Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-12-25
INLAND SHIP CANAL.
Possibilities If the Proposed
North Carolina Waterway.
1t Should Reach Cape Fear-Review of an
Article in tho New York Tribune Con-
corning Subject Now Much Talked CT.

The Wilmington Star of Saturday
contains the following, which will be
| read with interest by the people of this
city and section:
The Richmond Dispatch OF a few
days ago reviewed editorially an arti-
Gle in the New York Tribune based
upon the announcements of the compile
ton of the North Carolina ship canal
| survey. In view of the fact that the
article touches very pointedly upon the
project of Wilmington's proposed
| canal. which was discussed at some
length in connection with the proceed
! ings of the Chamber of Commerce yes
terday, the Star prints the Dispatches
| comments upon the subject, as follows.
AS defined by the survey, the route
is from Norfolk. Va, through the Dis
NAL Swamp canal to Albemarle sound,
thence through either the Scuppernong
river or Croatan sound to Pamlico
| sound. and thence to Beaufort through
| either Core sound or the Neuse and
Newport canal. The opening of this
route of navigation would give a more
direct passage from Norfolk to Beau
| tort than THAT afforded by rail, and
much more direct and far safer than
the outside water route around Cape
Hatteras. 1t would also tap the Chow
an, Roanoke. Tar and Neuse rivers and
of the State with waterways
Such system of inland coast nav
lgation, the Tribune continues. could
not well be extended much if any, to
the south Of Beaufort. Possibly Bocue
sound might be improved and utilized
to Bogue inlet, but beyond that point
there are no inland coast waters that
offer Il promise OF navigation until the
Indian river, in Florida is reached.
true, there are numerous lagoons be-
tween BoSue inlet and Cape Fear river
and the land is low, so that canal
between Beaufort and Wilmington
might be constructed. and 1t would
not be impossible to continue it by
the way of the Waccamaw and PcClcc
rivers to Georgetown, and thence by
the way of the Wanda to Charleston
ana so on to Savannah
'"Northward from Norfolk. however.
there is clearer sailing. The Chesa-
peake bay affords q superb waterway
almost up to the Pennsylvania line
and from the head of its navigable
waters it is only a short distance by
canal across sand flats to the Della
ware river The latter is navigable
by all craft at Philadelphia, and for
vessels of considerable size to Borden
town. From the latter city there is
canal navigation TO the Raritan. at
New Brunswick, and thence, of course
there is a fine inland waterway to
New York. From New York there is
cross country waterway by the Hud-
son river and Erie canal to the system
of the Great Lakes and ST. Lawrence
river. There is also the way up the
coast. by Long Island sound to Buzz
yards bay, and thence. by the con-
struction of a short canal to Cape Cod
bay and Boston.
Leaving out of the calculation the
more difficult problem referred to by
the Tribune-eXtension of the canal
south OF Beaufort-it will be seen that
with but comparatively little cost and
labor a great inland coast waterway,
with only two or three points of eX-
posture to the high seas, could he open
ed between Boston, Mass and Beau
| fort n. G. Such an avenue would, at
all times, prove of great advantage to
n certain class of coastwise commerce.
| while in times of war IL would be also
invaluable to the government in the
matter of moving light draft coast de-
! Tense vessels
! TREACHEROUS HATTERAS ROUTE
The Charlotte Observer of yesterday
reprints the article above and adds
editorally:
THE treacherous Hatteras route on
the outer water way is always danger
Gus. and especially to the smaller craft
engaged in coaStwise trade. The peace
full waters of this sheltered canal would
he an inestimable boon to such vessels.
North CHTU1THa WOUfd De especially
benefited by this waterway, for 1t ex-
tends the whole breadth of the State,
| and, as pointed out. taps the Chowan,
Roanoke. Tar and Neuse rivers. and.
If the whole length of canal is ever
built. 1t will also tap the Cape Fear.
and thus will tend to build up a larger
river trade in the eastern part of the
State. In war time, too, the torpedo
boats and smaller war vessels. and.
presumably, such n formidable naval
machine as the Holland submarine
torpedo boat. could utilize the canal to
slip from one ocean port to another to
surprise blocSading or threatening
fleet of the enemy. This waterway
touches North Cardinals interests
closer than the vast Nicaragua Canal.
Watch Night Service.
This time honored custom, inaugu-