The Wilmington morning star., 1946-02-17
Lower Rates
One Of Many
| Good Points
Geographical Location
Places Ahead OF Ner-
folk, Charleston
MANY ADVANTAGES
Figures Prove North Caro-
lima Shippers Can Ef-
feet Big Savings


industrial Life Of the Southeastern
section of the United States will
depend Largely, industrial leaders
say, upon the use made OF the
city's one great natural advantage:
the port.
J. T. Hers, executive secretary
of the Wilmington Port commits
sion. has reiterated his claim that
Wilmington should climb to great
ness through utilization OF all po-
tentials bound up in the possession
of the port. ''Wiinington's port
should handle products which are
production in this state," he declar-
ed.
"Wiknington should be known
as the state port Col. George
Fl. Gillette, district U. s. Engl-
neer, said as he assumed his on
flee in the latter part Of 1915.
The key to the entire port pro-
gram, hence the key to the city S
future growth, lies with the sub
stantial advantage Wilmington en-
ioys in its land freight rates as
compared with its main rival port
cities-Norfolk on the north, and
Charleston on the south.
An accompanying map, prepared
from data furnished by the Will
mington Port commission and the
Wilmington Port-Traffic associa-
ton. clearly illustrated the land
freight advantage this city's port
enjoys over it's rivals-and Illus
trates with forceful clarity this
salient fact: Wilmington should be
the principal port for the vast in
dustrial empire building in North
Cardinals rich Piedmont district.
Land freight rate advantages
Wilmington enjoys. The develop
ment of the port, logically must
come next.
Other Factors
This development, In turn, Is de-
pendent upon the construction OF
terminal facilities, dredging of the
Cape Fear river channel to IS feet,
the continued operation OF the
North arolina Shipbuilding COM
pany and a large, permanent dry
dock. Given these developments,
the question of steamship com
panies using the port is a fore
gone conclusion.
PORT FACTS
Location: Lat. "a degrees ID
minutes, S. Ling. ~ degrees 81
minutes w., la miles north
east of Charleston, 259 miles
northeast Of Savannah and 256
miles south of Norfolk.
Channel: 80 feet low mean
tide, ice-free, navaga bic
throughout year. Temperature
54.5 degrees mean minimum,
35-years period, mean maxi
mum annually 71.77 degrees
and mean annual 65.1 degrees
Port: Open for entrance and
clearance at any time; con-
trolled by Board Of Commits
sioners, Navigation and Pilot
age; good pilotage available.
Fire protection: One fire-boat,
1,400-gallon per minute capa-
city.
Power: Piers furnished no
220 volt current, 2 or 3 phase,
of 60 cycle frequency. Normal
average, 5000 kilowatts.
Facilities: Is piers and
wharves, served by Atlantic
Coast Line and Seaboard rail-
roads. Warehouse storage
space, $4,000 square feet.
Distribution area: 50 per
cent Of populated area In N.
q. Lower transportation costs
than any port. Of Fl cities in
N. c. of 10000 or more popula-
tion, 10 are within shipping
area.
Wilmington Is nearer 80 percen'
of North Cardinals industrial anc
agricultural development than any
other port from Charleston, S. c..
to Norfolk, Va.
BY virtue of these mileage ad
vantages the shipper will be able
to enjoy lower inland freight cos
from this area than would be his
by shipping into the ports Of other
states.
Substantial Saving
These rates represent savings o.
from four to 80 percent to the ship
per in land to water hauling.
A brief sketch of the presen
Wilmington port shows its location
on the Cape Fear river, 80 mile!
from the ocean. It is accessible by
virtue of a 30-foot channel, main
tanned by the federal government
at an annual expense of 5000, 00(
per year. Dredging expenses to
date have exceeded $15,000,000
The port is on an acceptable basi:
with other ports in respect to trans
it through the river by deep-draf
ocean-going vessels. It lack!
though, adequate terminal facili
ties for the handling of increased
shipping.
Inland Freight
The inland freight connections
picture is brighter than those foune
at the present port. Wilmington Il
served by the Atlantic Coast Linz
with lines radiating and connect
ing with its north-south main line
D..