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About Tri-weekly Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1873-1874 | View Entire Issue (July 3, 1873)
V1 3& THEASTORIAN. THURSDAY July 3t 1873 COMMERCIAL STATISTICS. Report on tlie Harbor and Shipping of the port of Astoria Facts Im portant to Vic Public. At a meeting of the Astoria Cham ber of Commerce, held in May last, a committee was appointed to pre pare statistics of the harbor and ship ping of the port of Astoria, for use at the Farmer's Convention. Following is the report in full. Your committee to whom was referred the matter of harbor, and stripping intelli gence, beg leave to offer the follewing: The water front of Astoria, varying from a quarter of a mile to a mile in width afford over tix miless of becure anehorage for the largest clawed vested, in from tix to twelve fathoms of water. No storms have yet visited the harbor that effected any -damage to shipping riding at anchor in the bay, or lying at the wharf. Should the demands of commerce re quire, about live consecutive miles of dock age may be cheaply constructed from the river bank to the edge of the channel, piling being necessary but a short dis tance at any given point. The central portion of the harbor is just twelve miles inside the Columbia river bar, on which there is twenty-lour feet of water at extreme low tide, and thirty-four at ordinary high tide. After crossing the bar, the depth holds still greater au the way to Astoria, so that any vessel able to cross can safely venture to our docks. About sixmilea above Astoria, at the com mencement of Cathlamcnt bay is the liog's " back, a bar some quarter of a mile in length, with ten feet of water at low and eighteen feet at high tide. This is the most dangerous point on the river, and the most skillful pilots never attempt its pas sage in the night, either with sail or steam. It is formed of shifting sands, deposited by the meeting of the tide with 'the annual freshets of the river, as Cathlametbayis ten miles long up and down the river, and from seven to fourteen in width. Thus the waters of the river are so spread out that they lose theirforce, and theincoming tide washes the loose sand into irregular bars that change their position from year "to year, and make dredging useless. Steamers are nearly always detained at Astoria, for tide to cross this bar, and should one arrive here, say at 12 m. when high water occurred at i.0 o'clock a. jr. she would have to wait until 11 a. m. the next day, as she could not proceed on the "high tide of the night. This bar has been -known for years, but as the draft of steam ers and vessels now coming into the river is greater than formerly, the difficulties -are becoming more and more apparent. There is the following named depths of water at the points mentioned at high tide: "Walker's Island, 19 ftfor milo below Rainier Carr'sWoodyard " ' above Kalaina " " " St Helen 17ftforK " Mouth Wallainet Post Office 18 y, " Swan Island... 17 " The channel is often crooked, and diffi cult of navigation, and the bar at the mouth of the Willamette Tiver is subject to annual deposts of sediment from back water of the Columbia. We find that the carrying trade of Orogon is now chiefly done by vessels of light draft and small capacity. That these are subject to a tax of $S per foot draft as pilotage; from four to ten days' delay, and 300 to 400 towage, over and above what they would have to pfry, did they receive and take in cargo at Astoria. A fair average would be, say six hundred tons capacity. Expenses would then be as follows : Pilotage 16 feet Si up S 64 '7 16 " " down 04 Six days demurrage (Sj $U0 300 Towage up 175 " down 125 Total S788 Equivalent to over four cents per bushel on the cargo of COO tons outward bound. This is buta fraction of the expense to the State growing out of present arrangement of the arrivals and denatures by sea. By cureful inspection of the shipping registers, we find the average drait of afl vessels now in use, ranging between 1,000 and 1,200 tons, to be 20 feet, and the average of all larger ones but 21 feet. While a thousand ton ship is iull larger than can reach Portland,oi any point above Astoria, loaded, on account of depth of water, a vessel of 3,000 tons can always come to Astoria whatever the stage of water. Thus, with a point higher up on the river, the export trade must forever be carried on in small vessels, while from here the shipping of the world may com pete for freights. A ship of 3,000 tons can cany wheat from Astora to Liverpool for twenty cents a bushel less than a 1,000 ton vessel can do from Portland, as the -following figures fully demenstrate: A ship of 3,000-tons is worth .$120,000 Interest, at 10 $ cent for four months (average passage) 4,000 Insurance at 12 Q cent 4,800 Depreciation at 10 cent 4,000 Captain, three mates, steward, and cook 15150, $75, $b0, S5U, $40, S40 $ month... 1,660 Twenty-four seamen $25 $ month 2,400 Stores for voyage, 30 men at 50c 1 day, 1,800 PORT CHARGES IX ASTORIA. Pilotage and towage, 23 feet (g. $10. 250 Stevedores' bill, 3,000 tons & 40c.f. 1,200 Dunnage 200 Port stores, etc t 200 LIVKKPOOL CHARGKS. Pilotage and towage, 23 feet $10.. 230 Stevedore's bill, 3,000 tons 25c 7o0 Harbor fees, tonnage dues and dockago 00 Port stores -. .200 Total expense , 22,490 uextra: Ey 3,000 tons 0.S15 ' -..S45.000 Expenses deducted.'.;..:..:...:.'.."-;- .4y0 Balance $ 22,510' ktnvviv..kt..iiniivk.uw A ship of 1,000 tons is worth... S 00,000 Interest at 10 ? cent , and Insurance r 12 ? cent, four months "4,192 Depreciation at 10 cent v - 2,000 Wafccs t month, for Captain bloO.two mates $135,stcward S5U,and 12 seamen at $ii each- 2,540 Stores for 10 men at 50c 3 day 900 PORT CHARGKS IN ASTORIA. Pilotage and townge, 19 feet $10 190 Port stores and dunnage 200 Stevedore's bill, 1,000 tons 50c 500 LIVERPOOL CHARGES. Pilotage and towage, 1 foot $10 190 Stevedore's bill 25c, harbor dues, ton nage dues and dockago 050 Port stores 100 Total expenses S 11,780 Centra: - By 1,000 tons at $15 $15,000 lixpenses ueuucicu xi,ou Balance $ 3,270 Or, a dividend of 19 per cent, on cost of the larger ship ns against 5 per cent, on that of the smaller. Or, to reduce both to 5 per cent., the 3,000 ton ship will carry wheat to Liverpool for over a third leas than the 1,000 ton vesel; that is 29 cents against 45 cents per bushel. Add to this the cost as above figured, incidental to delays andriver expenses of 4 cents per bushel, and it gives a net gain of 20 cents per bushel in favor of Astoria as an ex porting harbor, and the employment of such vessels as can safely cross the bar, over the present arrangement of Portland and small vessels. Twenty cents per bushel on the estimated crop of the State for 1S73, viz: 5,000,000 bushels, gives the snug little sum of 1,000,000 that theiarm er should have for his labor. The above figures are all substantially correct, and tell their own story. It may be said that several large vessels have loaded at Portland, but the Custom House records show that of the twenty vessels named below, comprising all the vessels of any size that have sailed from the river with wheat, from a fourth to over one-half of the cargo vas brought down to Astoria in steamboats and here put on board. And yet these records are more favorable to the city of Portland than the facts justify, for the reason that in a number of instances, two or three hundred tons was cleared from the Port land Custom House as being on board when in fact it was in lighters and steam ers alongside of the ship, and towed down to Astoria before being placed on the ves sel. List of vessels exporting wheat from Oregon, showing amount of bushels taken on at Aitoria and Pertland: Crop of 1872. 1871 Ships. July 11.. Oct 11.. 14.. " 14.. Annie M. SmulF Manilla Navigator. Electra .. Lock Dee. Siam Forward, (bbls of fiour), Bed Deer. Grasmerc Zouave Xa worth Channel Light 7,071142,4152 15,22!) 7,35!) 7,734 3,794 7.175 1.7JIS 14.021 20,022 22,177 30333 2(5,Gt)7 3,200 2G,f)0l 14.. STov. 7.. 14.. 44 21.. " 00.. Dec. 1L. 11 17.. " IS.. 1873. Jin. 16.. Eeb. 1.. 44 a. 44 17.. 44 20.. March 8 44 10 " 14 10,177 20,05212.!,.-, 34.097 22,400 17,170 21,755 44,800 31,054 33.003 2,503 8,405 0,625 14,880 11,573 1,250 8,312 0,095 7,705 3,828 Victoria Nyanza... Whittington Felix Mendelsohns- Sarah Scott 30,000 Boswcll Spiaguo... Illione Carribou Victoria Cross. 35,080 30,039 32.083 24;342 Again, deep sea vessels never like to leave the salt water. Coasters are willing to steamboat it, but large vessels avoid steamboat grounds. In fact, the under writers do not allow deep sea vessels to venture from their natural element at will. The striking of a vessel on any of the bars of the river, even if no immediate damage is discovered, is sufficient cause to render null and void the policy of insur ance, should she take in cargo and pro ceed to sea without being put on the dry dock and having her bottom examined. Should a ship be lost under such circum stances, not a dollar of insurance could be collected on the vessel, and if the owners were responsible, the underwriters upon the cargo would hold them for the value thereof. Hence large vessels will never be induced to undertake the navigation of the bars of the Columbia above Astoria. t Now as to the safety of the Columbia river. Exact data is wanting of the whole number of vessels that have crossed the bar, but from certain periods during which the data is complete, we are enabled to approximate very closely, and set the number down at an average of five hun dred a year for the last twenty-one years, or since 1852. The following is a com plete list of all the losses or wrecks that have occurred on the bar since 1S52, which year may be considered the beginning of wisdom as regards the channels, currents, &c, on or about the bar. Barks Mendora, and Merrithew, lost January 12th, 1S53, came in without pilots, wind failed after getting in, and they drifted ashore, liark Oriole, lost September 19th, 1S53. Brig Detroit, lost Dec. 22, 1S55, on outer spit. Going out at night. Bark Desdemona, lost Dec. 81st, 1S56. Came in without a pilot, ran on sands six miles inside. Schooner Woodpecker lost May 10, 1S61, four miles inside. Bark Industry,lost March 16, 1S65, com ing in without a pilot. Bark "W. B. Scranton, lost May 5th 1S67. ' Only eight vesselsin twenty-one years. ight out of 10,500. One out of 1,312, or one-thirteenth of one per cent, of the ship ping coming into the river. Of this number, four were coming in without pilots. It futher appears that near ly every loss during the time under reveiw, was the result, not of a rough bar, but of the wind failing after the vessel had crossed thus leavirTff her to drift on the sands. It also seems that each loss of vessels coming in occurred when they were, sailing against the tide, instead of with it , There heing no tug to go to their relief, Vessels marked thus () are known to Have lightered more than tho amount' credited' above. of course there could be no rescue. It is safe to say that, had there been a tug' at hand, every vessel thuslar lost on the Dar might have beed saved. Since the placing of the tug Astoria upon the bar, or pilot grounds, in 1869, there has been no loss, and with nroner care on thenart of tun- and pilots, there need be noneibr many rears to come. The::e facts warrant us m mak ing the bold assertion, that there is no barr ed harbor known to commerce, where the percentage of loss is so small; and few, if any, open harbors that can show so fair a record. The currents and prevailing winds are such, and the land marks so well defined, that at a time when it is un safe to cross the bar, vessels outside can readily keep off, and wait a suitable time to enter. And there is good holding grounds but a few hundred rods inside for vessels bound out to anchor, and select from the sopt their own time to pass out. Less trouble is experienced from logs at the Columbia, than either to the north or south, as they are not frequent, and are much less dense, owing, no doubt, to the presence of :erial currents, resulting from peculiar physical conformations. The channel is distinctly boujTed out, and lighted by a first class light-house on Cape Disappointment, where is established a life saving station by Government, -with all the necessary facilities for rendering aid in case of accident on the bar. Gov ernment has also made an appropriation for a lighthouse at Point Adams, and preparations are going forward for-commencing the work at once. The commerce of Oregon has hereto fore been taxed by underwriters far above the proper and reasonable rate. But, as the rate of insuarance is made up from a knowledge of the actual pro rata of loss incident to a given harbor, when such data is to be had, or guessed at from gen eral impressions, in the absence of reliable information, there seems no good reason why, if the above facts are laid before the various marine underwriters of the land, the discrimination against the Columbia river bar should not be removed, and our insurance had at ji fair rate, much less than is now imposed. Another important point gained by making Astoria the exporting harbor, would be the employment of home capi tal in the river trauportation, instead of foreign, or outside, as is now done. The question is now never raised about Sandy Hook bar, at the entrance of New York harbor, being too shallow and rough for the extensive and profitable employment of all classes of vessels, yet there is five feet more water on the Columbia river bar at high tide, than there is on Sandy Hook at a corresponding stage of water. But, to conclude, it is evident that the class of vessels Tequired to carry the suplus pro ducts of Oregon to a foreign market, at a price consistent with the cost of production, must stop at the mouth of the Columbia river. Therefore, it is a simple problem of whether Oregon will build up and main tain a seaport town worthy of a great state, within her own borders, or whether such a place will be sustained on Pugut Sound, or California, at an annual cost of one-fourth the agricultural wealth of the State. The committee are under obligations to Mr. VanDusen, Mr. Hare, Collector of Customs, and the Pilots, for valuable in formation. Respectfully submitted, J. H. D. GraYj A. S. Mercer, W". W. Parker,' Committee. Astoria, May 31, 1873. COLUMBIA RIVER PILOTS! P. JOHNSON, II. A. SNOW, M. M. OILMAN, G. HEED, C.S. WRIGHT, Agent. .P. E. PERCHIN. KS" Office Cornor of Main and Chenamus streets, Astoria, Oregon. Oregon Steam Nav. Co. NOTICE Boats of tho 0. S, N. Company will leavo As toria as follows : FOlt PORTLAND, and intermediate points Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday Mornings, at U o'clock. Returning, leave Pertland: FOR ASTORIA, and intermediate points On Monday, Wednesday and Friday Mornings, at 0 o'clock. J. C. AINSWORTH, Pros The Steam Tug Varuna Will leave Astoria ovorv A TUESDAY and SATURDAY Morning, for PORT STEVENS, CAPE DISAPPOINTMENT, And UNITY, Carrying Mails, Passongers and Freight. t3- Other days of tho week she will ho ready to go anywhoro that business may justify, is prepared to lighter cargoes, freight, hay, cattlo and wood. J . H. D. GRA 1' Agent, Astoria. BOHTON, Is prepared to build Boats of all sizes and desciiptions eithor of EASTERN or HOME MATERIALS, At Less tlian San Francisco Prices ! Freight deducted Orders left at tho Astoriax Offico, or addressed to tho undersigned, will.ro ceivo attention V W ROUTON, Unity, V T KLASIvANINE PACKET. From and after July lstlS73,tho A No 1, fast sailing Sloop s-&, BLUE RACER, :&3sb. EUGENE BROCK...- Master Will ply regularly between Astoria and Klas kanino, leaving every Tuesday and Saturday. &Uttice at tho U.nion House, Astoria. POR CHARTER. Tho Fast Sailing fc Sloop, IONE, -SS&i. R. CYRUS SHIVELY Master. Isjqow. in1 readiness "toCharter for Pleasure Pai;ties, freight, orJ?aisengcrs 1 lleauiuartcr5 at Caso's Landing' Boat BUILDING ! A Y. W. ASTORIA ADVERTISEMENTS. istablislicd in Astoria in 1819. NEW GOODS. CHEAP GOODS, A. VAN DUSEN, Wholesale and Retail Dealer in GENERAL MERCHANDISE, Corner of Main and Chonamus streets, ASTORIA, OREGON. IS NOW OFFERING FOR SALE ONE OF the largest and most complete assortments of Gorieral Morchandio ever before brought to tho country, and to buyers For Cash will offer the Most Flattering Inducements In tho lino of DRY-GOODS, CLOTHING, HATS, AND CAPS, BOOTS AND SHOES FANCY GOODS, LADIES' DRESS GOODS, GENTS' FURNISHINGS, A Complete Stock of Every Article, TOO XUMEROTJS TO MENTION. KS"Givo mo a call, and bo convinced that ray goods are of the best quality, and as cheap as can do oougut oi any nouso in tno State. A. VAN DUSEST. MRS. A. S. MERCER, Teacher of Prof. E. A. Robbies' American Metlioft for Piano Forte Alse: Harmony andThoroughbaso! J5T Tho ONLY CONCISE SYSTEM which will stand Artistic Criticism, and furnish the material upon which every educated Toachor can base their own peculiarities of instruction, it presents in a now light, based upon Natu ral Liws, tho art of Execution, and Science of Music ftSTRooms at Residence, Astoria"tt . Dr. S. K1NSEY, DRUGGIST AND APOTHECARY, Astoria, Oregon. PHYSICIANS AND FAMILY PRESCRIP tions filled from tho PUREST DRUGS, either at day or night. A full stock of "WINES AND LIQUORS. POR lEDICAL USE, PATENT MEDICINES, TOILET ARTICLES, OILS BRUSHES, ETC., B, Orders from tho Country solicited, and carefully and promptly filled. A. J. DONALDSON. GRANVILLE BEED. DONALDSON & REED. Dealers in all kinds of PRESH AND CURED MEATS, CANNED PRUITS, VEGETABLES. FRESH BEEF, PORK, MUTTON, VEAL, HAMS, BACON AND LARD, MESS BEEF AND PORK, AST Constantly on hand. fiST Special attention paid to supplying ships. Holladay's wharf, Astoria. 1 H. 6. PARKER, Importer and Dealer in Wines, Liquors, Cigars TOBACCO, GROCERIES, PROVISIONS, Etc., Etc. flHolladny's Wharf, Main street, Astoria. J. W. QEARHART, COMMISSION MERCHANT, Chenamus street Astoria. "Wholosalo and Retail Doalor in Hay, Grain and Feed ! A GENERAL ASSORTMENT of Groceries, FLOUR, BACON, HAMS, SHOULDERS, LARD, BUTTER, CHEESE, EGGS, Etc. Motto" Small Profits on Cash Sales." Con signments solicited. tf Oregon Bakery. Main St., (Holladay's Wharf,) Astoria, Orogon. CHARLES BINDER, Proprietor. lltESII BREAD, CAKES, PIES, CRACK- ei-3 and. Pilot Rread, always on hand. ' A RESTAURANT Is kept in connection with the Bakery, whore meals can boproeurod at all hours. jKgr Oysters in every btylo in tho season.!! Astoria Bakery, Corner of Main and Cass streets, Astoria. HENRY JACOBS Proprietor. BREAD, CRACKERS, PILOT BREAD, Cakes.Groceries and Provisiens of aU kinds always on hand. Ship stores furnished. tt- Connected with tho establishment is a Reading Room. Cigars andLagcrBeerscrved. PETERS. POX, MERCHANT TAILOR, Corner of Main and J'effbrson streets, Astoria. CLOTHING OF ALL KINDS CUT AND made to order. Cleaning and repairing. 17 (lv ASTORIA advertisements: Headquarters I headquarters ! I. W. CASE, "Wholosalo and Retail Dealor in Dry Goods floltiinjr, Groceries, Provisions, Notions, And Geiteral Merchandise, WISHES 10 ANNOUNCE TO THEPUB he that tie has a very superior and well selected btoek of Goods in tho above lino, be sides which may" bo found In great variety, tho best quality of , CROCKERY, GLASSWARE, HATS AND CAPS, BOOTS AND SHOES, BLANKETS, PLANNELS, &c, Which is being offered Cheap POR CASH or PRODUCE ! KST Having had years of experience I think I know; the wants of tho people, and as this stock is nearer completo, and embraces a GREATER VARIETY than any other stock in Clatsop county, I ,will guarantee that you will do as well, if not bettor, by trading with me man at any otner establisnmont. 83T Having reduced my expenses materially of late I proposo to give my customors tho boneiit of tho reduction, and any porson who doubts whether I will sell as cheap as any ono FOR CASH! cairbo convinced by giving mo a call at Headquartors, " Caso's Corner," Chona mus street, Astoria. I. y . C. S. N. ARRIGQNI, Occident Hotel JBlocIc, Astoria, ' Wholesale and Retail Dealer in Choice Brand Liquors! The Pinest in the Market CONSTANTLY ON HAND! Which will bo sold in lots to suit purchasers OCCIDENT HOTEL, S. N. ARRIGONI Proprietor, Astoria, Oregon. THE BEST PURNISHED, MOST CONVE nient and in every respect popular hotel in Oregon. Owing to its location it is considered A VeryDeligiitful Summer Resort. BSTMagnificent Suit3 of Rooms for families. Tho table is supplied with tho choicest delica cies of tho season. Wine and Billiard Room attached to tho Hotel. Baths! Baths! Hoi, Cold, and Shower Baths ! AT OCCIDENT HOTEL, HAIR DRESSING SALOON. "WM. TJhlenhajrt Proprietor. CSr Special attention paid to LADIES' and CHILDKEN'S HAIR CUTTING ftef Private Entrance for Ladies 'T H. S. MAIL AND EXPRESS. From Astoria to Clatsop Beacli I Past HORSES! Good CARRIAGE! LEAVES ASTORIA EVERY TUESDAY, Thursday and Saturday Mornings. Arrive Samo Mornings at tho OCEAN HOUSE, GRIMES HOUSE, SUMMER HOUSE, And SEA SIDE HOUSE. RE lURNING Leaves those Houses every Monday, Wodnesday and Jb'riday, connecting with steamer to Portland each way. B5" Distance twenty-four miles, faro Si 50. H. R. PARKER, Proprietor. M. MEYERS' ASTORIA BREWERY! AVING ALL THE MACHINERY NEC- essary for nrst class work, skillful lirewors aud using none but tho best quality of mateii als, tho Propriotor is prepared to Manufacture LAGER BEER ! In any quantity, from a Single Bottlo to a BARREL, AiD PUT IT UP in good con dition for Shipment or Immediate use. Fami lies and keopers of Public Houses promptly and regularly supplied. M MEYEK, Prop r Astoria Market Chenamus Street v. ,. Astoria. HOBSON & WARREN, Wholesale and Retail Dealers in all kinds of Fresh and Cured Meats! Butter, Eggs, Cheese, Hams, Bacon and Lard! C" Canned Pruits and Vegetables constant ly on hand. Ships supplied at lowest rates. H. A. SHAW & SON? House, Sign and Steam. "boat Painters Astoria, Orkgox. JSST'I'aper Hanging and Glazing c$& Done to Order with Neatness and Dispatch. Established 1887. mlock TANNERY ! C.LEINENWEBER.I H.BROWN, TProfriktors. 3 Manufacture all kinds of Leather "Stt He