Evening journal., 1923-02-01
U.S.BEGINS WORK
ON new CANALS.
Milford, Wilmington and
Philadelphia 10 Benefit
by Waterways
PLAN LINE TO PLY
BETWEEN 3 CENTERS

Special 70 The Evening Journal.
MILFORD. Feb. After months
Of delay and red tape" the Fed
eral Government; has at last started
work on digging the six canals in
the Mispillion river. which will
greatly shorten the stream. and
make possible the establishment OF
a freight and passenger steamship
line between this town. Wilmington
and Philadelphia. The first dredge
arrived on Monday and work OF ex-
cava,ing comm enced this week Sew
ersl other dredging machines and
blower are on the way up the
creek. The government gave the
work out by contract. and it was
awarded 10 the Delaware Dredging
Company, Of Philadelphia and will
minE;on.
The Mispillion river. at the source
OF which Milford is situated Il Is
miles in length. and empties into
the Delaware bay AZ Mispillion light,
near Fort Salisbury.
II Is only seven miles in direct
route from Milford to the mouth
OF the stream. the river consuming
the ] 6 miles with a very circultous
route. which abounds with many
curves and sharp turns II is i'm
possible now for a steamer from
Milford TO reach the channel In the
Delawars bay with one tide. and ?
often two is not sufficient Much
time is lost In this manner, making
81 impossible FOR steamer TO carry
perishabie goods TO the city mar
kets, but with the six canals cut in
the stream q steamboat viii he able
70 leave Milford and make Whining
ton and Philadelphia in six and
eight hours, respectively
The route OF the canals as sur
veyed will cut on the long bends
and sharp curves in the stream. al
lowing boat more freedom in
travel, besides shortening the dis
tance TO the bay by Ave miles
The first canal will start near NIL .
ford az Pierces Factory wharf. and ,
extend to the High Hnl. a dis
tance OF about 400 yards. This will :
cut or one mile OF water. The sec ,
ond from the lower end OF Mush :
Pot to Reeds Landing. cutting 8
through the marsh on the Bowen !
and Charles Watson farms. dis
tsnce OF about ons-haif mile. This .
VIII take the place OF one mile and I
a half OF bad curves and narrow.
shallow stream.
The third is from the lower end ,
of Potter's High HIN 70 Nav Shoals.
Tbs fourth, from May Shoals 10 the
Willows. The NTH from Potter's
Landing TO the Gravel The sixth
canal will he cut from Upper Mile
10 Sisters Reach.
The completion OF these canals
will not only effect Milford but all e
he southeastern section OF Della e
ware. as IT VIII make possible the {
ihipping OF truck and produce from d
he lower section OF the State to D
Wilmington and Philadelphia by +,
vater. p
These canals are especially val p
able since the completion OF the Ia
ew concrete roads in thl. section. a,
'roducers will then be able TO haul o,
rusts and vegetables a considerable
distance to Milford and ship by -
water to the city markets and have oI
ssurence that the perishable cargo ri
viii arrive IN good condition. and sa
u the same time secure a cheap u,
reight rate.
Several companies interested in ci
'tea mhoats have already sirnihed n
their Intentions OF establishing $
Inc between this town. Wilmington a
and Philadelphia. as soon az the n
annals are completed. In fact p
company has already been formed.
composed OF ex-Sheriff Thos. Kirby. =
L. y. Hearn and others. and
iisamer has been purchased which
HAl make a suitable boat for this
line
The work OF cutting the canals
Nill be rushed and it is anticipated Al
mat the work viii be completed
his year probably this summer. n
According to agreement with n
hose across whose farms the cuts st
VII be made, dirt excavated from J
he river win be blown on a level u
'ver the marshlands making much n
Z the waste land tillable and in a