The citizen. (Honesdale, Pa.) 1908-1914, 1912-05-24
PORT development
Wharves Large Enough to ACcommo-
date Four of Largest Steamers
at One Time.
Philadelphia, May %.

Philadelphia, May %.
Plans for the immediate develop
ment, along comprehensive lines, of
two miles or more of what is now
unimproved Delaware river front,
directly south of the present limited
area of the ports commercial activi-
ties, have been placed before Coun-
ellis, were indorsed by the surveys
committee, and will e probably be
adopted at this weeks session.
The ordinance, stamped with the
approval of Mayor Blankenburg and
Director Norris, of the Department of
Wharves and Docks, and following in
detail the recommendations of the
engineers who have anticipated and
provided for all the physical prob
lens involved, WILL by shifting the
bulkhead line approximately 1900
feet inland, make possible the early
construction of larger and better
equipped piers than any now exist
ing in the Port of Philadelphia.
Four-Ship Piers.
Wharves such as are contemplated
in this, the first chapter of the ad-
ministration program of progressive
port development, will accommodate
at one time four vessels of the larg-
est type now visiting Philadelphia,
and six of the tramp" or usual
cargo-carrying ships. All can be in
full operation of loading or unload
ing at the same time without in any
way interfering with each other.
Delaware avenue, Philadelphia's
commercial thoroughfare along the
q q frsn
southwark as Christian street, where
its continued course Is obstructed by
big manufacturing plants such as
the Spreckles and the McCahan su-
gar refineries. The present plan
provides for the opening up of a
river front avenue to the southern
most part of the city.
But in the continuation from
Christian street, instead of project
ing the new street parallel with the
present shore line, it is extended
around the large industrial plants.
in that direction for a
distance of about one mile, where it
joins Commercial avenue. which
makes a diagonal connection with
what is virtually a projection of the
original shore-line thoroughfare.
1900 Feet Docking Space.
However, a curve in the river just
below Christian street swings the
actual line of shore some 1900 feet
riverward from the projected street,
and 1t is Director Norris plan to
build piers from the present pier
head line back to the new CONNER
cial avenue, instead of from the
present struggling shore line out in
to the water the short distance be-
tween the present bulkhead and pier
head lines.
Tremendous as the improvement
will be in paving the way for great
extension of the present port facili-
ties at Philadelphia, it is estimated
that the work of opening up these
new thoroughfares to a width of $50
and 200 feet for the entire two
miles, and the acquiring of necessary
land therefor, can be done for not
more than $1,OOO,OOO.
The aggressive attitude taken by
Director Norris and Mayor Blanken-
burg has created a spirit of willing
cooperation on the part of Coun-
ellis, and it is expected that the
measure will be adopted with little
or no opposition. Work will be
started Immediately as the first prep
aration for the larger task OF re-
claiming the land between river line
and the new avenue, where the big
piers are to be built.
Another New Line.
Foreign steamship lines have been
quick to realize the advantages that
are to be offered by the port expan-
sion projects now under way, and
within a week another company has
signitied its intention to send some
OF its vessels in regular sailihgs to
the Port of Philadelphia. 1t is the
Lloyd ltaliano line, now operating
ships between New York and Italian
ports
Replying to Mayor Blankenburg
letter, which was sent to fifty-five
foreign steamship lines, the LLOYD
Italiano managers wrote:
We are in receipt of your es-
teemed favor of the 18th ult., in
which your eXcellency had the kind
ness to furnish us some information
showing the advantages offered by
the Port of Philadelphia to vessels
landing there and to the passengers
and baggage of those transported
and destined for the great west, the
southeast and the southern portions
OF the United States of America
We take pleasure in advising you,
well knowing the Importance of that
port and the advantages of that of
for, that our company has arranged
to make changes in part OF our sail
lngs to North America. AS a result,
some of our ships, in addition to
landing at New York, will also land
at Philadelphia, as your excellency
Will be able TO see from the inpInS-
ed copy of our schedule. This
change will go into effect in Au-
gust"
Pennsylvania Port for Pennsylvania
Trade.
Following almost Immediately up
on a response from G. NJ. Bryde, of
Ihristiana, Norway says that the
Norway-American Gulf Line desires
10 establish trade between Philadel-
phia and Scandinavian ports, there
IS every reason to believe that the
aggressive campaign now being car