Evening journal., 1920-07-16
HARBOR BOARD
REVIEWS WORK
Conilnued dom FIrsl Page


to Council.
The report is divided into three
sections-general, marine terminal
project and front street wharf The
financial report contains list OF
vouchers authorized for payment
during the year; a statement Of re-
ceipts for rent; distribution Of the
amounts expended from the city |
$4,000 appropriation for current ex-
penses, and a distribution OF the !
amount expended on the Lobdeu tract |
which includes the purchase OF the !
properly. The following are The |
summarized contents of the report. |
The report cites that map mas
been prepared on which are indicated |
various owners OF property, fronting
on the rivers new and efficient ac- |
count system installed; data has been |
collected as to those who might be
interested In the use OF the Front
street wharf. and letters have been
written to them TO enlist their sup
port; all manner OF information rel
ative TO harbOr developments and
operation are prepared for reference
Front street wharf Is already in use
by an excursion steamer, although II
is not entirely finished.
Owing to the great increase OF ship
ping facilities in America and the ado
quate advantages existing In Wilmng-
ton the Board was created in 1917 by
an act OF the State Legislature for
ing the past year the board has main
| ly concerned itself with forming a
plan for the conversion OF the mouth
OF the Christlana as an effaient meth
cd OF handling cargoes.
Calvin Tomkins, former dock COM
missioner Of New York City; B, F.
CressOn, Jr.. former Deputy Commits
sioner Of Docks OF New York City.
and Frederick W. Hersey who for the
past twenty years has worked assid
uously for betterment of port faoll-
tiles, were secured as members on the
technical advisory committee.
On March IS Of this year, title was
taken in the name OF the city to the
Lobdell tract, at the mouth Of the
Christiana, 10 serve as site for marine
terminals.
A survey 10 determine the bound
aries and area Of the land has been
completed, showing The area 10 be
i00 &C acres. The elevation Of the land
varies from 10 25 feet above mean
low water. For the most part, it is
ilat plain OF about an elevation Of
ten feet and extends TO the banks OF
the river.
After public hearings on February
IS and March 3, the harbor lines were
approved by the chief engineers as
recommended by the board.
These new harbOr lines provide for
turning basin 1000 feet In width at
the mouth Of the Christiana. The
project depth Of the present channel
In 2i feet and its width 250 feet. IL
was necessary therefore that author
ity be secured from the Government
TO provide for the changes involved
! development. The support Of the
| Chamber Of Commerce was obtained
and through its efforts an item was
! included in the Rivers and HarbOrs
| Bill for this year providing for a pre-
| llminary examination and survey Of
| Wilmington harbor. The passage OF
| this bill by Congress has authorized
the u. S. district engineer to per-
/ form this work and the board has
been assured that the survey will
soon be under way.
In January, the board, after
conference with the Street and Sewer
! Commissioners, requested the State
Highway Department to consider the
construction OF adequate streets TO
the river front. This work is now
under way,
Test tiles have been driven and test
loadlngs have been made. The board
has proceeded methodically in the
formulative stage in laying a founda-
tion for the development.
A contract was awarded on Septem-
Der rs to the Arundel Corporation for
the construction OF the bulkhead and
shelter beds. The amount OF contract
is $4,000. Dredging was completed
December i2. a total OF 250Ss cubic
yards having been removed.
The Banning-Mancill Company was
awarded the contract for the placing
Of the earth nh and the installation
Of the drainage system on February
6. 1920.
TO provide for a plaza in the rear
OF the bulkhoad. the city purchased
this land from the Pennsylvania rail-
road. IL is 1858 square feet. The
purchase price was the value Of the
appraiser, 375a cents per square foot
The actual transfer has not been
completed
Front street wharf provides a mar
ket place where food may be brought
from the producer and placed In the
hands OF the consumer It's Held Is
still broader: any ship that comes up
the river can dock at the wharf. A
railroad connection is provided and
there is no reason why the wharf
should not serve as a transfer point
, for all sorts OF cargo. As a sailing
J point for excursions, many Of the
/ citizens will be directly benefited by
IL, the report says.
Total vouchers drawn are showf
TO be S3i2. .S03 i3-siS27 81 for curren
expenses. and S307, 1929 for harbo
Improvement.
Extra expenses for Front Stree
Wharf are ST2t 70.
A statement from g. II. Sheppard
auditor, contained in the repOr
= states That the books OF the Boar
OF HarbOr Commissioners. after eX
animation. were found correct.
In concluding, Mr. Can't mention
+ the cooperation OF the various cit
= departments, the Chamber OF Com
n mence, the United States Eneinee
. ONCE, the Slate Highway Department
the Press Of the oitv and man
S other organizations and individuals.
S LECTURE COURSE ON UPLIFT.
Civic organizations OF this city ar
planning 20 hold course Of lecture
for Interested people on social w0rI
e In tho fall. The series viii cover tel
J. weeks one lecture and one study hOu
= a.. h. f,rI,aIaR in aach skraolie prn