The Wrangell sentinel., 1925-03-05
Congress Passes
 Harbor Bill; to
 Drease NarrOWS

The Rivers and Harbors bill con- tainlns all appropriation for the ex- penditure of s5OO,0o0 for the dredg- Ing or Nrangen Narrows, has been passed by Congress and signed by rresident Coolidge, according to ,aOIegram received by the publish CT oi lue Sentinel on Tuesday from De.ega,e Dan Sutherland.
 As early as 1903. Major John Mills, Corps of Engineers, Seattle District. recommended this work at a cost of s1,600,000. His report was approved by the War Depart ment but was never adopted by Congress.
 The River and Harbor Act of June 5. 1920, directed a resurvey with a view of deepening the chan nel to aecomodate present and fu- lure commerce and the dstermina- tion of the relative advantages and practicability of the improvement of Wrangell Narrows as compared with the improvement proposed for Dry Straits. This examination and survey was made by Colonel Steese and Major Gotwals. Their report is printed in House Document No. 179, 9th Congress, 2nd Session.
 There are fourteen reefs or shoals in the 21 mile channel between Sumner Strait and Frederick Sound. Colonel Steese recommends the ul- innate provision of a channel with a minimum depth of 21 feet at mean lower low water and 200 feet wide oh the bottom at an estimated cost of s2,O00,000. Additional widths to afford suitable easements on curves are to be provided. Shoal No. ? at Turn Point opposite Petersburg is to be deepened to 27 feet, and the reversed curve is to De eliminated.
 The immediate project which has l lnn onth first four stages of the work at an estimated cost of S500,000, upon the completion of which a supple mental report is to be submitted. This will result in the removal of the worst five of the reefs which will afford over half of the relief expected from the completed prof ect.
 The cutting of a channel through shoals numbers and at the Petersburg end will make accessible the excellent harbor and anchor age grounds between Turn Point and Green Point. The elimination of the other three shoals will re- duce the obstructed passage at ex- treme low water to less than six miles instead of 21 as at present. AS the mean tidal range is If feet. only the largest ships will then be delayed and they only for short time; meanwhile having a safe an chorage within the Narrows.
 The first seasons work will in- clude removal of Shoals Nos. and ? at the Petersburg end. and the removal of Shoal No. If at the south end, at an estimated cost of s175,000. Plans for this work will be worked out as soon as appro- priate instructions are received from Washington. together with . copy of the exact terms of the Act as approved by the Presiddent.
 "The Wrangell Narrows project was not included in the Rivers and Harbors bill as 1t passed the House of Representatives" said Colonel Steese who was in Wransell this week, "It was inserted in the Sen ate just before I left Washington by Senator Wesley L. Jones. of Washington. Senate whip and chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, who had the bill in charge. Senator Jones has led the fight for increased Road and Riv- CT and Harbor funds for Alaska, ably assisted by Delegate suther- land. Several special committee mOetinRs were hald at thA lattar'a