The Tacoma times. [volume] (Tacoma, Wash.) 1903-1949, 1941-05-15
Ship Canal Proposal Is Revived
AS Defense Program Is Expanded

CONTINUED From Page onel
bor: Leaving the channel Of Grays
harbor at South bay. passing in a
general southeriy direction close
10 the foot Of the bluffs. and on
the westerly side thereof. for a
distance Of about nine miles, en-
tering Willapa harbor on the
northeriy side Of TokeIand PENN
sula.
Wiilapa harbor 20 Columbia
river; Leaving Willapa harbor
near Bakers slough. thence in a
general southerly direction along
the easteriy edge Of the bogiand
and close 10 the foo. Of the bluffs
for about five miles. thence in a
general southeasterly direction. en-
tering tidewater at the northeriy
end OF Bakers bay.
The routes and locations were
surveyed and determined by the
canal commission OF the state II
Washington.
SIZE OF CANALS
The commission recommended
construction of a lock canal from
Puget Sound at Olympia to Grays
harbor. with locks OF not less than
90 feet by 600 feet; a depth of IA
feet over upper inter sills. and
having total lift of approximate
ly 30 feet above mean sea level;
minimum bottom width Of canal
section to be not less than 90 feet
for light-draft seagoing ships and
capable of future enlargement as
tonnage develops.
The Grays harbor to Willapa
harbor and to the Columbia river
canals are recommended on a sea-
level basis. with a minimum bot
tom width Of 100 feet for light
draft seagoing ships drawing 10
feet In salt water and capable of
future development as tonnage in
creases.
Several years ago the corps Of
engineers for rivers and harbors,
in their report to congress recon-
mending 1000 projects at an esti-
mated cost of $4,000, 900. 900, in
cluded this canal project as meri-
torious.
COST OF CANAL
Careful calculations Of various
factors to be considered, with full
allowance for requirements of the
act creating the canal commission,
which declared its purpose to pro-
vide the greatest amount of indi-
vidual employment, results in an
estimate of $3S. 921 ,63s as the cost
of the entire project.
The cost of one battleship would
build the canal.
PROTECTION FOR VESSELS
There are about 10000 craft of
various classifications registered at
ports along the Northwest waters
Puget Sound. Grays Harbor,
Willapa harbor, and the Columbia
river.
There are more than 10000 fish
ing vessels, many tugs and barges,
light draft cargo vessels, and
thousands of pleasure craft which
will use the waterways for bust
ness and pleasure.
In time Of bad weather the fish
ing fleets will find a safe passage
through the canals.
VITAL MILITARY USES
The naval forces at the Puget
Sound base are at present limited
to the Straits Of Juan de Fuca for
ingress and egress. The proposed
waterway would permit more thar
half the commissioned vessels Of
the navy TO enter and depart by
the canal, and the two lower
canals would accommodate three
fourths of the registered ships Of
the navy with the tide a mean ses
level.
The sea-level canals would
allow submarines to operate
from that base through either
Grays harbor, Willapa harbor,
and Puget Sound, In addition
TO the Columbia river en-
trance. and come 10 the relief
or support of any naval unit
engaged in battle at the
straits. Vessels moving from
Puget Sound would have three
other exits into the ocean IL
the canals were constructed.
The navy yard at Bremen
ton IL becoming n principal
base for construction Of cruis-
ers, destroyers, and such craft,
and for fleet repairs. The pro-
posed waterways would en-