The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1897-09-08

One OF the most important improve
ments along SeattIe's waterfront. that =
likely to take shape within a fes days,
Is the extension OF Yesier wharf distance
Of eighty feet into Elliott bay. and the
building Of another great warehouse The
movement Is significant IN connection with
the general growth Of business betweeu
this city and the sea. and It may mean
a great deal more than ar arst appears on
the surface.
During The last days Of the recelvcrshlp
Of the Northern Pacific one OF the Most
important matters that MIR. Burlesgh tried
to have disposed Of was the extension II
YesIer wharf. the most valuable piece o.
dock property in the city Hardly case
for damages against the Northern Pacific
Railroad Company or the Northern Paci-
nc Railway Company has been commenced
or carried on in any of the courts that
the Yesler wharf property has not been at
taehed in connection with the proceed
ings and no part Of the compauys real
estate possessions IS looked apon rs en-
vious eyes more than that which stands
at the hay end Of Yesler way. the pialn-
looking. old. red building with SIS waite
sign and the naakiag rookeries that form
a diversified sky lire. marking fortune
IN the value OF location.
When Mr.. Burleish was trying 70 secure
a franchise for extension, the common
council was up to its official ears passing
upon the maps that CITY Engineer Thorn
son had submitted, but we're 70 be offered
to the state tide land commission for ac-
eeptance. The idea Involved was that of
changing the direction Of the streets north
OF Yesler way so as 70 parallel IT, The gem
eraI direction until Railroad avenue was
crossed was to be maintained bat beyond
Railroad avenue the street extensions we're
to be detected toward the west, - as 10
admit Of au extension without intersection.
When the matter of extending Yeslsr
wharf into Elliott bay. so that ocean
steamships might lie aiongslde and in the
slips, was under consideration, It
was found that q continuation Of
Columbia street. according 10 the survey
Of the tide piats then Ia existence. would
meet Yesicr wharf, leaving a triangular
basin without open connection with are
Sound. Finally this matter was adjusted
By the acceptance of the tide land com
mission Of city Engineer Thorn>on's re-
plating. Property that previously had
had = frontage on Railroad avenue thst
marked is depth with a rectauxle. became
by the stroke Of pen converted inso par
allslograms with acute and ootnse angles.
no less valuable as business propositions.
bu: conspicuous by the way they chased
the wake of the retTcatlng sua across the
stretch Of sound. Then Il became possible
20 extend Yesler dock beyond the outer
hsrbor Isne aa far as the length % piles
would admit without affecting any similar
extension Of Columbia street.
Such IS the undertaking trat sill in
wharfage and additional warehouse roosn.
capable not only ~ providing accomno-
dations for TIE feet of Sound steamers
that now and berths ca eisher side of
Yssler dock. bui 10 store the carEosE u
several ocean anshtps
Ths work q sxtendlug the dock d Hhely
70 commence at any time. the inforfna-
ton having been given ouf from fhe err
glneerinE department that the company
VII carry on the Improvements under rhe
direction q Superintendent Mecahe.
Figures we're asked. when the work Nas
first projected. f9r the plilpg the 6e-
rnands AZ that time being for ereosofed
piles. 80 ln number IRE prices sufs-
rsltted we're thought by the Northern
Pacific officials IL D. too high. ard .He
teuders we're rejected. L has now ben
eecsdeS 30 treat the r.3ae fos the enten-
SION by the MI8aaugE system. manner
of protecting the pJea against tsrr5as
irveu'ed ~ Horace a Naadzuzh. peF-
iHtendeat of bridges and iraess - are
Seattle & International ras3eay whsa
consists q wrapping the piles wish har-
lap. between watch ard the p8es IS isr
sas aan8.
Ire north side e. Yesler dock g now
irregular. a const8erahle space remain
inr 80 pc nusd tn h@fwaea the pres at
vaarf IRE anA tae l;ne ~ ere e1mPauy's
property. TT.ia srace wlg also be e1a-
vertea into aoek property ard us8n &
wga ha built another uaFeaaase, iarxsr
rhar srst as ssraeens On the sork ~