Every evening, Wilmington daily commercial., 1920-12-13
WHAT THE HARBOR
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head line with the southerly bulkhead
Inc on the Chrfstlana river recently e.
tahIi.hed nv the L. :. War Department,
diminishing 70 450 feet at the raliroad
bridge. the proposed area Of dredging
10 comprise the entire width between
hsrbor lines oa the ChrlStlans River
within the limits mentioned; Also It Is
suggested that between the Delaware
river bulkhead and the westerly edge OF
the 35-foot ship channel the Chrlstiana
channel approach To be flared out to
maximum width of 1900 feet 70 afford
easier and safer lngrCSS and egreSs tor vcs'-
sells In addition 70 these works, u Is
understood that It IL already the intention
of the War Department, through the
Philadelphia L : Engineer Office, 10 con
strlct a similar bulkhead or retaining struc-
tlre. along the north side Of the ChrlstlailA
entrance coincIdent with the hsrbor line
on this section 10 connect with an ap-
proved extension Of the present Edge
Moor bulkhcad
NECESSITY CONSIDERED APPARENT.
e II : our belief that the widths Of
channel proposed viii be wholly Iustlhabie
and necessary within 8 few years e accoIn-
modate vessels plying to and from the
new wharves on the Chrlstlana proposed
70 be erected BY the municipality, that
the channel depth suggested Is quite
essential from the inception OF the project
10 accommodate the type OF vessels ll-
tended II he served ny the new port works.
and that the bulkhe8d structures ar
necessary in connection with the training
and maintenance OF the proposed Wldeled
and deepened channel
a In the earlier stages oi the pro-
posed dredging work. Il Is suggested that
with q view 70 ecOn0mIzlng expenditures,
3 channel Of more contracted dimensions
than the finally intended widths be eX-
cavuted. except IN that section q tAt
river opposite the initial portion oi the port
dev4Ionrnent where il is deemed advls-
able 10 dredge II to the full width between
the bulkhead lines, which at tins point
averages $50 feet This width affords only
reasonable navigating space for turning
vessels. and II is thought should not be
Indulv restricted even temporarily he
upper portion OF the entrance chanHel
from the end Of the initial wharf develop
nent 70 the railroad bridge Is not r IN
nended al the moment TO be made part
Of the INITIAL dregdmg program, although
il Is anticipated that industrial develop
nents in this section will soon make the
full improvement necessary
"5 IL addition to the dredging, TINS
plan Of procedure involves the removal.
relocation and reconstruction ut the pres
ent south jetty st the mouth oi the hrlstl
ana nyer, and the removal Of ~ muct
Of the north ietty as IN your opimon viii
be advisable 10 prevent undesirable en-.
gorgeTnent Of the river az tins point
'f So far IS the balance Of the Christi
ana rlver channel upstream from the
mouth Of the Brandywme river Is con
cerned. i j. believed that Tor the tune
being the present project depth Is sats
factory. If maintained, and 10 expansion
Of the Improvement program for tins por-
ton of the stream IS now urged by tins
board The river has somewhat limited
watershed and IS manly tidal estuary
II rises IN the county 81 Newt CastIe State q
Delaware. flows IN nOrtheasberly direc
ton. passing through the city ot Vii
mington and empt yIng INTO the Dela"ane
river
Reasons are advanced why TINS assist
ance is advisable