Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-08-01

AS stated in yesterdays virginian-
Pilot, we to-day give further interviews
in the important matter relative to
norfolk and Western piers at Lam
berts Point that will come before the
Board of Harbor Commissioners at it's
meeting this noon:
MIR. CALDWELL HARDY.
Mr.. Caldwell Hardy spoke in no UNI
certain manner on the subject of en-
croachments on the natural water APP
proach to this port. He said light
houses are erected and maintained to
mark shadows and dangerous spots.
This was the object in erecting the
LambertS Point lighthouse. Outside
OF It was the deep channel for deep
draft vessels, while inside of it was a
swered perfectly for the great fleet OF
small craft that came to this port.
He stated that the coal piers should
not have been permitted to approach
nearer than 1,2oo TO 1880 feet OF Lam
bert's Point lighthouse. This great
open space could then have been
dredEed out from time to time as
necessary for the increasing demands
of shipping.
Mr.. Hardy suggested that If increas-
ed height was desired in n pier or piers
at that point this result could be OBJ
tanned by starting the inclines further
in than at high water mark. He stated
that when the present piers were erect
ed, land in that vicinity was cheap and
that even yet IL would be better that
such Il system should be adopted rather
than have further encroachments on
the water area. If n new pier is erect
ed north of the present pier Mr.. Hardy
suggests that it is for the best inter
ests of the port that it should be far
back toward the shore line in order
that no other costly permanent OBJ
struction be located near the Port
Warden'S line or the natural channel:
If the time comes, as it likely will.
when the present piers should be CON
demned and shortened so as to restore
light draft navigation between Lam
bert's Point lighthouse and the shore,
the expense will not be increased by
further costly piers there. One objec-
ton to the present piers that Mr..
Hardy stated he knew from his own
experience to be n fact, was the dan
ger to vessels and crews by reason OF
the view of the channel being shut off
by the pier, resulting in collisions and
danger to life and property. He stated
that he had himself been on boats
that had close shaves Mt this point.
MIR. WALTER II. DOYLE.
Mr.. Walter II. Doyle. an ex-member
of the harbor board. when interviewed.
spoke conservativey. but said the in
terests of the port should be most
jealousy guarded. and any proposition
to extend piers to or near the Port
Warden's line should be examined most
carefully and action should be taken
only after the most mature elaboration
and weighing of the proposition in all
its bearings.
Mr.. Doyle was n member OF the board
that succeeded the Groner Board of
Harbor Commissioners. and that
strongly condemned the action of the
Groner board in the following lam
guaSe:
Upon personal examination of the
premises proposed to be thus occupied.
we are of the opinion that it would
have been far better in every view If
the line in the immediate vicinity of
Lambert's Point Lighthouse had been
established Il considerable distance in
side he present line, as originally re-
commended by the United States Ad-
visory Board. But inasmuch as the
late Board of Harbor commissioners
legally established the line, which is
now occupied by costly improvements.
the removal of which would involve "A
heavy charge TO the cities of Norfolk
and Portsmouth and county of Norfolk.