The coastland times with which is combined the pilot and herald of Belhaven and Swan Quarter. [volume] (Manteo, N.C.) 1959-1973, 1960-02-19
SHOALS HAMPERING|
FERRY OPERATIONS
AT OREGON INLET.
Weather Conditions Over Week
End Result in Worsening Al
ready ShoalIy Channel

M. L. Burrus, Hatteras business
man, claimed this week that it was
'fhigh shoals and not low water
which has hampered the schedules
of Oregon Inlet ferry recently.
He made the statement Wednes-
day after reading an Associated
Press dispatch captioned "Oregon
Inlet Ferries Halted By Low Wa
ter" Under Hatteras dateline the
story follows:
Low water Monday forced dis
ruption in ferry service across Ore
gon Inlet between Hatteras and
Mays Head.
''The Highway Department said
one boat (ferry) was locked on
each side of the inlet when service
was halted at 1 pm. The boats
(ferries) are expected to be back
in service Tuesday morning."
Burrus was one of the Hatteras
business men who was caught in
the delay on the north side of the
inlet Monday.
At pm. Monday there were
80 automobiles and trucks in line
awaiting the ferry to begin opera
ton. There had been some indi-
cation by ferry operators that at
tenpts may be made to make the
crossing about o'clock. Conditions
did not change, however, so the
trip WAS not made.
"There were about 35 of us en-
route TO Hatteras who had to stay
overnight north of the Inlet Mon
day night" said Burlus.
Ferry service was again inter-
rupbed Tuesday and Wednesday
afternoon, service being suspended
about 1 pm. or after. Thursday
afternoon service was expected to
be nearer normal, tidal conditions
being better.
County Commissioner Edwards
of Waves was one of the Hatteras-
men stranded north of the Inlet
as result of the ferry situation
Monday. He called the Governors
office TO report the situation to
Harold Makepiece, secretary of
Governor Hodges.
Burrus Makes Suggestion
Burrus in his statement ex-
pressed the opinion that since there
seems little likelihood that dredge
could be sent to Oregon Inlet in
the immediate future to deepen the
channels, that perhaps the shoals
could be eliminated and a channel
opened by the use of dynamite.
Farmers dig bitches with dyna-
mite on dry land, so it seems rea-
sonable to think that if dynamite
was properly used on the shoals
they could be eliminated and a
channel would be deepened," said
Burrus.
"It is ridiculous to blame the stu
alton on low water. There is a rise
and fall of the tide twice daily
throughout the year and all over
the world. The way navigational
interests are served and protected
is by the deepening of channels"
cit is definitely not low water
but high shoals that is causing
the ferry trouble at Oregon Inlet"
he stated.
William N. Sprrill, highway d.
vision engineer, here this week
stated that the situation at Oregon
Inlet following recent stormy
weather had reached an emergency
status.
Here with him was j. L. Norris,
highway photographic engineer Of
Raleigh who has been investigating
the situation and making sound
ings at Oregon Inlet.
Asked if they thought dynamite
might be used to an advantage in
knocking the tops off the shoals,
each agreed that "while such a
procedure had never been tried by
the highway department it may
be of benefit in deepening the
channels"
Norris indicated that he planned
to contact the us. Army Engi-
neers 30 see if they had ever sue
cessully used dynamite in elimi-
mating channel shoals.
Sprsxill also stated that he
planned to investigate the report
that erosion resulting from winter
storms had created a hazard at
the Dead End barricade of NC.
345 ON Roanoke Islands North
End.
It was reported Thursday morn
ing that the barricade had been
moved to its new location, thus
eliminating such hazard.