The Wilmington morning star., 1944-04-12
Port Development

Because it shows that those sincerely interest
ed in advancing the Port of Wilmington are
continually pressing toward their goals despite
wartime distractions recent House approval
OF the rivers and harbors bill including ap-
proximately 81, 500, 600 for improvement of the
Cape Fear River and harbor is heartening.
We must have larger and better port in
the days of the peace to come if we are to
obtain our share of the country's Shipping
Therefore, the measure is an imperative one
in our postwar plans.
The principal provisions of the approximation
are deepening of the river from 80 to 80 feet.
widening the channel from 300 to 400 feet and
enlargng the turning basin. The Northeast
river would also be deepened from % to Is
feet The work would be started six months
after the war unless earlier construction was
found necessary or desirable in the interest
OF national defense
The bill is now before the Senates Com
merce committee, of which North Cardinals
Josiah W. Bailey is chairman. This group will,
in all probability act upon it Immediately
after the recess.
In enumerating the friends of the states
ports, Senator Bailey's name is high on the
list. Time and again he has used his efforts
shows the benefits of his good work and for
which the community is highly appreciative.
He has given attentive ear to our problems
and needs and we feel sure that he will not
fail in this new opportunity to help prepare
Wilmington for the great postwar period it
faces. His kncwedge and interest in world af-
fairs have made him outstanding in the Senate,
familiar with the broad advantages offered
the American Merchant Marine after the war.
He knows what adequate ports will mean to
their communities then and his continued in
terest in his state assures favorable reception
for this portion of the bill in the Senate. With
his assistance, Wilmington can well expect ap-
We are to fit into proper place in the
peacetime shipping picture.
The United States will have the world
largest merchant fleet if it does not foolshly
dissipate it. Unquestonably we will keep the
larger and better vessels to turn our trade to
South America. This means that the southern
ports will come in for more commerce than
ever before and those with the best facilities,
such as deeper channels and most modern
terminals, will command and get the larger
share.
This project is not new one but it's first ad-
vance dates back to the time when Col. George
Gillette, a native of this section and now
Division Engineer of the New England division,
was District Army Engineer here. He was
deeply interested in it and his judgment call
ing for passage at that time showed real fore
sight. Recently Lieut.. Col. J. T. Knight, Jr.,
the present engineer spoke of the proposed
undertaking as an opportunity of reestablish-
ing Wilmington as a port adding that it
would make it possible to handle any ocean
going vessel without any difficulty.
In view of the futures potential opportuni-
ties, approval of this portion of the general
port betterment program will allow us to go
forward with great plans for its utilization.
Early favorable Senate action will be most
gratifying to all who are thinking of new
heights for Wilmington in tomorrow's world
of commerce.