Evening journal., 1920-01-14
STATE RIVER
IMPROVEMENTS
Government Operations on
Murderkill, Mispillion and
Other Waterways
BAY IMPROVEMENTS
SPELL MORE TRADE

In his report 90 the chief OF engln-
GERS OF the United states, on the con-
ditlon and Improvement Of navlgable
streams IN Delaware, Col A. P. Jervey,
engineer FOR the Wilmington district
describes fully the Niurderkill, Mis-
pill'on and Broadkiln rivers and the
inland waterways between RehobO,h
BAY and Delaware Bay. and from Chin
colleague Bay Va. 10 Delaware Bay, at
or near Lewes, Del.
or the Nurderkil1- ne estimates that
1880 can De prontably spent in he
fiscal year ending June 30. 1921 eXclu-
slve Of available funds The govern
ment is providing for a channel feet
deep at mean low water from Delaware
Bay 10 Frederick, $50 feet wide across
The flats outside The month, q distance
Of about 1 mile, and so feet wide inside
the river 70 Frederica a distance ~
about i-2 miles.
The length Of the section included In
the project is about - miles and the
lower end is about 5000 feet outside
The mouth
OF this project about 70 per cent
portion is the widening Of the channel
across the flats and in the river. The
controlling depth at mean low water.
on June 30, 1919, was feet between
Delaware Bay and Freierlca. The
total expenditures were S3163l07 for
new work and S5S,706 for maintenance,
a total Of s96.33607.
The effect Of The improvement is
that vessel movements al all stages of
the tide have been made possible In
1876 the total short tons transported
through the Murderklll was 33i05,
with a total value Of s2.06S. 400. In
1917. 3250i tons were carried with a
value Of sl.S5S.40i. In 1918, 23,9ii tons
We're transported, with a value OF
81 .09i 2Ss Tie decrease In tonnage
and Increase IN value was principally
due TO small shipments Of agricultural
products and fertilizers and 10 increase
IN price or all articles
Prior 70 tie Improvement Of the
Aisspillion river, work on which was
begun IN 1879, ils channel was narrow
and tor,uous. Work The past year has
not been commenced, pending fulfill
ment Of conditions of local require
ment The controlling depth on June
so, 1919, across the flats outside the
mouth and IN ihe river was feet at
mean low water The ietties are IN
need OF immediate repairs As a re-
suit of the improvement already made
IN the river freight rates are repo0trd
10 have been reduced an average OF 2J
per cent. Colonel Jervey adds:
'As It does not appear that the new
work authorized by the river and har-
Dor ACT OF March ,. 1919 can be COM
rleted at a cost Of not greater than
50 per centum I'm excess OF the osti-
ma'N OF cost in The report upon the
project, This work will not be under
tafen The estimated cost OF COM
piet'ng ihe project under present con-
dltions is $4,000 IN addition to the
amouns already appropriated"
There has been a decrease IN both I
Tonnage and value Of from 32.075 tons. !
valued at Si.iJ3275. IN 1917, 10
~ 30 tons. worth Si27i5. In 1918. |
This decrease is described 10 scare |
ity of vessels. owing 10 the gov |
crnmont communicating the freight /
hoa's for war emergency needs and |
the shipments OF general merchandise /
being diverted 10 the railroads.
Total appropriations OF s295 .990O7 /
.laNc been made FOR The Misplllion pro- /
'iect Colonel Jcrvey estimates hat |
si,Si6O6 viii be required "a complete !
The existing project. Of which he asks !
for $1,000 which can be prontablyJ ]
expended during the fiscal year up 20 !
juno 30 1921. for maintenance
The Broadkiln river improvements /
call for the establishment OF a perma- |
nent entrance by dredging a ch7nnel !
through Lewes Cane 6 feet deen nj |
mean low water and $50 feet wide from |
that depth in Delaware Bay TO the !
same dep'h in Bro-dklln river, dis
iance Of about one-half mile. and the !
construction Of a ietty on the north 1
Side OF the entrance The length OF /
the section included In the project Is |
80 81 miles and the lower end Is about |
500 feet outside the mouth.
The mean range of tide Is 1 - feet. /
and The extreme range OF tida Is from |
foot below mean low water 10 . feet /
above mean high water. except IN very |
severe storms. The cstmate of ccsi !