Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1897-08-05
THE CHRISTlANA RIVER.

Request That tho Work Of Improving 1t
b. Pit m the Hands of some Person Who
VIII Thoroughly Identify Himself With
the commercial Interests of tins city.
At last movement has been begun
looking towards an improvement in the
state OF affairs as CONCERNS the navi-
gability of the Christina River. AL
though much money has been expended
by the government upon the stream
yet ii seems TO grow worse rather than
better. Some time ago rumblings of
discomfort were heard among busiDess
men on account of the unsa tisfactory
condition Of the river, and now a step
has been taken which may serve to
bring the whole matter to tho attention
OF the Federal authorities through
whom relief Ia desired. On Monday the
Board Of Port Wardens met and adopted
a series of resolutions In regard to tina
Christina River and Tuesday after
noon a meeting Of the navigation COM
mittee of the Wilmington Board OF
Trade was held, at which those reso.
lutions were considered and approved.
Chairman Morrison OF the committee
presided and others present were: E.
Tatnall Warner, N. r. Benson, Charles
W. Pusey, George B. Moore and George
W. Bush OF the committee, President
William Lawton and Secretary Daniel
W. Taylor of the Board Of Trade.
The resolutions of the Port Wardens
were as follows:
Whereas. The Christiana River and Will
mington harbor is seriously in need and
well worthy of Improvement and the best
attention Of the United States government
and
Whereas. The engineer In charge reports
| in June. 1896. that he has well defined
| channel IL feet deep at low tide. from the
Delaware River to the mouth of the Brandy
wine, Notwithstanding the fact, that in
June 1885, and June 1886. ne reported, that
there was a channel IL feet deep from the
| Delaware River to Third street bridge, and
since that time, the United States govern,
| ment has appropriated $3.50, 6574S for the
| improvement of the Christiana River and
| Wilmington harbor. After the expenditure
| of which it appears, that tho depth of water
grows less, that is, from 10 to 10 feet in IL
| years and
Whereas, In June, 1896. there was actually
| only o feet of water at low tide between
| Third street bridge and the mouth of the
Brandywine, instead of 10 feet as reported
| in 1885; and
Whereas, The business appertaning to
| the Christiana River and Wilmington harbol
is so managed, that of the appropriations
made. and other moneys available between
June 30th. 1855, and June 30lh. 1896. amount.
ing to $3.50, 657. AS only about Sl.3. CO., 90 has
been used in actual work, the remainder
being required for office expense, said ex.
| pense being about 30 per cent OF the appro-
priations; therefore, be it
Resolved, That We petition the Honorable
| Secretary of War to place the Chrlstiana
River and Wilmington harhor In the hands
OF some person who will thoroughly identify
himself with The commercial interest OF
de. - l. ~.
River and Wilmington harbor as we believe
this harbur will never be properly improved
/ or q sufficient depth of water secured, 81
| long as its affairs remain under the present
management, and are conducted ms they
have been in the past, in exemplilication oi
this, we have TO say, that according to the
| engineers report of June 1S95, there was al
| actual channel OF is feet of water, at low
tide in the Christiana River. from the Della
ware River to Third street bridge and In
June. 1897, there was less than feet between
the same points.
In discussing the resolutions tho com.
mitteemen give their personal views.
One instance was cited of q vesse
drawing lS1a feet of water, which, al
high tide struck a rock 10 the stream
bslow Third street bridge. The com,
mittee adopted the following resolution,
on motion of Mr.. Benson:
| Resolved, That the communication be re
| ceiyed by this committee Of the Board Of
| Trade from the Port Wardens in regard tC
the improvement OF the navigation in the
| Christinna River.
Resolved That this committee approve oil
the resolutions Of the Port Wardens and
request a special meeting be called on ues
day evening, August 10th, at s o'clock, tc
take action upon the same. and that the
resolutions of the Board of Port Wardens
be embodied in the call for the special meet
ing of the board.
The following figures show the
amounts appropriated and expended
upon the Christina for more than II
years:
Amounts appropriated for Christiana
River and Wilmington harbor from July
1884, to July, 1886: