The coastland times. [volume] (Mnateo [i.e. Manteo], N.C.) 1947-1959, 1955-04-01
Single Copy 7e
CLARK COMES OUT
SEEKING AID FOR
HATTERAS HARBOR
Elizabeth City Business Man Urges
Congressman Take Action For
Relief Of Bad Situation


Taking note of the editorial in
this newspaper calling attention
to the serious situation at Hat
teras Harbor, Miles Clark. Eliza
beth City business man and Coast
land booster has written Con-
gresham Herbert Bonner urging
action in behalf of this important
harbor.
In passing it may be said that
consumers of gasoline and fuel
oils, must pay premium prices for
oils on Hatteras Island because of
the added difficulty and expense
of transportation. In this wise, the
citizens and their guests are
penalized daily by the situation.
In commenting on the situation
to Mr.. Bonner, Mr.. Clark says:
"The entrance to Hatteras har-
Dor has filled considerably since
the last dredging was performed.
1t is impossible to come straight
into the harbor o-beacon.
You have to run a circuitous
course to avoid all the shoals and
not even the most experienced
seamen can negotiate the narrow
channels thout grounding.
Something should be done about
it-and fast.
eve have-or will have-a ma
tionally recognized Cape Hatteras
National Seashore Recreational
Area in year or two. Much pub
licity has already been introduced
in this connection and there is
bound to be unprecedented crowds
visiting the area in succeeding
years. There is nothing more i'm
portant to the future well-being
of the island than a good harbor
at Hatteras. Much money has al
ready been expended for good
docking facilities at this point and
more is contemplated. Mr.. Walter
Wilkins has erected one of the
finest marinas on the east coast
tit must have cost at least one
hundred thousand dollars) and it's
Importance and utility is COM
pletely nullified by the shoal wa
tiers outside the harbor.
81 certainly feel that Hatteras
is of such Importance that the
federal government would take
steps to stabilize a channel lead
ing into this port. This might be
accomplished by jetties of ballast
rock or concrete. The Coast Guard
is moving it's operation to the
north shore and it is always high
ly essential that they have immed-
late ingress and egress. BY stab
ilizing the channel leading into
Hatteras, boat owners would be
more encouraged to use the port
and marine commerce would
boom. This would also serve as an
other medium for tourists to visit
the Outer Banks, avoiding the
crowded ferries at Oregon Inlet. 1t
would also relieve the ferries to
some extent.
"There is only one means of
getting petroleum supplies to the
Outer Banks. The ferries are not
permitted to carry inflammable
cargoes and we have to rely on
barges altogether. These cargoes
are having to be diminished be-
cause of gradual closing of the
channel and shoal waters. 1t in
creases the burden and expenses
of all concerned immensely and
the situation should be given very
serious consideration. Every one
recognizes the Importance of ade-
quate depth of water at Hatteras,
especially during wartime. 1t
should be tied in with our defense
program to some extent. However,
it's immediate Importance is rela-
tionship to the crowds anticipated
for the Cape Hatteras National
Seashore Recreational Area and
the large boost to $ fishing
among the many wre> surround
ing famed Diamond Shoals.
Anything that you can do to
expedite greater depth of water
in and out of Hatteras Harbor will
be highly appreciated. l feel that
the time has come when the en-
trance should be properly jettied
and Robinson Channel dredged to
adequate depths and width"