Year: 1868

From the St. Louis Democrat.


We print Mr.. McMath's communication upon
the question of supplementary outlet to the sea
with much pleasure, and bespesk for it careful
| reading. Il is conceived in an honorable spirit
| and written in a correct and careful manner; and
while 1t may fail to convince the friends of the
Manchac canal project that his ideas in regard to
the location of the proposed canal are better than
theirs they will still give him the credit Of candor
and ability. We have read the communication
attentvely, and fail to find any reason offered why
the Manchac canal, provided it is pushed through
by private capital, just as railroads are built,
! should not be at ence undertaken and driven for
ward TO completion. New Orleans certainly has
the right and can easily raise the capital TO build
| canal into Lake Pontchartran, or open any
other outlet for herself she pleases and we do not
| think we are opposing the interests of New Or.
! leans by desiring the building of a canal through
! Manchac bayou. If the opening of this route
closed the New Orleans route TO the sea- the case
would be different. But, IN any case, we are only
| bound TO consider the interests of the greater
num Der, and II opening route TO the ocean from
| the Mississippi above New Orleans will be better
for the future millions who are to people the
| great Mississippi Valley than opening second
one below that city, we say let it be done. If the
| construction of canal below New Orleans or
! Immediately in the vicinity of New Orleans, will
cost but little and offer greater facilities to ship
ping than the Manchac canal will then that ronte
will win in the competition for trade, supposing
Mobile builds and New Orleans the other
With these few remarks submit the commuri-
cation, and cordially tender the thanks of the
comps" TO Mr.. NcMath for the legibility of his
MSS:


ST. LOUIS, June 4, 1865.
Editors Missouri Democrat


GenHemen-The discussion of projects for pro.
viding increased facilities for trade mas not pro.
gressed sufficiently far to warrant any intolerant
adherence to one particular idea n fact the sub.
Ject has been taken up in the middle, rather than
at the logical beginning, AID dispute has arisen
ID regard to routes and means at a time when the
proper topic OF discussion would be what facili.
lies are needed to meet the present and prosDec.
tive wants of the whole Mississippi valley?


A development OF these wants by a fair discus.
sien preliminary to the consideration of the means
TO be employed is what the public needs, that ac-
ton may be based upon intelligent comprehen.
sion of the whole subject


In entering upon this preliminary discussion, il
is desirable so far as possible for writers and
readers to lay aside local prejudces and personal
preferences aud judge impartially in the interest
Of the whole country.


The first great want is seaport accessible at
all times by vessels, having deep, unObstructed
and permanent channel of approach from the
sea; commOdiCus, deep and sheltered anchor
age, with tenacious bottom; in a situation afford
ing every facility OF approach from the interior
by land and water. A site for a city is desirable
but not Indispensable, if ample room for docks
and warehouses can be had in close proximity to
deep water.


These characteristics are essential to secure
cheap and expeditions transfers of freight, aud
whatever point can present a combination moss
nearly filling he schedule is the one toward which
our efforts should De directed and if no one point
possesses them all, then, by opening the best
channels OF INSTRUMENTATION practicable, let
US obtain all the desirable features by virtual
combination of the facilities at several points,


With the foregoing exposition OF what we are
to look for, we are prepared to pass in review the
various points within reach, and discover the
merits OF each.


The Florida peninsula and the outlying KEYS,
standing between us and the markets of the
Eastern States and Europe, cause the trackI of
vessels from all the gulf ports to converge at a
point lying of LoggeThead Key locating this
point upon the coast chart of the gulf we fnd
that circle with a radius Of 429 nautical miles
passes through the lighthouse on Mobile Point
comes within thirty-four miles of Ship Island light
and within mile of the hight at South west Pass
The arc thus described follows the outline of the
shore sufficiently close to enable us to say that
between any ports found within these limits no
material advantage as 10 length of sea voyage
can be claimed by any one against another.


The indirect approach by the Southwest Pass
the uncertain depth on the bar, and the difficulty
OF obtaining and maintaining a greater depth tn Al
eighteen feet on Il, in connection with the long
distance OF rapid current to be encountered, be-
fore reaching hfm ground suitable for permanent
occupation, are conclusive reasons for deciding
that New Orleans ana the mouths of the Missis-
slppl do not furnish the required facilities.


Mobile Bay is accessible to 20 feet draft vessels
-
with the moons declinaton from | $40 TO 40
feet, have no great effect upon the accessibility
of the harbor, though they are important to the
preservation Of the channel. The anchorage
ground is oommodiOus and safe, but lies at a long
distance from the shores, and the bay is too
rough TO allow two large vessels 10 lay alongside
for transfer OF caTgOes.


In the matter of access by land or from any of
the interior rivers, the port is very untavorabe
from the Mississippi, by the MaIchae or any
other line The 81 feet IN Grants Pass limits the
navigation to an inferior class Of boats, making
DO mention, for reason hereafter to be ex
planned, Of the hazards to river boats incident 70
the navigation Of Mississippi Sound, which is but
partially protected against the propagation of the
gulf waves, besides its 0wn considerable width
and length.


Chandeleur Sound and Isle au Breton Sound are
iDsumissible, as they Doth lie within the three
iathom curve, and only offer a refuge for light
draft vessels. They are only mentioned to sho v
that they have not been overlooked, as they have
had their advocates


The only point remaining is Ship Island, which
m depth OF approach and space for anchorage is
nearly or cutie equal to Mobile Bay, the eastern
arm OF the channel lying quite close 20 the island
II afotds protected berth for vessels receiving
or dHchsrging cargo, and opportunity for dock
and warehouse sites. These are its merits. Ol
the other hand, ii is not accessible by land car.
rage, s1d by river boats only after uayersing
soout sixty miles Of Lake BOrgne aud the Sound,
which is the shortest line to the Mississippi river


IL is scarcely necessary 10 say that none OF the
points mentioned combine all the features of
perfect port. Ship Island affords the nearest ap-
prca ch TO it. and by supplementing the provisions
o. ature, by works within the power Of science
70 devise and skill to execute, every officially
u sy be removed, except probably to secure easy
no direct access by land.


To prevent misunderstanding 1t is as we'll TO say
that If Ship Island be the point chosen for the
entrance Of vessels, the connection with river
boats must be made in its immediate vicinity.
To 4 and int lin oh
sea going vessels through the shoal water Of Lake
Borgne would be very expensive undertaking
by artificial means and to introduce a current
from The river would endanger aud probably
destroy its capacity a port. Experience IN
the improvement Of hsrbOrs has demonstrated
that fresh water is undesirable element to deal
with, and always renders the problem difficult
one, which in the case Of simple tidal currents is
comparatively easy and certain. Introduce fresh
water at Ship Island, and the difficulty at the
Southwest Pass is transferred to a new locality.


The question of outlets is a debatable one as to
their influence on foods in the lower river. but