Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1900-07-26
MARKEI.SIREEI BRIDGE.

Letter Sent by Harlan a. HoIiingsworth Co.
to War Department May Have Important
Consequences.
short time ago It was limited that
the Levy Court might have to make
alterations to the Market street bridge
over the Christiana River. That the
situation may require new bridge or
at least the removal OF the entire
centre pier Of the present structure, de-
veloped at the session OF the Levy
Court Tuesday, when complaint by the
Harlan Il Hollingsworth 20. to the
Secretary of War was read. The COIN
pany sent to the court copy Of its
letter to the Secretary of War, which
was as follows:ea u gUi,iad 10 Gilct1
Wilmington, Del, June Goth, 1900
To the Honorable Secretary Of War,
Washington. d. C.--Sir:
|. We would respectfully petition that
the centre pier of tho bridge over the
ChrIstiana River at the foot Of Market
street, Wilmington, DEL. be removed
| and such a bridge substituted therefor
as will provide free and unimpeded
navigation of the Christiaua River ut
this point.
2. We are prepared to hid on the new
| battle ships, cruisers, &C., recently
aubibliZtht uhNluS dfouhy q iuby
equipped plant in every particular for
such purpose and expecting soon to
| have a uniform depth of q feet at
mean low water along our wharves, and
from thence to the Delaware River, but
unfortunately We are prevented from
bidding on tho largest of these con.
structions on account of not being able
to deliver such vessels safely through
the above mentioned bridge.
| 3. In number of instances, lately,
we were obliged to decline proposed
new work of the largest class, although
we could have constructed these vessels
| to the same advantage as our COM
Eetitors, because they were OF size
larger than could be safely nnvigated
on the Christiana River, while the said
impeachment exists.
4. We trust ycu will consider our
| petition as n proper one as being within
our legal rights in accordance with act
Of Congress of March Sd. 1899, entitled
IAN Act for the Protection and Pre-,
servation of the Navigable Waters OF
the United States, section 49,.
Awaiting your favorable action, we
are, very respectfully, H. T. Cause.
The communication aroused interest,
il not concern. in the minds of the
Levy Court. 1t was decided to refer
the matter to the bridge committee anc
to John II. Rodney, the attorney of tht
court.
VIM. T. Green, tender of the Marke
street bridge, was in the court room
Tuesday. He said that the bridg,
has channel of % feet on each sid,
of the pier and the pier is about 2.
feet across. Mr.. Green thought on,
way out of the difficulty would be tt
move the pier to one side and use onl,
one channel. Or, the approaches nigh
be cut down eight feet and that length
added to the bridge. Mr.. Green be
lieves there is some objection to tn
protecting pier, which is about 25
feet long over all and 30 feet wide. Oh
the west side of the bridge this pie
extends to such distance that q larg
vessel leaving Harlan's finds difficult
in navigating around the bend into th
bridge channel.
This resolution was adopted:
Resolved, That the bridge and ap
proaohes on the public road fror
Blaokbird TO Blackbird station on th
Delaware railroad at Lore's, no,
Records mill, heretofore kept up b
the road commissioners OF Blackbir
: 10 hCi1hibOl htph w ahA as
!, sumed by the Levy Court Of Ne,
Castle county.
The claim of the Sarah A. Whit
Home for $40. "a for overpaid taxes wa
allowed.
President Scott has received sketc
plan showing proposed road fror
Vance's Neck road to the road runnin
: from Augustine Pier to Macdonougt
The distance is about half mile an
the route is that of the old Silver Ru
! road, crossing Silver Kun. By tillin
7 six feet, Mr.. Scott believes the oil
/, road can be elevated above the hig
! tide. Bids are tic be asked for. A
, present, through lack OF conveniol
|, road some children have to go abo,
seven miles to reach school not tv
!, miles away. On this account 9th,
. children do pot go to school al, all.
A recess was taken until p. m.