Evening journal., 1907-09-12
JERSEY FERRY
IS COMING SOON
Capitalists Already Talking
Of Establishing Much
Needed Service
COUNCIL COMMITTEE
ASKED TO AID PROJECT

The probability Of a river front wharf
and a ferry service between this city
and Pennsgrove is not as remote as
many people believe. Following the
activity of the Board of Trade in the
matter has come an offer from a conf
pany OF capitalists TO build a wharf
here and TO establish a ferry service
between the points, provided, of
course. the city continues to agitate
the movement. The hackers of
the company is unknown to the
general public. but that the capitalists
viii do what they say is assured by
persons who are in touch with them.
Assistant Secretary McGovern, of the
Board Of Trade. sent to the navigation
and transportation committee Of City
Council to-day a letter inviting the
committee to participate in a confer
ence on the river front subject with
the navigation and transportation
committee OF the Board of Trade. and
it is expected that the latter win be
acted upon at a meeting OF Council
tonight. The Board of Trade wants
to know from the members OF the
committee OF Council if they think the
matter of a wharf on the river front
is feasible. and if so where the wharf
can be erected and what financial as
sistance the Council can give toward
the project 1t is known that the city
can give little financial assistance, IL
any. to the project at this time, but
as the wharf could not be built this
year it is suggested that Council make
preparation for a bond issue for the
purpose next year, by which time the
matter viii have fully come to a head.
The members of Council. as indi-
viduals. favor the development OF the
river front. which gives ground for the
hone that they later will have the city
aid the project as much as possible.
Bulkheading is Necessary.
To build the wharf win necessitate
the bulkheading of the land on the
river front and the huiug in of a por-
ton Of Cherry Island marsh. which
extends from a point below Edge
Moor 10 the Christiana lighthouse. A
government blue print showing the
/ land is now In the hands of Secre-
tary McGovern. The pint also shows
the soundings Of the river from the
State Inc to Delaware CITY, as made
/ by the government engineers. OPP
posite this city the deepest water is
, 35 feet and the shallowest 80 feet. OF
course this is the channel, the water
inshore being as low as five feet. Be-
] fore a ferry service could be establish
ed the river would have to be dredged
TO a depth OF at least so feet into the
| bulkhead. and as Wilmington would
benefit by this work. ii is felt that
the city should help bear the expense
Of the dredging. Some persons say
the city should purchase a dredge and
begin the work at once, but Others
declare the city cannot take upon it.
self such a great undertaking. How
ever. all agree that a river front wharf
is bv no means an uncertainty, and
there appears TO be a determination
on the part OF the Board of Trade to
either have the wharf built or e.
know why the project IS not feasible.
The Boards Of Trades and the
MAYORS OF all the principal cities on ol
near the river in New Jersey are hop
\ ing that the wharf win be built anc
Il the ferry service established, realizing
the great benefit that win come t.
their business interests by the service
| Wilmington business interests are alsC
clamoring for the development of the
river front and not a few of the lead
ing manufacturing concerns have eN-
pressed themselves to the board on
the subject in writing. These letters
will be made public later