The Brandon news. (Brandon, Miss.) 1892-1961, 1907-10-03

chSOuld, lies I'VE mllcS lIOm Inu
north Of the water necessary for
large vessels extends several miles
above it. Taken as whole, the capacity
| Of this port after the expenditure
! Of a reasonable sum for improve.
! ments, would be almost beyond tho
conception Of man. A gentleman
high in authority, whose name the
/ writer is not privileged to use at
this time, said on visit to Pascagou
la some time since, that the money
expended upon a port in another
State, something like million and
half dollars, would have given Pas
cagoula a uniform depth Of thirty
six feet and dockage capacity OF
many times that Of the one in COM
/ parison.
! The nature Of the bottom to be
dredged is an unanswerable argu-
ment in favor Of Pascagoula improve
ment in favor of Pascagoula impro-
vement. Permanently is the primary
item for consideration by the govern
ment when planning Improvement.
This is one Of the strongest points
in favor OF further work at Pascagou
la. What has already been done IS
has proven to be permanent. The hot
tom is not sand or silt as is frequent
ly encountered in harbor dredging,
but hard foundation that in places
| resembles shale. Although some
what difficult to take out it stays out
and does not drift back to be taken
time and again. The work done IN
past year is as good today as when
first executed. The bay is protected
from storms by both Horn and Boise
Islands with an extra wind-break in
Round Island, which lies between
Horn Island and the mouth Of the
river. An immense government dredge
is constantly at work deepening the
shallow places and Strengthening the
channel. Between the pass and mouth
of the river, a number Of acres with
great depth are to found and advan-
tage has ben taken Of these in con-
structing the channel. These areas
not only furnish anchorage for vessels
but make the undertaking Of dredging
a sufficient depth for all vessels one
Of much less magnitude.
Another point exceedingly favor
able to Pascagoula, is the close proxi-
nifty if "not bottom" or very deep
water to the mouth Of the harbor. In
going over the bar between Horn and
Petit Bots Islands, the lead line shows
10 to % feet, but immediately
the edge Of the bar was reached the
throw dropped to thirty feet and then
"no bottom" This advantage is
possessed by few places aspiring to
Importance as ports and is of incalcu-
liable Importance.
The port Of Pascagoula is COM
posed Of four municipalities at pres
ent with a population Of something
like $4,000 souls. All are situated
within a radius Of three miles Of
Scranton and connected by an cleo
trio passenger and freight line. A
proposition to consolidate under the
common name Of Pascagoula was de-
feated some time since by popular
vote, but it is believed that in q
short time the union will be con-
summated and Pascagoula vii take
the place deserved among the larger
cities Of Mississippi.
The most potent factor in this
splendid work Of development has
been the Pascagoula Commercial
club with its active and alert officers
and truly loyal and enthusiastic mem
bers. This organization has worked
without ceasing, in season and out,
! for the consummation Of dream
that now bids fair of realization and
to it is largely due the success at
tanned. In its ranks can be found
the leading citizens Of all four mu-
inequalities, striving for a common
cause, the making Of Pascagoula the
greatest deep water, fully protected
harbor on the gulf coast. There is
glory enough in the realization Of
this dream for all, from the presi-
dent to the humblest member who
cheerfully contributed his half-dol-
lar each month as his mite to fur
Their the cause.
It is certain that Mississippi will
have two or more great ports for the
handling Of maritime business, dis
tributing points for the great volume
OF commerce that will be DETECTED
to this point Of the compass by the
building Of the canal, and with them
large cities that will be the center Of
industrial and commercial activity.
III. E. BLAKESLEE,
Commissioner Agriculture and Com
merce.