Evening journal., 1897-10-08
SUBSTlTUTEFOR SMITH
IContlnued From Flrgt Page.l

lCOhJinueu from flfSJ Gage.I
under the present management, and are
conducted as they have been in the
past. In exemplificatiOn of this, we have
to say that according to the engineers
report of Jdne, 1895, there was an ac-
tual channel of fifteen feet of water, at |
low tide in the Christiana river from the
Delaware river to Third street bridge, !
and in June, 1897, there was less than
nine feet between the same points"
Reports that it met General Smith by |
appointment and reviewed with him the |
points contained in the preamble and
resolution. General Smith placed at the
command of your committee full files OF
his reports to the government, certain
laws Of the United States controlling
his action, and limiting him to certain
! lines that left him but little power for
the exercise of his own judgment; also
maps and tracings setting forth very
clearly the work executed under his di-
rection. These maps form an interesting
study and are submitted herewith mark
ed: A., b, c., d., d.. Ell, E2., FL, F2.
A. Showing a portion Of the river
dredged during the fiscal years ending
June 30, 1885, 1886, 1887 and 1883
B. 1890, 1891, 1892, 1898 and 1894.
c. 1896.
/ D1. and D2. photographic survey of
the river September 9, 10, IL, 1897.
FL. and E2. Maps prepared from
lsurveys of John II. Dagger, under direc-
tion of the Harbor Commissioners, 1884
FL. and F2. photographic survey
I 1896. while dredging was in progress.
The integrity of these maps cannot
be questioned by anyone, and the rapid
movement of the bottom of the river
between the time of completion OF
dredging, 1897. and the date of survey
: as shown on D1. and D2. accounts for
the apparent discrepancy in reports of
the engineer in charge, as stated, and
the statement of the committee of the
Board of Port Wardens.
This shOaling, as shown on Dl. and
d., must not, however, be construed to
show an accumulation of matd8al being
!. deposited daily in the river from sew
~ age or other sources. 1t is simply a
: movement of the mud or silt from the
:; sides of the channel into the channe
proper. This movement is caused by
passing steamers and tugs in the river
and the action of the tides.
The influence of these factors has ap
y parently not been fully considered b!
, the engineer in charge, and having un
/ Questionably dredged to the dept
stated in his reports, he asserts that tn
project was completed. II is difficult Z
,. estimate the volume Of material in sus
" pension that is intercepted by the jett
I'd on each food tide to be deposited in tn
* Christiana river on slack water an
is during ebb tide.
General Smith has written a repoI
to the chief engineers, touching tn
T. question under consideration, and
Sc copy of that report accompanies this.
Id For convenience your committee no
r places the preamble and resolution {
he the Board of Port Wardens and the n
ed ply of General Smith as given to tt
chief of engineers, in this report.
Whereas, In June 1886, there was al
tually only nine feet Of water at 10
70 tide between the Third street birds
Ia ,and the mouth Of the Brandywlne, il
Il" stead Of fifteen feet, as reported
1885.
Reply. I say that the statement r
ity specting the channel in 1896 is CORE
be- only as to one spot of small area az
no just below the Third street bridge. Tn
sht has since been dredged to fifteen feet
an low water. There was not even
EN- twelve foot continuous channel
1884, as is shown by my predecessor
A map in 1884, nor in 1885.
for Whereas, The business appertainil
to the Christiana river and Wilmingt'
wo harbor is so managed that of the a
lily propriations made and other none
available between June so, 1885. al
nte June 80, 1896, amounting to $3.50, ,657.
nd only about s123, 600 has been used in a
TEL tual work, the remainder being requir
ter for office engineering and continge
expenses, said expenses being about
per cent of the appropriation.
Reply / say that the first appropri
tion referred to was in 1884, and tn
the statement of expenditures is Il
ack correct. Full explanation of this
me given above.
1rs Therefore, be il resolved, That we I
~ tition the honorable secretary of "
to place the Christiana river and w
L.. mington harbor in the hands Of sol
~ ~ person who will thoroughly ident
les' himself with the commercial inter-
nis Of Wilmington and the needs Of
Christiana river and the Wilmingt
harbor. as we believe this harbor "
never be properly improved or a sui
cient depth of water secured so long
it's affairs remain under the pres'
are management and are conducted as ti
nave becu III the past III SANAlb blli
ton Of this we have to say. that
,ent cording to the engineers report Of Ju
Jail 1885, there was an actual channel Of
per- teen feet of water at low tide in
kes Christiana river from the Delawl
old river to the Third street bridge, and
June. 1897. thoe was less than nine +
,o between the same points.
~ Reply There was not a fifteen-f
niee ,iie channel in 1885, as l have explain
-, There was not even a twelve-fOOt chit
ioi s mel. The channel was last dredged
'iou thirteen feet. in 1885, to 1000 feet abe
the mouth of the Brandywine. and I
lrge der this years contract OS9O dre'
tain ing has been continued thence TO abb
Jas Third street bridge to a depth OF fift'
last feet at mean low water. Soundil
made in June. 1897. by my assista
nch Mr. Miller. showed practically the 81
.ged condition of channel between 1000
off above the Brandywine and Tn
N A. strete bridge as existed when sou
In OK frprn falrcu I'm I1no 1895 exc