Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-08-12
THE WILMINGTON HARB0R
Gen. Smith Interviewed Regarding the
COnditiQROf the ChriStiana.
DOING HIS BEST TO IMPROVE IT
The Means at His. Command
Limited.
NINE-FOOT SHOAL AT MOUTH OF RIVER

engineer In charge OF this district, was
seen On Thursday in regard to the con-
dition of the Christiana River. He
stated that he is using the limited
means at his command to the best pos
sible advantage. The difficulty lies in
the fact that the government has not
been appropriating half enough money
to remove the annual deposit Of aodi-
ment in the stream.
He made personal inspection Of the
mouth of the Christiana ON Tuesday
and took several soundings, which re-
vealed the fact that there is 9.foot
shoal ON the bar ut that point, worse
state of affairs than had before existed
since he has been placed in charge of
the Office.
He endeavored to have the con.
tractors, who are dredging in the
vicinity of Third street bridge, go out
to the mouth Of the stream and reduce
the shoal, but learned that under their
contract, which they are completing,
he had no power to order them to go
out to the streams mouth, and now be
can do nothing on the bar until the
next appropriation is available.
While this shoal 10 an impediment to
navigation, there is no danger OF i'm
mediate trouble, as by keeping close to
the ietty, it can be avoided. But it
must be given attention as soon as
practicable
The general said that the shoaling in
the Christina was greater during tho
past year than at any previous time.
Several boards Of officers have visited
the stream at different times, and the
consensus of opinion was that the
stream. in the city of Wilmington,
shoals at the rate OF 100, 600 cubic
yards per year, and as the average cost
of moving it is about 20 cents per
cubic yard, $40, 900 would be required
annually to take out the sediment.
The appropriations for the past four
years have averaged SO. 600 and it can
readily be seen where the trouble lies.
The collection OF sediment each year is
much greater than the government
makes provision for taking out and the
difference is telling on the condition OF
the stream.
At one time there were good avail
able dumping grounds 10 the Delaware
River, and then dredging could be done
at low figure, in consequence of the
small cost of removing tine dredged
material. But now these natural
dumping grounds are no more and the
material must either be thrown over
the banks or disposed of in some
similar manner, which of course, adus
to the cost of DUNG the work.
These conditions and circumstances,
the general Gays, account for the fact
that the channel cannot be kept as
deep as it could be several years ago.
1t is certainly true, !" said Gen.
Smith, "as stated ny the Board of Port
Wardens, that this harbor is seriously
in need as well as very worthy OF i'm,
prOvement An appropriation is needed :
An improvement cannot be made with
out money. have nothing to do with
getting appropriations, nur am | per.
mitted to urge them. Congress pro-
yides this money. There was - foot
channel in 1856 TO the Third street
bridge, and that was later carried to
the pull works; hut the appropriations
have been entirely insufficient to main
tam that denth. This is perfectly clear
to competent engineers, who have in
vestigated the subject The engineer
commission in session here last year
estimated the annual deposit Of material
in the harbor at loo, 900 cubic Yards,
and stated that it might be even con-
sideraby more. The appropriations for
the harbor for the past four years have
averaged $40, 900, which pays for re-
moving but half Of the deposit. The
channel was dredged to but ID feet last
year, as that was the extent TO which
the available money would 60; and
besides, it was thought We could get
started on the 2l-foot channel, which
then seemed in prospect.
In the published statement OF an
preparations and expenditures it il
assumed that all of the money, excep,
the payments stated was used for office
expenses. Such was not the case. One
of the items not so used for instance,
is the last appropriation, which, with
some balance of previous appropriations,
amounting in all to S2j, 600, as being
used Oh the dredging now in progress.
10 so through the accounts for /:
years understandingly takes time, but
assuming the items given 10 the state
ment TO be correct, the payments OF
contracts was 1923, 600. There wart
several surveys, and they are expensive
Two OF them we're ordered by Congress
to be made out of tho appropriations
for the improvement, and cost in rounC
numbers about So 00O. One of then
vey extended to Newport. Adding thesI
amounts, we find that We have snen
SLOT, 600, with the amount on hand, az
against 1928, 900, stated by the wardens
This amount does not include the hirl
of inspectors, engineers and other
directly employed upon the work durinl
that period, which amounts 10 con
siderable The amount appropriated
since 1884, with the balance then OF
hand, is sl90, 657. iS, and of this amount
besides the Sl57, 600 expended as stated
there were many expenditures Of vari
Gus Kinds not provided for in tho con
tracts, leaving but comparativel,
email part of the difference for offic
expense.
Is it surprising that, with the in
sufficient appropriations, the channe
has shoaled, as it has, to IL foo
depth, up to the Third street bridge
and much less abovsH This year it ma
shoaled still more. and there are place
at which the depth is not over nin
feet below the mouth of the Brandy
wine.
The Atlas Dredging Co., con
tractors, recently resumed work at th
point where operations left off on tn
preceding contract, and they must com
plete the work laid out before enterin
upon anything new. This ia the reaso
that they did not go to work at Tia
bar at the mouth of the Christiana.
Gen. Smith said he was ready an
willing at any time to exhibit til
figures at bis Office.
Death Of Samuel McIvain.
Contractor Samuel McIlyain q