days the dust arising from th'
street is specially annoying and detri
mental to business, while on RAIN
day the mud, which il of peculiarl,
Objectionable variety, is almost as an
moving as the dust.
Merchants along the street complaii
tant their business has suffered in con
sequence OF the condition of the street
and they think the matter should b.
given immediate attention BY the Stree
and Sewer Department.
Shipley street, being almost level iron
Fourth to Tenth. would take from
Market street great deal Of tho travel
especially heavy traffic, il 1t WAS prop
erly paved. No t6amster objects 10 tn
square between Ninth and Tenth il
fact, very little complaint is hear
about any of the squares above Seventh
| street, and if the street below Sevont
was put in proper shape, there woul
be no complaint to make.
Market street. upon which the pave
mont is fast wearing out, should be re
liuyed. AMI the only wav TO give relic
ia to pave it lis it should be-with lIel
gian block or tirehrick.