Evening journal., 1919-05-27
lconlInued Ff6m FIrst page.l

tIoulluutu FROM Ilfst rage
1T was early evident and has since
been proven by the views Of all the en-
gineers who have gone over the plans
and the grounds, including General
Black, chief Of engineers OF the United
States, that Wilmington was very
fortunate in having as a part OF its
general river front territory the mouth
of the Christiana river which could be
readily developed into basin Of sub
stantial size. BY the development OF
this basin at a width Of 1900 10 1900
feet extending at this full width
towards the Delaware river, as addi-
tlonal piers might be added Whining
ton can economically construct and
maintain her seaport piers on a line
where the river channels and the fast
back land are naturally located close
together.
1T was evident early in the investi-
cations OF the HarbOr Board that any
attempt TO locate on the Delaware
river would involve the placing OF
bulkheads or piers one thousand or
more feet from fast land. at large in
crease In expense for piling. nlling and
general construction Of foundations for
heavy machinery buildings. bulkheads,
railroad tracks. etc IN addition 10 this
expense in construction Wilmington
would then face the initial dredging Of
a large tract Of Delaware river bottom
for another thousand feet beyond the
bulkheads. in order TO reach the thirty
one foot channel in the Delaware river.
This large tract Of river bottom would
have TO be permanently dredged in
order TO allow steamers OF the proper
draft to reach piers so located. and
hence would be a large item Of annual
expense for all time.
$50, from the practical point OF
view, ii is further evident that these
recent criticisms are quite yalueless
and misleading.
'1f after the complete engineering
studies. the Board OF Harbor Commits
sioners with the approval Of Council
should finally adopt the principle OF
constitution suggested by General |
Black and shown on the plan before |
us. you can then see that there is |
ample room on the LObdell tract TO /
duplicate this first stage development |
three or four times by extensions on /
the same new bulkhead limo towards /
the Delaware River. As these steps for /
future enlargement may be tawen, the |
mouth OF the Christiana River will [
gradually be developed and the old JET /
ties removed in order TO produce the |
basin as recommended by 2
General Black.
This general plan OF development |
differs only from the original Meigs 1
in that Mr.. Meigs pro-
posed a series OF piers and slips along \
the same Chrlstiana River frontage OF \
the Lobdell property. whereas General 1
Blacks suggestions as now approved
by Mr.. Meigs provide for a continuous
bulkhead along this same line.
1T is evident by referring 10 the
sketch before us that the ultimate de-
OF the straight bulkhead
plan on the Lobdell property will pro-
vide berihing space for from twelve
TO fifteen large freight steamers at one
time and the back-lands OF the Lob I
dell property will readily accommodate
the storehouses. rail facilities. etc,
to quickly unload and load
this number OF steamers.
sAs shown on the sketch before US
the ultimate length OF this bulkheSd
cAltUSluU Muhlh Ui UhtA t''N AN't Va
in other words. eventually give TO VIII
mingtOn continuous bulkhead front
about four-aflhs OF a mile long. with
a series Of warehouses and storage
yards most economically grouped inn
back OF this bulkhead.
az development even to this extent
Is looking a long long way into the
future Of Wilmington. BY location OF
seaport terminals within the mouth Of
he Christlana River the city Of VIII
nington will be able = largely count
Ipon the government for the channel
iredging in the Christiana River TO
connect directly with the thirty-one
DOT channel OF the Delaware River. In (
fleet. the revised plans OF the Harb0r
3oard. in line with the suggestions
made by General Black and approved
" John Meigs. produce the result Of
lsing the mouth OF the Christiana
iiver as a large slip with a direct {
hannel through the center OF "a. and {
he main bulkhe9d TO be erected along
ne Lobdell property frontage becomes {
he equivalent OF one side Of NAM
moth pier upon which storage houses.
an connections. etc. will be con-
tructed a. Wilmingtons needs in
resse. This big slip or basin plan is
n line with The most approved prac- a
ices in the estimation Of the Port and
Iarbor Facilities Commission Of (
shich General Black is chairman.
1T is FOR this reason that the Harbor Z