The semi-weekly messenger. [volume] (Wilmington, N.C.) 1897-1908, 1900-11-20
THE ANCHORAGE BASIN
SPECIAL MEETING OF THE PRODUCE
EXCHANGE YESTERDAY
The Matter Was Laid Before the Mem
beers by Captain Lucas, of the En-
gineer Corps, Along With the Pro-
ject to Deepen the River Between
Here and Fayetteville

A special meeting or the q ex-
change was held at IL o'clock yester-
day at the rooms of the exchange to
hear the report of h committee ap-
pointed with reference to the commu-
nication of Captain E. w. VanC-
Lucus, of the United States engineer
corps, touching h projects for dredg-
ing a deep water basin and improving
the navigation Of the Cape Fear river
between Wilmington and Fayetteville.
The meeting was called to order by
President w. B. Cooper n in the alb
sence OF Colonel John l.. Cantwell, T.
w. Clawson, Of The Messenger, was re-
queSted to act as secretary.
President Cooper stated the object
of the meeting. Captain Lucas was
present.
committee to which Captain LucuS'
communication had been referred, read
it for the information of those present.
He said the committee was not pre-
pared to report yet as the members
had not had time to get up the neces-
sary statistics.
Captain Lucas was called on and he
explained fully and clearly his object
in inviting statements and arguments
furnished him as to the ~deSirabil1ty
and necessity of the anchorage basin
n for the deepening of the river
from Wilmington to Fayetteville. He
said these projects had been suggested
to him as desirable and as he is a kind
of umpire in the matter he desired in
formation upon which to report with
recommendations to the chief of the
engineer department. He assured the
committee if there is a possibility of
having the projects undertaken, this
rknnrf MUG hn Inn Mod NV arOI1-
ments and statistics showing that they
are necessary and the expenditure will
be warranted by the amount of bust
ness from water transportation.
AS to the anchorage basin
Captain Lucas said it could
not be located opposite the city, as it
would not be practical to have it there,
owing to the fact that the river is not
wide enough. He suggested that the ba-
sin might be dredged below Kidder's
mill, and that the river would have to
be dredged from bank to bank for a
mile down stream. In order to secure
an appropriation for the work, 1t must
be shown that the business of the port
warrants the expenditure. He stated
Wilmington's business by water
amounts to $35, 900, 900 a year. He said
it was necessary to show that the chan
mel is not wide enough for the purpose
of navigation. This he sal was evil
dent from the fact that the night pre-
vious a steamer stranded in the chan
mel while swinging with the tide.
Captain said he was satisfied that
enough statistics ould be furnished
with reference to the basin, u it was
necessary to get up the facts as to the
necessity for the improvement of the
river btween here n Fayetteville.
The question is to show that h COM
merce on the river between the w
points will justify the expenditure. The
!, project for the Improvement between
Wilmington and Fayetteville is a depth
of 4 feet, 6 feet and 8 feet. He thought
most likely that 4 feet proposition
would be accepted. He stated Ia the
Fayetteville chamber of is
very earnest and active in this work,
as it was desired to have an outlet for
its important manufactured products.
He said Fayetteville will do the work
for her end and it is necessary for Will
mington to show up her sid Of the
question. AS to the necessity for the
improvement of the river 1t was
shown hat on account of low water
navigation is at a stand still for three
or four months in h year. This
meant a loss of 25 to SO 1-3 per cent.
After discussing the mater with Cap
tain Lucas, Messrs. c.. H. Robinson,
d. McEachern and w. j. Bone
We're added to the committee to get
up the necessary statistics by the goth
instant, when Captain Lucas has to
send in his report.
A vote of thanks was extended to
Captain Lucas after which the meeting
adjourned.