The Palatka news and advertiser. [volume] (Palatka, Fla.) 1908-19??, 1911-12-29
ENGINEERS DONOT
FAVOR SHIP CANAL
REPORT is NOW BEFORE HIGHER
BOARD FOR REvlEw-sPE.
cIFlc ROUTE SUGGESTED.
TO HEAR FuRTEUR ARGUMENT
Public Hearing May Be Arranged If
so Observation-Disclosures Advanced
for Opposition.


A. Jacksonville. Unless, some strong
er pressure is brought to bear in the
OF engineers for rivers and harbors
it is not likely that the proposed
ship canal across the state of Florida
VIII be constructed, at least, by the
United States government
This project is provided for under
an act of congress, dated March 3,
1909, which contains the following
| item:
Survey for the construction of a
continuous inland waterway across
the state of Florida, between suitable
points on the eastern and gulf coasts
of said state, for the purpose of as
pertaining the cost of a channel with
maximum depth of twelve feet, or
such lesser depths along any section
or sections of said waterway as may
be found sufficient for commercial
naval and military purposes"
The report of the special board of
engineers on the investigation men,
tened is now before the board of en-
gineers for rivers and harbors for re-
view. 1t is found that the most avail.
able route is by way of st. Johns
river, Oklawaha river, Lakes Griffin
and Harris and Willacoochee river
The depth proposed is ten feet below
lowest low water, and the estimated
cost is approximately $16,50O, 900.
The recommendations of the special
board are adverse to the construction
of this canal by the United States at
the present time.
The following are some of the prin-
cipal reasons on which the unfavor-
able conclusion is based:
The distance saved between gulf
ports and North Atlantic ports varies
from 10 to 424 miles. 1t is not be.
lieved by the special board that to
save these distances the trade be-
tween ports on the gulf and those on
the North Atlantic would be handled |
by light draft canal steamers or
barges across the gulf and through |
the canal in preference to the faster
and more commodous ocean-going |
steamers. The special board IN of |
opinion that a canal such as is pro-
posed would have no great value as a
through route between gulf and At I
Iantic ports; that its value from a
strategic point of view is small; that
from purely local standpoint the
canal would be of considerable value
rs feeder to the ports of Jackson
Vile, Fernandina and Savannah, and
would also have considerable value in
leveopIng the country through which
t lis designed to pass. It will also
De convenient route for pleasure
raft, dredging plants, tugs, empty
,arges and occasional light drift craft
If all kinds between the gulf and the
Atlantic. These latter uses are, how
,Ver, in the opinion of the special
'oard, entirely insufficient to justify
he large expenditure required for the
of the canal and it's
and, therefore, the spe-
ial board is unanimously of the opin-
on that the project is one not wor-
by of prosecution by the United
tates.
Before taking final action on this
eport the board of engineers for riv-
rs and harbors announces that it
ill receive such statements and ar
as those interested may de-
ire to submit in support of or in {
pposition to the construction of the
roposed waterway. Such statements
hould be in the hands of the board {
-ithin four weeks and should be ad-
ressed to the Board of Engineers for
ivers and Harbors, 735 Southern S
Washington. D. c. Should Z
hearing before the board be desir- |
i, it can be arranged by correspond
nee with that office. q