Oxford eagle., 1907-10-03

IN constructing the channel. These
areas not onIy furnish anchorage for
vessels. but make the Undertaking OF
dredging IA sufficient depth for all ve..
sels one OF much less magnitude.
Another point exceedingly favorable
to Pascagoula is the close proximity OF
no bottom" or very deep water TO the
mouth OF the harbor. In going over the
bar between Horn and Petit Bois Isl.
ands the lead line showed nineteen 10
twenty-five feet. but Immediately the
edge OF the har was reached the throw
dropped to thirty feet and then mo bot.
tom" This advantage is possessed by
lew places aspiring TO importance as
ports and is Of incalculable importance.
The Pascagoula river for several miles
above the mouth has q depth of from
twenty-five to fifty feet, with few
exceptions where tributaries have crossed
the current and deposited bars, which
necessitate dredging. The banks are
almost vertical in a majority Of in.
stances, allowing OF vessels drawing from
twenty to thirty feet to run alongside
without danger of grounding. Numerous
lakes abound in the vicinity of the river.
especially near Moss Point, covering
areas of from few acres up to hun.
dreds and having depths Of fifty feet or
more. All Of these lakes are connected
with the river by depth Of water al.
lowing vessels of ordinary draft to en-.
ter. With moderate amount of dredg-
ing this depth could be increased to any
figure desired. While at present they
are used by the fifteen or twenty i'm.
mense numbering plants of that vicinity
Tor log storage. they would all be avail.
able for harbor room and wharfage
facilities. The whole Of this immense
river front i protected from the bay
proper by three or four miles OF high
land and heavily timbered, absolutely
guaranteeing immunity from serious
damage by storms.
At present the port Of Pascagoula
only has one through line of railway,
the L. & ", but others are being con.
structed, and in short time promise !.
made that sevral lines will converge
from there. The Denny log road has
been built To- the northeast to within a
few miles OF connection with the Mo-
bile, Jackson Il Kansas City. This road
Is used at present for logging purposes
only. but the excellent construction o.
he line, the splendid steel bridge across
Dog river, the standard rails laid and
other Indications point that IL is being
bailt for thorough commerce carryin
line, and will shortly connect with some
of the large systems of the country. The
Mississippi Central, a part of the great
Could system, is building to Ps.cagoula
and promises to reach there in few
months. II is in operation from Hat
tiesburg to Brookhaven. will soon have
trains running into Natchez and por.
tion OF the line to Pascagoula has al.
ready been built. II is conceded that
as soon as the Natchez extension il in
operation the work of building TO Pasca-
goula will be pushed to completion. The
Frisco system also has surveys and plans
for reaching the port. and ii it really
owns the NJ. J. 4 X C., "a reported,
will undoubtedly build the short line
necessary for a connection. With the
advent OF one or more OF these powerful
systems, which seems TO be- reasonably
certain, il is evident that the next few
months will witness an industrial and
commercial activity ut Pascagoula rare
ly equaled anywhere.
The port of Pascagoula is composed
of four municipalities at present, with
a population OF something like twelve
thousand souls All are situated within
a radius of three miles OF Scranton, and
connected BY an electric passenger and
freight line. A proposition to consoli.
date under the common name of Pasca.
goula was defeated some time since by a
popular vote. but it is believed that in a
short time the union will be consum.
mated and Pascagoula will take the
place deserved among the larger cities
Of Mississippi.
The most potent factor in this splen.
did work Of development has been the
Psseagoula Commercial Club. with its
active and alert officers aud truly loyal
and enthusiastic members. This oFaani-
xation has worked without ceasing. in
season and out. for the cons umuat ion
of a dream that now bids fair of reali-
zation and to it is largely due the sue
cess attained. In its ranks can be foiind
the leading citizens of all four munich
palities. striving for 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 president &c the humblest mem.
Der, who cheerfuliy contributed hia half
dollar each month as his mite to further
the cause
II is certain that Mississippi will have
two or more great ports for the hand.
ling OF maritime business, distributing
points for the great volume OF com.
merce thai will be detected to this
point OF the compass by the building II
the canal, and with them large cities
that will be the center of industrial and
commercial activity.
In . later article the writer will at.
tempt to show by actual figures the re.
sults of the small amount es?ended by
the government on this hara-sr. together
with the immense volume OF bushes.