Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-08-09
We wade de along where big vessels now take


ignorance. They make themselves RI |
diculous. 1t has been just such oppo-
sition as this that has kept Norfolk
from being big city. had rather
question than some of the men you
have interviewed. Yes, actually
would
Now, I don't question the Virgin
n-Pilot's good faith in the matter.
Not in the least. But It's the wrong
thing to do to oppose anything that
will help this port. The Norfolk and
Western is nothing to me; they haven't
| been especially good to me. 1 don't
ride on one of their free passes. I am
! for this new pier because 1t will help
Norfolk"
BOARD OF TRADE MEMBER.
| In addition to the interviews publish |
| ed, prominent member of the Board |
of Trade and Business Mems Associa-
| ton, who is, and has been closely al
lied with many of the pilots. said in
! the presence of Secretary Il. T.. Dawes
that he had talked with nearly all the
pilots of the port at one time and an
| other about the present pier at Lam
! bert's Point, and they, without excep-
! ton almost are strongly opposed even
to the existing piers. They say. (said
this gentleman) that the piers. extend
ing so far out, menace navigation con-
| Stantly.
MIR. c. w. FENTRESS.
Mr.. c. w. Fentress said: My posi-
ton is different from most of those
! you have interviewed. l rather favor
the granting of the petition. 1 look ut
| 1t in this way: The present pier is
there, and an additional one. If it is
to extend no further. as l understand.
| will do no harm.
| II believe, however. that the present
| pier projects too far out. l take it
that ii will not be cut off. and the road
has already got rs much as 1t is ask
ing for. If the present pier is to re-
main there for good. there is no use in
refusing this application
MIR. FRANK JACOBS.
MIR. Frank Jacobs, Councilman from
the Fourth Ward. said he was not suf-
iiciently posted TO give an interview.
he said If the pier would obstruct the
harbor, then he opposed it, If not, he
would like to see the pier built.
MIR. JOSEPH L. BRITTON
Mr.. Joseph Z. Britton IS enc OF the
commission merchants on Roanoke
dock, who comes in contact with the
men who bring schooners here. He
is familiar with all o. their interests.
He said that the proposed pier should
not be built if ii interfered with traffic
Then lie referred the reporter to
Capt. Wilson, as practical sailing
master, who is familiar with the har-
bor the channel and the needs OF the
small and the large vessels which ira
verse these waters.
Capt. Wilson said II the pier IS built
any further out than the present piers
are IL Will he a great obstacle TO nav
igaton. There is sand bar below the
lower pier on which tug boats are fire.
quently stranded though of light
draught. If a pier is built further out
| the sea. churning that sound constant
ly, will move the sand bar further
! across the channel He explained that
it is the unavailable habit of detected
water tn build sand-banl>s. and that
pier extended beyond the present piers
would make the sand bar worse than
Il Is now, AMI the channel or the other
side Of 1t near Crancy Island narrower.
II. on the contrary. Il pier OF the same
length be built the suction of the sea
will be increased. 1t Is so great now
that none of the large ships can go
by Lambert's Point piers without de-
crcasing speed. They go under ono
bell" that is ut about one-half the
usual speed If they were TO go faster
the pilot would lose control and the
vessel would swcrve till she ran her
nose into the opposite bank.
Capt. Wilson expresses his disap-
prevail Of either course of the Norfolk
and Western. II should not build a
longer pier. but shorter ones. There
might be nifty shorter piers and n
wider channel.
PRUDEN & SPRATLEY.
Mcssrs Pruden & Spratley, commits
sion merchants at Roanoke dock
! speakinS the sentiments OF tnc many
schooner masters they meet every DAY.
said that they are opposed to the pro-
, poscd pier 1t is always difficult and
frequently dangerous TO tack vessel
about Lambert's Point piers. mere Is
not enough water. II the channel We're
wider the difficulty would be so much
decreased that n schooner might steer
almost a direct course. The schooners
exnerIencc the most trouble of the
smaller class of vessels. or course the
greater trouble the longer it takes TO
bring the truck. produce and fowls 10
market That causes a greater expense
which must be borne here by the per-
sons who buy this merchandise. The
loss. If any, by delay il borne by the
. farmer who cant get his produce TO
market I'm time. Those piers at Lam
) bert's Point are great Interruptions to
traffic. They should be cut off.
MIR. f. BALANCE.
Mr.. T.. Balance has n commission
store on Roanoke dock and, therefore.
meets all of the schooner masters who
, ply In and out the harbor here. He is.
also. an old sailing master himself:
therefore his talk Is Intensely practical.
He saws Il man need not be II sailing
master to see how the I-amberts Point
piers ohstruct traffic. Look up or
; down the harbor for example. and you
! cannot see tho lights fixed to warn
mariners. Looking down from this side
q pilot can't sec the light on the other
side till he turns the bend. One of
those good sized steamers can't stop
within n mile Within that distance II
she has ACQUIRED much speed. she is
likely to run down small vessel. or
, come in collision with a larger vessel
This harbor should not be contracted.
1t should be widened.
, Labor Day Parade.