Brownsville herald. [volume] (Brownsville, Tex.) 1910-current, 1928-05-17
The Harbor Appropriation

Some apprehension was expressed by a few Valley
residents when the report wss received from Washing
ton on May 5 that the board of U. $. army engineers
had decided to reduce the appropriation for construction
Of the Point Isabel harbor from 100000, recommended
by the district engineer. to %sl.0oO,OOo. but at the same
time increased the recommendation for maintenance
from 100000 annually TO %S150,O00. indefinitely.
The detailed report and recommendations Of the
board u army engineers. received Tuesday, indicate that
the board is confident the appropriation recommended,
with 5000 600 to be contributed BY Valley interests, VIII
be ample TO construct the project.
The district engineer recommended that the jetties
be extended to the 20-foot depth, which would entail the
construction Of 4,lOo feet Of jetty in addition to the
3.lO0 feet already constructed. Tie district engineer
also recommended that the entrance channel be dredged
"a a width Of 400 feet. The board of engineers held the
view that a 300-foot outer channel would be ample, and
that the construction Of $500 70 5000 feet Of Jetty'
probably to the IS or 16-foot depth would be sufficient
10 protect the channel against filling by the shifting
sands. In order a. assure that the 1s-foot depth Of
channel will be maintained. they added Sl5o0Oo annual
" for maintenance. this additional appropriation being
the form Of insurance that in the event their theory IN
regard to the ietty proves unsound there will be ample
funds 70 maintain the channel. As the government en-
rineers estimate appropriations foE such projects upon
I cent basis. the board is merely what might be
termed placing in escrow the additional 100000 TO
defrav the cost Of maintenance instead Of using that
amount III the construction of jetties. In the event the
additional jetties prove sufficient TO prevent the SHIFT
fur az sand into the Channel III tneItnS AiHiiHat tS
dredging for which the board has made provision the
Government can save that amount in the construction
cost.
Jstties have always been more or less a puzzle 70
marine and harbor engineers. II is virtually impossible
TO forecast their effect upon currents under various
wind and weather conditions. In the construction u
numerous harbors the fact has been ascertained that
iettes extending to a depth Of 10 or II feet are ample
~ protect A channel Of far greater depth and practically
eliminate maintenance dredging. IN other harbors i
bas been found necessary "a construct the ietties 70
cbanneI depth or to expend the equivalent in msinte-
nance. The most experienced engineer cannot predict
with any degree Of accuracy the effect Of wind and cur
rsr, and this can only be ascertained over a period Of
years.
One Of the most significant features Of the report is
the fact that the board takes cognizance Of the rapid de-
yelopmsnt Of the Valley and the potential tonnage Of
ro-,bsrn Mexico. which eventually will pass through the
valleys port. The board signifies it is confident the
time will come when a greater depth Of channel viii be
r.c..s.rv "a handle the commerce Of this section.
aTbe further development Of the territory, the move
=, ~ water of its commerce. and the improvement Of
The harbor must 60 hand in hand" General Herbert
Dsakvne. assistant chief Of engineers. says IN his re-
80, "Yhe board does not believe that deeper channels
than those provided for by the existing project can be
ius,ified AT this time. Completion Of the existing pro-
;ect denshs. and a trial Of the project for a period OF
r..rs should be assured now. leaving the question Of
continuing or modifying the Improvement to Re deter
-tr.a hv the development of commerce"
Another significant fact brought out by General
n.,kvre is that the Valley interests must give the port
EN- co-operation il additional depth Is TO be secured
Commenting on this phase. he says: The provision Oh
.h.,roIs alone will not build up the port. Local inter
go must direct their efforts toward securing service.
p.orer terminal facilities must be provided and the sd-
;urcts 81 4 coastwise port built up"