There are 500 vessels yearly in and out of the river. The Lea & Son's Company received and shipped last year 100,000 tons of grain and flour, one-third of it by water. They state that if draught of water permitted they would load vessels direct for their West India trade, instead of, as now, sending by railroad and barges to New York and Philadelphia for reshipment. Much more freight would be carried by water if larger vessels could navigate the stream. The city of Wilmington being intersected by the Brandywine and Christiana rivers, and being connected thereby with the great Delaware water highway, affords an opportunity for a commercial growth, especially when combined with the enterprise of her citizens, that cannot be other than rapid, and it is predicted that her water-ways will soon have to be improved to the greatest possible extent, that no impediment may exist to a direct trade to all portions of the world, which is now indirectly established to all quarters of the globe. No improvements have ever been made by the General Government in the Brandywine River. Wilmington is in the collection district of Delaware, and is a port of entry. The nearest fort and light-honse are respectively Fort Delaware and Christiana Light. The amount of revenue collected at Wilmington during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1883, was $33,098.52. The letters appended explain themselves, and are selected from a number received bearing on the same subject. I have the honor to be, very respectfully, your obedient servant, Lieut. Col. GODFREY WEITZEL, JOHN H. DAGER, Corps of Engineers, U. S. A. LETTER OF MESSRS. JOHN HAMILTON & CO., DEALERS IN COAL, WOOD, LIME, ETC. WILMINGTON, DEL., November 2, 1883. DEAR SIR: We are in receipt of your favor of October 31, and in reply will say, that the improvement of the Brandywine Creek, from its mouth up, is a thing much desired by us, and badly needed for the proper transaction of our business; in our opinion the channel should not be less than 9 feet in depth at low water, and have a width of not less than 150 feet as far as Eleventh Street Bridge, which is a wharf above us. We have trouble now, and time but adds to it, as is the case, you will find, with our neighbors all along the Brandywine Creek. Very respectfully, yours, JOHN HAMILTON & Co. LETTER OF MR. LEA PUSEY. WILMINGTON, DEL., November 2, 1883. DEAR SIR: I have received your letter of October 31, in regard to improving the Brandywine Creek for uavigation. As you ask my opinion as to its desirability, I would say that it is not only very desirable, but quite necessary to the business interests of that part of the city dependent thereon, for the reason that vessels drawing only 6 feet are quite often struck on one of the numerous rocks, even at high water, and some tides they cannot get up; this entails serious loss of time and damage to the vessels, and this risk adds to the cost of freighting on this stream. The advantages of the improvement proposed would be to have the creek navigable without being attended with the present risks. The minimum width and depth of channel at low water ought to be not less than 5 feet deep and 75 feet wide. Six feet deep and 100 feet wide would be still more desirable. Respectfully, Mr. JOHN H. DAGER, LEA PUSEY. Assistant United States Engineer. LETTER OF MESSRS. SEIDEL, HASTINGS & CO. THE WILMINGTON PLATE-IRON ROLLING MILLS, DEAR SIR: Your valued favor of 31st ultimo was duly received. In reply we would say that the improvement of the Brandywine Creek by deepening and widening its channel is, in our judgment, not only very desirable, but absolutely necessary for its navigation by vessels of the size which we generally require to carry our freights. In the present condition of the stream we find it very difficult, and frequently impossible, to obtain vessels of sufficiently light draught of water to reach our wharf loaded. In regard to the proper depth and width of the channel, we should say that, for the amount of business done on the creek, at least 8 feet deep at low water and from 100 to 150 feet wide should be obtained. Yours, very respectfully, JOHN H. DAGER, Esq., Assistant United States Engineer. SEIDEL, HASTINGS & Co. LETTER OF THE WILLIAM LEA & SONS COMPANY. THE WILLIAM LEA & SONS COMPANY, BRANDYWINE MILLS, Wilmington, Del., November 12, 1883. DEAR SIR: Your favor received. We think it quite important to the city of Wilmington that the improvements to the Brandywine Creek should begin at once. With the present depth of water it is almost impossible to charter vessels of any size to bring grain to our mills. We think it desirable that you should attain a depth of 6 feet at low water from Eleventh Street Bridge to the Market Street Bridge, and a width of 75 feet at Market Street Bridge, gradually widening to 100 feet at Eleventh Street Bridge. From Eleventh Street Bridge to the mouth of the creek a depth of 9 feet at low water, and a width of 100 feet at Eleventh Street Bridge, widening to 150 feet at the mouth of the creek. These improvements, we think, would induce large manufacturing establishments to locate on the Brandywine, and would lead to a very large increase in the tonnage of this stream. We sincerely hope that a sufficient appropriation will be made by the next Congress to begin these improvements. Yours, truly, JOHN H. DAGER, Esq., PRESTON LEA, President. Assistant United States Engineer. |