Peninsula enterprise. [volume] (Accomac, Va.) 1881-1965, 1904-01-16
Oyster Harbor 10 Oct no Improve
ment.

ments in accordance thereWltn ny
the Secretary of War, shows that
there is no prospect for an improve
ment of Oyster Harbor, Va, under
the river and harbor act:
II made an examination of Oyster
Harbor, Va, August 2, and have the
honor to submit the following report
of same:
1.-Two and one-half miles east from
Oheriton, the first station on the
New York, Philadelphia and Norfolk
raildroad, northerly from Cape
Charles, City, Va, is the new post
office and town of Oyster. 1t is at the
edge of the salt marsh which, with
the numerous inlets and bays, forms
a separation eight miles wide OF the
fast land from the Atlantic ocean.
About two-thirds of a mile east from
the town is a channel fifteen to
eighteen feet deep and 800 to 4OO feet
wide, extending in north and south
direction, known as the Thorough
fare. One mile north from this point
the south and north branches OF the
Thoroughfare unite and form wide
and deep channel, flowing eastward
and emptying into the Atlantic ocean
between Cobb Island and Wreck
Island. This is known as Sand Shoal
channel. The south branch OF the
Thoroughfare and the shallow bays
adjoining it in the vicinity OF the
town of Oyster have lately become
locally known as Oyster Harbor. 1t
makes splendid harbor for boats
engaged in the oyster, clam and fish
industry, and is used by several
hundred boats of this kind during
the oyster season. They lie in this
harbor over Sundays, because it is
one of the nearest and most conven,
lent approaches to fast land where
they can obtain water and provisions.
"There is cut one store in the town
of Oyster and twenty to twenty i've
houses. This store is said to be kept
busy all night Saturdays and all OF
Sundays during the oyster season,
supplying the oystermen. From the
Thoroughfare to the store the APP
nroach can be made through shall
low inlet with skiff except at low
tide when this runs dry at the upper
end.
"What the interested parties want
and have asked for is the dredging OF
canal from deep water in the
Thoroughfare to a point near the
store six feet deep and fifty to sixty
feet wide, the length being approx
mately two-thirds mile. The inter
est that would be benefited by the
improvement are the following:
"(a) The Oyster and Fish Industry
Besides the convenience to a large
number of fishermen provisioning
weekly, it is claimed that with such
canal this would become an i'm
portant point for the shipment of
CLAIMS and fish. CLANS are now ship
ped via Oyster and the nearest rail-
road station (Cheriton) at the rate of
about two carloads per week in par
tial car lots, Notwithstanding that
they must all be lightered to reach
shore. The improvement would
doubtless result In increasing the
shipment of CLANS from this point.
1t is claimed also that oyster-canning
factories will be established as soon
as this improvement is assured, which
is doubtless correct.
"(b) Private Interests-Messrs. w.
L. Travis and and ]. B. Williams,
through whose influence, l am in
formed, an examination was ordered
by Congress, own the land at Oyster
and also farms in the vicinity. 1t is
claimed that with this improvement
assured they would be enabled to sell
some hundreds of building lots to
oyster fishermen and others who
would make this their home. Mr.. w.
7. Travis also owns and manages the
store and at present has monopoly
on trade at this point.
"(c) Specimens Interests-During
the autumn and winter season hun.
dreds of sportsmen visit this point at
tracted by the fishing and shooting,
and they seek convenient means of
reaching water. The one hotel In the
town, built in connection with the
store by w. T. Travis, is frequently
taxed tofull capacity to accommodate
sportsmen.
ITO carry out the desired improve
ment would doubtless result In great
convenience to the oystermen in
those waters, and, in so far as it
would assist in more easily and
cheaply getting clans to market,
would be a financial benefit. The
oystermen and fishermen desire the
improvement, also the farmers in the
vicinity who would be enabled to
supply the oystermen with much
produce. But the large share of BEN
efits resulting from such improve
ment would be enjoyed by one or two
private individuals. The improve
ment would doubtless result in max
ing the town of Oyster an important
fishing village.
THE cost of the improvement can
not be ascertained without survey,
but would probably be $4,000 to
$15, 000.-Times-Dispatch.