Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-08-12
GuNBoAT CHESAPEAKE.
MAKING A RE-SURVEY OF JANE
RIVER OYSTER GROUNDS.

III I<lA ~ ! = / Elk NiItOC NlDS.
The Daily Press. of Newport News, in
its issue of yesterday. saws:
The re-survey OF the oyster plantinr
grounds of the James river from Null
berry Island down to Hampton Roads.
is we'll under way. The survey marty is
at work on the State oyster gunhoat
chesapeake. Captain Hudsins COM
handing. and during the rc-cstablish-
ment OF the old survey the Chesaueallo
makes Newport News it's lying-ovcr
port, and during the evening Captain
iiudgins is taking advantage of the op-
portunity TO call on his friends. Of
whom he has number here.
THE Stale Board OF Fisheries ordered
the re-survcy OF the Warwick ana Eliz-
abeth city county oyster lands several
weeks ago, and directed that the work
begin this week. on Tuesday the
Chesapeake arrived here and the fol-
lowing day the survey party went out
on the steamer and inaugurated it's
work.
The survey is being conducted under
the supervision of Hon. l.. c. Madison
Oyster Inspector for this district. The
oyster planting grounds will he gone
over from Mulberry Island. up the
James river. all the way down 10
hampton. There has long existed 81
great necessity for a new survey of ovs-
ter grounds in this. as we'll as other
confusion has been caused by reason of
lack OF definite information about
painting grounds and because of the
hcShSence OF planters in not marking
their grounds. The present survey will
correct many evils of this nature. If
Will be as thorough and complete as il
is possible TO make it, In order 10
facilitate the work of the SURVEYORS !.
is necessary that all planters have their
corners properly marked. for all ground
found not marked will be declared for.
rent"
In addition to Captain Hudgins and
MI Madison there are aboard the
ohesa peake, when the work is being
carried on. Major Semple. engineer for
Elizabeth City county, and Mr.. Ed
mund. engineer for Warwick county.
The surveyors believe that thny cnn
complete the work in fifteen DAYS
more, but will certainly consume that
much time. they say.
On August 10 the Chesapeake will
NOT DC on duty as the State Board OF
Fisheries VIII hold an important meet
ing at Old Point on that day, and can
tain HudSins Will take his steamer
there. at this meeting of the board il
is probable that negotiations viii he
consummatcd for the purchase OF n
schooner for oyster police duty on the
James river. keeping watch over the
Hampton Roads. Mr.. Miller, of the
board, is now on the Eastern Shore
examining some vessels which are be-
lieved to be suitable for this work.
Captain Hudgins. speaking OF the
survey now i'll progress. said that a
number of planters have been found
as usual who claim Il great deal more
oyster ground than they pay taxes for
There are a whole lot of these walk
ing stakes out there in the James
which shift as the convenience of the
owners demand ! am glad to sec that
the Board of Fisheries proposes to pur-
chase vessels for police patrol duty on
the James. 4 small sailer. with good
speed and little draft. is what Is need
ed. a boat will probably be brought
from the Eastern Shore in a few days
1t will be manned Immediately and
put to work
"They need n boat of this kind here
very much. The way those fellows
over there on the Nansemond side run
things to suit themselves is an out
rage. You see. our boat cannot so in
far enough to catch them. The Chesa-
peake draws eight feet Of water Well.
those fellows keep at work until they
see lis coming and then they skip. OF
course we can't go after them. because
there is not enough water. But with
4 fast sailcr. drawing three of four
feet OF water. that business can be
stopped.
Backed Into tho River.
q o.