, 1934-12-30
ISABEL PORT
NEARLY READY

FINISHING touches will o o be
given 10 the Port Isabel-San
a Benito port project
This project represents six years
OF hard work or the part Of people
of the Port Isabel-San Benito dis
trict, who formed their district
practically simultaneously with the
formation Of the Brownsville Navi-
CATION district.
Building Transit Shed
The district, whose commissioners
are II. Z. Downs OF San Benito,
chairman; Davis Wade OF San Ben
ito. and w. H. Pattee OF Port ISa-
bel. voted $500. COO in bonds at the
time 1t was formed. These bonds
were sold. and the major part OF
the money has been used in dredg-
ing the channel TO the turning ba-
sin, dredging the turning basin, cut
ting a shallow draft pleasure chan
mel TO connect with what is known
as the shrimp channel at Port Isa-
bel, putting IN the bulkheadlng.
the fill back OF this, and the transit
shed which is now nearing compile
tion.
The district also has had eXpens-
es of organization. engineering \
pense and other financing, such as
rights Of way.
The Rivers and HarborS bill OF
1880 which provided for the BrazoS
de Santiago port project provided
for a channel TO Port Isabel and
turning basin here. 70 be financed
by local interests
rTt.- n-~t Twnbnl vlwntnnf mFuE
started ahead OF the Brownsville
project as the Port lSabel-Se>
Benito navigation district sold It's
bonds before the depression. and
had cash on which TO operate. -
order to get the work done this dis
trict put up money Tor dredging
that part of the Brownsville chan
mel extending from the pass 10
Long Island, where the Port Isabel
channel proper connects. Bonds OF
the Brownsville Navigation district
were accepted as security for pay
ment, and the Brownsville district
since IL negotiated its loan. has
paid for this dredging, which was
done by the Texas. dredge OF the
Atlantic, Gulf a. Pacific Dredging
company which vii larrive shortly to
ioin the Orleans in dredging the
remaining of the Brownsville chan
mel.
Railroad 10 Basin
At the turning basin, which Is
500 by TOO feet, the steel sheet bulk
heading vas put IN, and the space
back Of It was filled with earth. The
Port Isabel a. Rio Grande Railway
already has extended a railroad
line 10 the turning basin IN carry
ing rock for the lefty work.
Then the transit head construc-
ton was started by Chase a. Leon
ard OF Port Isabel. and this job Is
nearing completion at the present
time. This shed is 100 by 100 feet,
built Of sheet metal.
.Judre James @. Louthan OF San
Benito "A attorney for the Port Isa-
bel-Sar Benito Navigation district
and also has handled the business
affairs Of the district during the
years when the port was being car
RED out.
Herbert s. Crawford. formerly
assistant port director OF Houston
has been employed as port director
OF The port OF Port Isabel. and is
row on the location. handling af-
fairs OF the port
Crawford said that arrangements
have been practically completde for
the handling Of periShables from
the Valley through Port Isabels
port to points on the Gulf and
Atlantic seaboaro.
CargoeS OF citrus are expected to
move out before this time. but delay
In completing the transit shed was
held up the beginning of CONNER
cial shipments through this port.
other merchandise will move
along with The citrus, and the boats
are expected to bring cargoes for
Valley business concerns on the
trips here.
Preliminary preparations for a
celebration upon occasion OF nov
ing the first cargo OF Valley pro-
duce out through the port at Port
Isabel are now being made.