The Providence news. (Providence [R.I.]) 1891-1906, 1906-02-08
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The report OF the special commission to
examine into the conditions affecting the
shipping interests OF the state in Provi-
dence harbor and tho adjacent waters OF
Narragansett bay was presented in the
senate this morning.
The commissioners give some statistics
relative to the harbor and Narragansett
limit OF safe coastwise navigation and Is
therefore the natural party Of entry TO
New England for coastwise traffic.
The length OF the bay is 1884 miles and
it's middle width is 739 miles. The tide
flowed area is l24S square miles OF which
about IA square miles are channels and
possible anchorage grounds having -
depth OF - feet or. more at mean sea
level. The rise and fall OF the average
tide is a. feet.
All three OF the channels leading up
the bay from the open sea have a depth
OF at least % feet at mean low water
with a slight exception on the enst cndn-
mel. The report says the attention of
the congressional rivers and harbors
committee has been called TO improve
ments which might be made at two or
three points on these channels and Il is
hoped the government will make the de-
sired improvements
One point is southeasterly from Rocky
Point and another northerly from Conim;-
cut Point. Al these places there are small
shoals projecting into tho channel, which
II would be of advantage to cut away
The third place is between Fields Point
and Bell Light Here the strightenlns OF
the channel is contemplated at an esti-
mated cost OF $500 o00. The new straight
channel would be a great convenience TO
all vessels entering or leaving the upper
harbor and there would be n gain by ad-
ding the old channel to the possible an
chorage ground.
The report calls attention Co the need
OF light and sound signal on Ohio ledge.
The length OF the shore line OF the bay
Is given at l4 miles and the shore line.
OF the islands at lO4 miles.
IL is only the upper harbor that has
restricted accommodations for anchorage.
but the government Is now at work on
charging the anchorage ground 10 Ill
acres and this whole ground will have
depth OF % feet at low tide. With n
minimum channel depth OF 25. feet there
will be the same unobstructed depth from
the head OF the harbor 10 the sea.
The commissioners call attention 10 the
desirability of public wharves and ad-
vises the construction Of them from time
to time. 10 be used as they arc needed
by the demands OF commerce. Nearly
all the wharves i'm Providence harbor are
now occupied effectively for private pur-
poses. The commissioners believe the
public will be sufficiently protected n the
state takes direct possession OF the un-
improved shore and develops wharves
with convenient facilities.
There are three tracts OF floats I'm the
upper harbor which II is deemed advisable
to develop for anchorage. Two border on
Aliens avenue and extend 20 the harbor
line. and the third is on the east side
Of the inner harbor I'm the town OF East
Providence. The two tracts on the west
side. II taken by the state, will bring the
public holding up 10 IS per cent. OF the
west side below the bridges.
For the location Of the first wharf n
point opposite Bay street, about 40 feet
south Of the gas company property. is
suggested n is proposed 10 make the
pier 175 feet wide with slips coo feet long
on each side The estimated cost is $685.
coo
Long time low-rate bonds are recon-
mended as good method Of raising the
necessary funds FOR the improvements
The issue contemplates 10000 worth OF
bonds I'm 10000 instruments