Richmond times-dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1914-current, 1920-04-04

HE !" PoRI NEWS. VA, April 3
Sportsmen. fishermen and lovers OF
outdoor lie: Attention, take warn
ing.
Unless something drastic is done
snortlF TO stop the pumping OF crude
oil from the steamers into Hampton
Roads. James and Elizabeth Rivers.
and Chesapeake Bay. there soon viii
be no waterfowl for the gunner. game
fish for the spo-tivc fisherman. nor
seafood of other kinds. for the pub-
lie in general. a broad statement.
but nevertheless true.
Fully SO per cent OF the steamers
entering the Virginia capes today
arc oil burning vessels. Many OF
them arc oil tank steamers. and come
here for ovcrhauling and repairs;
others TO take on or await cargocs.
OF all description. During this time
they steam and clean out their cargo
oil tanks. or fuel oil tanks. as the
case may be, and discharge this
crude oil and sediment overheard.
Notwithstanding there Is a law pro-
hihiting same.
Thi" cfrty black mucky oil floats
on top Of the water being carried
here and there by the wind. waves
and tides, and 10 everything IL
touches it sticks, nor can you wash
~ oh- ouI batulHE an q al
the drift wood and sen weed east up
by tho tides. are covered with this
crude oil. while the row boats.
launches. and other pleasure craft
have their sides smeared with it.
and sand bath on the beautiful
beaches OF Chesapeake Bay is now a
thing of the past on account of this
oil.
OIL Kills Fowl.
The ducks End other sea birds that
get their food from the water. are
killed by eating food contaminated
By crude oil. have picked up dead.
along the shores Of James River.
several varieties OF ducks and sea
gulls. ali of which had their breas
feathers covered with crude oil. also
killed during last winter. sea coots
and other ducks in Characteristic and
Broadwater Bays, outside OF the
Capcs, which had crude oil OH their
breasts. So this should give one a
good idea as 10 the extent of this
menace.
There Is no doubt that this crude
oil settling on all fats at low tide
where oysters spawn. grow and are
planted. will kill them and render
nearby beds in deeper water UNIT for
food
Millions of Fish Killed.
Fish also coming into shallow water
are Elled by millions, and ii was 4
common sight last summer to see
the surface of the channel of James
River from the Middle Ground Light
House 10 Brown Shoals literally COW
cred with dead fish. Crabs arc be-
ing killed already In great numbers
and as the season advances and they
come into shallow water to shed
those that survive this awful slaugh-
ter will taste Of oil and be unfit fo-
food Last summer | brought these
conditions To the notice Of the State
Fish and Game Department. and this
winter ! spoke on this subject be-
fore the joint meeting in Richmond
Of the State Game Protection Asso-
citation and game wardcns.
Az Yet can see no abatement of
this deadly menace. VIII the people
OF this State. as we'll as Maryland
sit .d!e and see their wild fowl. crab.
oyster and fish industries annihilated
ny this illegal practice OF crude oil
GunpaCc into her State waters? II
is up to the people If they would
save them-and action must be quick.
Automobile associations should be
glad 10 get this crude oil for binder
on sand and clay roads.