Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-11-07
DELAWARE RIVER IMPROVEMENT,


The Chief of Engineers Suggests six Hun.
dred and Fifty Thousand DoIlkrs for the
River and Fifty Thousand Dollars for
Wilmington Harbor.
Brigadier. General Gillespie, chief
OF engineers, in his annual report, made
public ia Washington last week, esti-
mates that it will require s650, 600 for
the work on the Delaware River for the
FISCAL year ending June 30th, 1908. He
says that IL will take So, $40, 600 for the
completion Of the existing project. On
July 1st, 1901, there was an available
ba ance Of $403, $50 fof work on the
Delaware. In speaking about the i'm.
provement OF the Delaware, the report
says:
A board Of engineers, convened for
the purpose Of considering the subject
OF the permanent improvement of Della
ware River and Bay, recommended,
under date of January 23d, 1886, The
formation OF q ship channel from a
point opposite Philadelphia and about
midway between the American Shin
Building Go. 8 yard and the gas trust
wharf to deep water in Delaware Boy,
having at least width of 600 feet and
Q depth of 20 feet at mean low water.
The estimated cost of obtaining a
channel vi the above dimensions was
about 50, 425, 700, which covered the
estimated cost of the permanent i'm.
Frovement of the Delaware River be.
tween the upper part of Philadelphia
and deep water In the bay.
The estimates for improvements in
clude these figures; Delaware River,
$3.50. COO; Wilmington harbor, $50, GOO
inland water way from Chiucoteaeue
Bay, Va, to Delaware Bay, $50. 00O.
Speaking about the defences Of the
Delaware River, the report says:
The defences include two masonry
works of old tyne, one of which is in
charge OF an ordnance sergeant. No
new work Is contemplated at this site,
Modern batteries have been erected at
the other site and are being cared for
by small detachment of troops.
Modern works of defence are also located
at Two other points on the river, which
are garrisoned.
At the beginning of the fiscal year
the following batteries Of modern type
had been completed and turned over to
the artillery: One battery for three
IL inch and three l0inch guns, on dis.
appearing carriages; one battery for two
4. 12-inch rapid fire guns, on pedestal
mounts; one battery for Is. 12.inch b.
L. moriars; one battery for two S.inch
guns, on disappearing carriages, and
two l2-inch gum, on non disappearing
carriages.
Two steel instrument towers for
battery commanders stations are in
course OF erection. The work has been
retarded by delays in the delivery of
materials and by extensive alterations
neoessitated by the poor fitting of many
OF the parts. Two stations for Rafferty,
range-fnders have been built
during the year, under various
allotments from appropriations for
preservation and reIair of fortified.
tions, electric lighting plants we're
operated and cared for, repairs were
made to battery slopes, lead flashing
was placed over joints in the platforms
to prevent leakage, iron work was
painted, the entrance walls of one bat.
terry we're torn down and rebuilt, the
ground near another battery was cleared
and graded. repairs were made to river
BANKS and wharves and other works of
maintenance and repair were carried
on.