The Honolulu republican. [volume] (Honolulu, T.H.) 1900-1902, 1900-08-08
IMPROVEMENT OF CLYDE.

AS an example of what pluck anu
perseverance, coupled with splendid
ngineering skill, can accomplish N
vercoming adverse natural conditions
he development and deepening OF the
hyde river from comparatively shall
ow stream to its present efficient state
he GREATEST achievements in river i'm
'rovements to be found anywhere. The
improvements were begun as far back
1870, and contemplated depth Of
rom to 5 feet of water up to The
yharfs at Glasgow, as compared with
4 TO Is inches. which was the usual
lepth of the river in state of nature.
his work was begun by Mr.. Golborne,
md was the first work undertaken by
he Clyde Navigation Trust, which hat
been formed as early as 1859. With this
mall and modest beginning, and from
his time onward, an artificial depth Of
he river has followed every develop
nent in the size and draught of ship
1ing. In 1886, byt the efforts of such
-minent engineers as Telford, Rennie
md others, the river had been given
depth of Is feet at high water at
3roomielaw, and about to feet at
.ow water. To-day the Clyde has 4
inform depth of 80 feet at low water,
md the biggest ships afoat can be
'afely taken right into the, center of
he city Of Glasgow. This much, with
nut which Glasgow could never have
lecome the great commercial, ship
ing and shipbuilding center that 1t
low is. was achieved at cost of nearly
100000 600, and the work extended
,ver period of nearly 125 years. Dur
ng the last so years about e2,000.0a0
las been expended simply in dredging,
nd there is large fleet of steamers
nd dredgers equipped with the most
ingenious machinery constantly en-
loyed in this service. These possibili-
les of science and enterprise were so
title anticipated in the past that in
he seventeenth century Port Glasgow.
,hree miles from Grenock. indicated
oy its name. and during the last 80
-ears Ardrossan, had the ambition 10
become Giasgow's gate to the sea.
ust as on the Pacific coast Astoria.
I the entrance of the Columbia river.
aas aspired to become Portland's sea-
port. and Cuxhaven, at the mouth Of
he Eibe, once imagined that ii would
Hamburg as great seaport.
The results which have attended the
of the Clyde have been lit
le less than marvellous. Great liners
and large sailing ships enter and de-
art from Glasgow every day of the
year. and in 1898 there entered and
,leared from that city no less than
; .5a1 FL tons of shipping TO and from
every known part of the world. This
would have been clearly impossible had
he river been permitted to remain III |
Is natural state. But another marvel |
,us result OF the deepening Of ne I.
,lyde has been the magnificent shiD- |
industry which justly aas /
made the Clyde famous all over the 7.
world. These great establishments.
when have during the last half cen 1
ury turned out thousands OF all kinls
4 vessels stately ocean liners, great /
and every type and kind i
L craft. and afforded employment 70
ems OF thousands Of men. are the pride
( the clyde and Of Great Britain IN
ssS there vas launched from these
ards as vessels Of fs6.S02 tons. u
bout one-third OF all the tonnage built
, Great Britain during that year. 20
be traveller, the merchant and the
earan the words clyde huilf." as ar-
lied to q vessel, spells NOSE surely
rength. speed. comfort and safety IA
aysgation. The muddy and snxllow
lyde Of Z century ago aas become
,ajeGtic yjveg, cGpeb1e of OaIyytrg o.