Delaware gazette and state journal. (Wilmington, Del.) 1883-1902, 1901-09-05
DELAWARE RIVER AND BAY.
The Character of the improvements
Officially Approved.

The Character of the improvements
Officially Approved.
Washington, Aug. 29.-Gen. Gillespie.
the chief of engineers, who spent the greater
part OF last week inspecting the government
improvements on the Delaware Bay and
River, speaks In terms of enthusiasm OF
what Col. Charles W. Raymond has accom-
plished there as engineer in charge of the
work. In view Of Col. Raymond's departure
from Philadelphia for New York and the
termination5 OF his connection with the
Delaware River improvement, Gen. Gillespie
desires that the official reports for the cur
rent year shall present a thorough resume OF
what Col. Raymond has accomplished as
monument to his efficiency and skill as an
eng glS f., ,...,.,... :. A.,
Delaware Bay" said Gen. Gillespie yester-
day. ARE types of the earliest and latest
methods Of marine breakwater construction
adopted by the United States The old
Delaware Brenkwater, was commenced in
1928 and completed in 1893. 1t is about one
mile long, contains 1921, 687 tons of stone
and cost abjut 81, SOL, 0C0. The harbor which
1t covers has very limited area, and, gs 10
has been slowly shoaling during long
period, while the average DRIFT of sea-goinR
vessels has been increasing, It has not now
sufficient depth for the purposes OF com.
n1erce. IL IS still of great use as a harbor OF
refuge for small COASTERS and fishing vessels.
1.-The new hnrbor of refuge In Delaware
Bay was designed In 1892, with a view to
provide convenient sheltered anchorage for
vessels OF deep draft The harbor is formed
by a stone breakwater about a mile and a
half long, covering an area of 562 acres with
a minimum low water depth of 30 feet and
an additional area of 237 acres with mini
mum low water depth of "a feet. A row of
10 piers above the upper end of the harbor
protects 1t from ice descending the bay.
The construction of the breakwater and
f,iefc rva mn bprizad hv Cnnnracc N the art
Of June Sd 1896. Construction was COM
menced by the contractors, Hughes Brothers
a Bangs Of Syracuse, N. y, on May 4th
1897, and at the present time the work Is
very near completion. II is of great interest
to engineers on account of the character OF
the structures aud the fapidity with which
they have been built.
1.-THE breakwater contains about l asa, 40
| tons of stone, which have been placed in
| position in about A working months, or
| at an average rate of about $1,000 tons per
| month. In the old breakwater the greatest
| amount of stone deposited In one year was
about 200 TONS In the new breakwater
! the greatest amount deposited in one year
was 460, AGO tons, and g., 7l9 tons have been
| deposited in single month.
1.-THE work consists of a substructure of
| random stone. rising TO the level of mean
low water, surmounted by superstructure
| Of very heavy stones, carefully laid in posi-
| ton, so as to form compact wall 20 feet
Wide DIT top and al feet above mean low
water. The characteristic feature Of this
superstructure is its steep exterior slope,
| which was adopted after long and careful
study of the storm developed slopes Of the
| old brenkwater. The success of this light
| cross section in resisting storms suggests the
| probability that breakwaters of this type
| have heretofore been built of much better
A dimensions TINA are necessary when the
| stones are properly disposed. If this view
| is confirmed by experience In more ex-
posed localities great saving in the cost Of
harbors will result.
"Ihe works of the new harbor of refuge
i were estimated by q commission of engi-
neers in 1892 to cost $i,665, 600. They will
be fully completed in November. 1901, for
about 50, 239 1884. This great saving in cost
is due to the low price for the work (S1.1Sss
per ton in place., as well as to the wise
supervision exercised by Col. Raymond
over the details of the work. In order ia
execute the work at the lowest cost and al
the rate of speed required, the contractors
provided the most powerful and efficient
plant both at 1.-THE breakwater and ut tho
quarry. This Giant and the methods followed
in conducting and measuring the work will
doubtless be fully described in the final re
port. The last breakwater was begun ano
executed by Col Raymond, an engineer o.
the highest character and Httaintnents, ant
well known here.through his service as engi
neer commissioner several years ago.