The morning Astorian. [volume] (Astoria, Oregon) 1899-1930, 1904-08-14
A SHALLOW SHIP CHANNEL.

The following editorial from the New York Trib-
une viii prove of general interest in seaport cities:
Valuable service to the merchant marine has been
performed by recent study Of the behavior of large
steamships when entering and leaving New York
harbor. The results are embodied in a report by
Henry n Babcock, which appears in the latest issue
of Engineering News" Speaking of the matter
edtoriay that periodical says that the investigation
just made is probably the first careful one ever
undertaken.
1t has long been known that the draught of yes
sci is increased by motion The phenomenon is es-
pecialy noticeable with steam yachts, whose sterns
are much depressed when the boats are running at
full speed The "squat'' of big vessels has not at
tracted much attention, and might well have been
overlooked. Ordinarily where there is plenty of
water, the depression is trifing Off Fort Wads-
worth, in the Narrows, where the channel is so feet
Deep scarcely any of the large transatlantic steam
ships show squat" of more than foot In the
shaower places in the lower bay, however, and near
Sandy Hook, the change often amounts to three or
four feet, and maximum of four and one-half feet
has been observed. The government has provided a
channel whose depth at mean low tide is at least 81
feet but there are several vessels now coming to New
York regularly which, if fully loaded, would draw
from 80 to 35 feet Their arrival and departure are
timed with special reference to the tide so that be-
tween "a and 81 feet of water is theoretically avail
able. squat" of from two to four feet however,
materially dimnishes the clearance and it is not
a1a1 20
without injury. Now that the facts are more fully
recognized than formerly the trouble can be further
minimized by slowing down in the shallowest parts
of the channel, since the squat bears definite
relation to speed. resort to that policy, however
still further adds to the waste Of time
Still another precauton must be observed in order
to get in and out of the harbor safely Less freight
must be taken than some of these vessels can carry
and their capacity for earning is correspondingly
reduced II is notorious fact that the Baltic, the
latest addition to the White Star line, is unable to
take full load for this reason and is less remuner
atve to her than they have right to expect
A moderate degree Of relief will be afforded when
the new ship channel in the lower bay is completed
It will not only be several miles shorter than the one
used by the largest vessels but it will also give
40 feet of water at low tide. Any steamships now
afoat should then be able to come in without
hindrance at almost any hour of the day. but if they
run at full speed there will not be too much water
Unfortunately, the channel is not likely to be
open for two or three years. and the question arises
What ought to be done in the meantime! To deepenl
the old channel may seem an extravagant proceed
ing, particularly it will doubtless be abandoned
entirely before long. To reorganize the plan for
the other so as to provide 45 feet, would probably
be more sensible.