The Caucasian. (Clinton, N.C.) 188?-1913, 1904-03-03
INLAND WAFER WAY REPORT
A flatier Of Vital importance Affect.
f,... = Csfoitna Commerce

s"k
4 matter OF very decided interest
10 North Carolina transpired Tuesday
when the Secretary OF War transmit.
ted 10 Congress the report OF the ex-
animation and survey Of the proposed
:niGhi waterway from Norfolk to
Beaufort Inlet. This great project,
in behalf Of which Congressman
Small has wrought so effectively, on
ly received III measure the approval
OF the engineers. The fact was set
forth that there we're numerous alter
native locations subject to the con-
sideratiOn of the board OF engineers,
and that the route selected-via Coop
er Creek, Rose Bay, Adams Creek
and Beaufort Inlet covered q total
distance Of etout 900 miles. 1t is es-
tlmated that the work OF construct
ing 16-foot channel, as contemplate
cd in Mr.. Smaii's bill. would aggre-
gate SiG,000.000, and that Sl50,000
would nave tC be spent annually on
maintenance. The special board OF
engineers, in their report submitted
several months ago, estimated that
the cost of the project was not out
Of proportion 10 present and prospec-
tive commerce, but the regular board
for rivers and harbors, In the report
made public today, expresses the
opinion that II is not advisable to un-
dcrtake the construction OF the water
way with a channel not less than Is
feet in depth, but the belief is ad.
vanced that a channel Of less depth
would be 4 great advantage TO COM
mercial traffic and the military inter-
csts involved, and the recommends
tiOn is made that Il new inquiry De
made by Congress, with view u
asceraining the cost Of a channel
10 or Il feet deep, ard Of suitable
width The report says it is Gues-
tionable whether the protection offer
ed by the proposed canal which would
enable vessels to avoid Cape Halter
aS would Offset the hazards Of enter
Ing between the capes Of Chesapeake
during stormy weather. and the ex-
penee Of tJWlge through canal and
consequent loss of time. The present
coast-wise commerce between North
and South Atlantic ports is carried on
by sailing vessels and steamers. and
doubt is expressed whether any con-
siderable number Of the larger YES
sells would forego the advantages OF
| ocean navigation for the restricted
| canal route.
Just now, while the expansion OF
| the navy is receiving so much atten-
| ton from Congress and the country.
| another part Of the report VIII be
| read with peculiar interest. The val
| ue of tho proposed waterway, for
| purposes OF coast defense. it is stated,
| is undoubted, but it would by no
| means be considered constant mil
itsry quantity. In the days of the
small navy, containing many craft
| built primarily for coast ""fense,
such waterway would have Leen
| Of more value than at this time, when
| our naval strength is coming to be
| measured In battleships and armored
| cruisers OF deep draft, capable. under
some circumstances, Of seeking the
enemy On its own coast. and compel
| led to defend possessions remote
from Our seaboard. While the Con
gress will some Cay, encourage
scheme less pretentious, the follow
| ing letter Of Chief Mackenzie, of the
board of engineers, would indicate
that the advocates of the enterprise
| will have to alter present plans: i
| concur in the view of the board OF
| engineers for rivers and hGrbors tnat
it is not advisable for the United
States to expend s10.000.000 in con
| structing a channel 16 feet deep from
| Norfolk to Beaufort Inlet