New-York tribune., 1906-07-30
COAST IN CRATE DANGER.
Shifting Sands Threaten Destruction
to Hmbors and Shellfshing.

Trenton July 20 Especially The shiftness Of
the sands along the shores Of New Jersey has
become a serious matter, and the board of man.
ayers Of the Geological Survey has become in
terested. At the recent session of Congress
1t asked that permission be given the state
authorities to make such improvements at the
states expense as would preserve the inlets and
grounds devoted to the culture of oysters from
utter annihilation by the shifting of sandbars.
which occurs whenever there is heavy south
easterly storm
When the request was made Of the Committee
on Rivers and Harbors last year that Congress
give some aid to New Jersey in its efforts TO
preserve its inlets and small bays from the en-
croachments OF the sea. that body answered that
the estimates of the War Department for such
work approximated $500. 100000 and that many
of the results to he obtained were neither eco
nomical nor desirable. Action was indefinitely
postponed.
The government did examine all the important
inlets of the New Jersey coast and declare them
unworthy of improvement by national funds
The managers OF the Geological Survey have
declared that the coastwise commerce of the
state is falling into decay, harbOrs of refuge Tor
small but valuable seagoing craft are becoming
unavailable and bodies of salt water suitable
and profitable for the commercial cultivation Of
shellhsh likely to be destroyed.
Under the present law engineering work of any
description upon the coast is prohibited unless
It is recommended by the chief of engineers and
authOrized by the Secretary of War.
Last May bill introduced in Congress
asking that authority be given the state OF
New Jersey to improve the channels on the
New Jersey seacoast by the construction OF
piers, jetties or breakwaters.
The bill was amended and reported back 20
the Senate by the Committee Commerce. II
did not weather the storm and was in the
morgue at the close Of the session.
One of the points along the Jersey coast that
con Inlet at the northern limit of Atlantic City.
Formerly local shipping conveyed brick, lumber
and other bulky material to an inner basin. But
that trade has greatly fai,3n off because OF the
growing shallowness of the water.
In 1886 there was eleven feet Of water in the
channel at high water: in 1898 there was only
seven feet. In the ten years before 1898 shipping
the bar, and in that year more than twenty-five
vessels were sent away because of their draft
In 1897 100000 tons of shipping were received
but in 1898 only 10000 tons were delivered.
AS a consequence of conditions existing
natural and artificial boundaries are destroyed
and lighthouses, namely, Barnegat. Absecon and
Hereford are ruined or endangered.
At Little Egg HarbOr in 1903 vessels drawing
fifteen to eighteen feet of water could enter
Now II is almost impossible for a vessel of
shallow draft TO get into the harbor All that
the state asks is permission to spend it's own
money for the improvement of its harbors and
inets.
Another effort will be made by the New Jersey
delegation at the next session Of Congress to get
permission from the federal government to go
ahead and improve and preserve the inlets and