The news & observer. [volume] (Raleigh, N.C.) 1894-current, 1899-08-24


Norfolk and Charleston
The length of the dam from Federal
Point to Zeke's Island is one mile, but
the extension of Zeke's Island jettieS to
Smiths Island makes the line much
longer. The rock foundation of this
wall is 80 feet from the top of the dam.
the base, and for three-fourths of the
line in the average depth of the stone
wall is 800 feet from the top Of the dam.
In some places it is 36 feet deep. The
stone used in this gigantic structure
would build a solid wall feet high. 4
feet thick and 100 miles long. The cost
of the work was $3.50, 000-a small sum
when the magnitude and difficulty of
the undertaking is considered.
BATTERY LAMB-CONFED
SALT WORKS.
Passing Battery Lamb, a Confederate
work on Reeves Point. we come to
Walden's creek, upon which were estab-
lished, in war times, large Confederate
salt works for the supply of this indis-
pensable article to the soldiers of the
South.
The salt water was carried in lighters
from New Inlet to this creek and evap-
Grated by artificial heat, producing a
fine white salt at small expense.
SHOWS ARSH-DREDGING
STEAMER CAPE FEAR.
Farther down is Shows marsh,
through which the ship channel runs.
This tortuous course has for years per-
picked and discounted navigators on ac-
count of the shifting sands and shoal-
ing water, which makes it at times al
most impossible to large vessels. For
q long time this trouble baffled the en-
gineers, but in 1895 Major w. s. Stan
ton, corps of United States engineers,
undertook to protect the channel by a
training dixie or wall of brushwood
bound in bundles by heavy wire, which
has proven highly effective.
COAST, RIVER AND HARBOR I'M
PROVEMENT.
The total expenditure of money upon
our river and harbor improvement from
the year 1929 to 1895 was S2,427, 5S4. 46,
and Congress has just appropriated a
further sum of $195,0O0 for the continu-
ance of this work.
THE CAPE FEAR QUARANTINE
STATION.
The new station is located on the east
side of the channel of Cape Fear river
about one and one-eighth miles north of
Southport. The station is built on pier
600 feet long, with gangways, dock and
ballast crib The head of the pier ex-
tends into the channel in twenty feet of
water. The general plan of the pier is
in the shape of a cross, the front of
which extends towards the shoals. The
disinfecting house is provided with the
most approved scientific appliances for
the mechanical and chemical cleansing
If disinfected vessels.
The quarantine station is in charge Of
a surgeon of the United States Hospital
Marine service, and it was built and
conducted by the United States Govern
ment.
CAPE FEAR PILOTS.
s.Near the mouth of the beautiful Cape
Fear river, on its right bank, is pleas
ant little town. 1t is famed by the de-
licious sea breezes: huge live oaks crate
fully shade its streets. In its sombre
cemetery repose the bodies of many ex-
cellent people. It's harbor Is good. 1t
is on the main channel of the river.
From its wharyes can be seen not far
away the thin white line of waves as
they break on the sandy beach. But the
ships to and from its neighbor, Whining
ton, pay little tribute as they pass and
repass. It's chief fame is that it con-
tains the court house of the county of
Brunswick Its name Is Smithville."
Thus wrote the Hon. Kemp p. Battle,
in his beautiful tribute to the memory
of the first benefactor of the State Uni
yersity, Benjamin Smith, who had serv-
ed in his youth as aide-de-camp of Wash
ington, who had behaved with conspicu-
Gus gallantry under Moultrie, when he
drove the British from Port Royal, who
had reused to enthusiasm, by an adj
dress full of energy and fire, the entire
population of Brunswick county to fol-
low his lead against their country's ene-
my, who was elected fifteen times to
the Senate, and who, in 1910, became
Governor of the commonwealth. Phi
lanthropist, patriot, soldier statesman,
he came at last, in poverty and wretch
edness, to panper's end. For him, in
1892, this charming little town was
named. 1t was previously known as
Fort Johnston, fertilization named for
the colonial Governor, Gabriel Johnston,
having been established here about 1745
for the protection of the colony against
pirates which infested the Cape Fear.
The old garrison is still one of the
sights of this healthful seaside resort
The town, or city, as it is gravely called
by its dignifed inhabitants, is now
known as Southport, and, to the credit
of its virtuous citizens, it is, also known
as dry town, in the sense that no in
toxicants are permitted to be sold within
its jurisdiction.
Smithville was a centre of busy mill
tary life during the war between the
States. Here was the headquarters OF
the Confederate general commanding
the post, and here the home of about
sixty hardy pilots whose humble sphere
was suddenly exalted to the dignity OF
the most responsible and important Of
fcers of the swift blockade running
steamers, which braved the dangers of
a hostile fleet and crept in every night
under cover of the darkness.
The Cape Fear pilots have long main
tanned a standard of excellence in their
profession most creditable to them as a
class and as individuals.
BALD HEAD--PIRATES.
Bald Head. upon which now stands