Macon beacon. [volume] (Macon, Miss.) 1859-1995, 1907-10-05

areas not only furnish anchorage for
vessels, but make the undertaking OF
dredging sufficient depth for all yes.
sells 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 Bos Isl
ands the lead line showed nineteen to
twenty-five feet, but Immediately the
edge OF the bar was reached the throw
dropped to thirty feet and then "no bot.
TOM" This advantage is possessed by
few places aspiring to importance as
ports and is of incalculablc Importance.
The Pascagoula river for several miles
above the mouth has depth of from
twenty-five to fifty feet, with a few
exceptions where tributaries have crossed
the current and deposited bars, which
necesstate dredging, The banks are
almost vertical in 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 a 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.
mensc numbering plants of that vicinity
for log storage, they would all be avail
able for harbor room and wharfage
facilities. The whole of this immense
river front is 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. 4 n, but others are being con.
structed, and in short time promise is
made that sevral lines will converge
from there. The Denny log road has
been built to the northeast to within
few miles of connection with the Mo.
bile, Jackson & Kansas City. This road
is used at present for logging purposes
only, but the excellent construction os
the line, the splendid steel bridge across
Dog river the standard rails laid and
other indications point that it is being
built for n thorough commerce carrying
line, and win shortly connect with some
of the large systems of the country The
Mississippi Central, a part of the great
Gould system, is building to Pascogoua
and promises to reach there in few
months, 1t is in operation from Hat,
tiesburg to Brookhaven, will soon have
trains running into Natchez and a por.
tion of the line to Pascagoula has al,
ready been built. 1t is conceded that
as soon as the Natchez extension is in
operation the work of building to Pascn.
goula will be pushed to completion The
Frisco system also has surveys and plans
for reaching the port, and if it really
owns the NJ, j. q X. c., as reported
will undoubtedly build the short line
necessary for connection. With the
advent of one or more of these powerful |
systems, which seems to be reasonably |
certain, it is evident that the next few
months will witness an industrial and |
commercial activity at Pascagoula rare
y 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 |
radius of three miles of Scranton, and |
connected by an electric passenger and |
freight line. A proposition to consoIi,
date under the common name of Pasca.
goua was defeated some time since by I
popular vote, but it is believed that in n
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
Pascagoula Commercial Club, with its
active and alert officers and truly loyal |
and enthusiastic members. This organi.
cation has worked without ceasing, in
season and out, for the consummation
of dream that now bids fair of .reali.
zation and to it is largely due the sue
cess attained. In its ranks can be found
the leading citizens of all four munich
palities, 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 president to the humblest mem
ber, who cheerfuly contributed he half
dollar each month as his mite to further
the cause.
It 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 thu compass by the building jf
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-
suits of the small amount expended by
the government on this harbor together
with the immpse volume of business
handled under present conditions.
II. L. BLAKESLEE,
Commissioner Agriculture and Com.
merce.
Paine, who wrote '"IIome, Sweet
Home,' is said to have never been mar
ried. We believe lie was and when he
wrote "Home, Sweet Home" thought