Los Angeles herald. [microfilm reel] (Los Angeles [Calif.]) 1900-1911, 1909-03-02
GREAT HARBOR
WITHIN REACH
CAPTAIN FRIES SHOWS GREAT
PORT is POSSIBLE
Consolidation, Fertilization and Build
ing Magnificent Waterway at
San Pedro About to Be
Realized

Capt. Amos A. Fries reviewed the
situation at San Pedro harbor, its for
tifications and the possibilities ef con-
solidation, before the monthly meeting
of the Southern California Academy OF
Sciences at Blanchard hall last night.
Capt. Fries presented forcibly the rea-
sons for energetic action making for
an adequate public harbor, reviewing
the essentials which are necessary TO
establish a great harbor and showing
the ease with which these may be at
tanned at San Pedro, providing they are
sought in the right way
According to the estimate made by
Capt. Fries the present work under way
in dredging the turning basin and main
channel can be finished this year, the
work on the breakwater within nine
months and that on the forTlncatlohs
planned within two years. :,
1.-THE essentials for great harbor,
he said. "are a. safe anchorage, which
is afforded by the breakwater, and TINS
may be extended four miles to ofter
anchorage large enough to accommo-
date unlimited commerce.; second, quiet
water with facilities for wharves and
docks, which is amply permitted by
the inner harbor at Wilmington ana
Long Beach, and of last but perhaps
greatest importance in the making or
a great harbor is commerce. Los An
geles can provide this If the facilitles
for taking care of it are offered.
"If the tidelands suits now In the
courts are won by the city and the
consolidation measure before the leg
islature is passed there should be no
reason why Los Angeles, San Pedro.
Wilmington and Long Beach should
not work for the building up of a great
harbor. 1t should be the first great
commercial harbor north of the Pan
anna canal.
Factories VIII Come
"And with a harbor with large COM
merce will come manufacturing, 1or
the raw material may be brought mere
| cheaply. Los Angeles ought naturally
to be one of the great manufacturing
| centers of the country, for cheap Iuei
is at hand and great tributary coun-
try is within reach. All the country
! east and south of Ogden is nearer San
Pedro than San Francisco.
"The harbor at San Pedro will be
an artificial one; this is sometimes said
! disparagingly, but it should not be
so referred to, for it is on that account
| likely to be a harbor constructed IN
! the best possible manner. IL VIII pe
one of the cheapest to maintain tnat
can be found anywhere in the world,
|
is brought down by rivers to fill the
channel and there will be no wave
action to build up bank which VIII
obstruct the entrance. In this 1t Is
sunerior to San Francisco's harbor.'
Can't. Fries described the fortitica-
tions planned, which, he said, We're not
to defend Los Angeles. but to protect
fine harbor. He showed that in time of
war the harbor is valuable as base
for loading or unloading ships, as
refuge for safety or repairs and as
we'll as valuable base for the enemy
to hold. The defense at the fortlnca :
tions will be comparatively simple,
consisting of mortars and twelve or
fourteen inch disappearing guns. the
latter having an extremely effective
range up to seven miles, and of tor
pedoes planted in positions between
San Pedro and Deadman's island.
In taking up the last section OF MS
subject consolidation, Capt. Fries re-
ferred in detail to the reasons why
San Pedro needs the credit and pres
tige which Los Angeles can give, and
mentioned in detail the reasons why
consolidation will prove a benefit not
onIy to the cities concerned, but as
well to the outlying territory of South
ern California.