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About Tri-weekly Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1873-1874 | View Entire Issue (July 8, 1873)
07 t2srssacEc sasaesaacs THE ASTORIA MONDAY.. July S, 1873 COMMERCIAL STATISTICS. IZcjiort on the Harbor and Shipping of the port of Astoria Facts Im portant to the Public. At a meeting of the Astoria Cham lx?r 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 mutter of harbor, and shipping intelli gence, beg leave to offer the follewing: The water front of Astoria, varying from a quarter of a mile to amile in width afford- over tix mile of secure anchorage for the largest clawed vessel.-, in from bix 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 ouire. about five consecutive miles of dock age may be cheaply constructed from the river hank to the edge of the channel, piling being necessary but a bhort dis tjince at any nven point. The central portion of the harbor is just twelve miles inside the Columbia river bar, on which there is twenty-four feet of water at extreme low tide, and thirty-four at ordinary hih tide. After crossing the bar, the depth holds still greater all the way to Astoria, so that tiny vessel able to cross can safely venture to our docks. About six miles above Astoria, at the com mencement of Cathlament bay is the hog'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-.-age in the night, either with sail or steam. It is formed of shifting sand, deposited by the meeting of the tide with the annual freshets of the river, as Cathlamet bay is 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 loe their force, and the incoming tide wa-hes the looe 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 i. when high water occurred at io o'clock a. m. 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, 10 ftfor mile below Rainier Carr'sWoodyard " " " above " Xalama " " M " Ft Helen 17 ftfor K " Mnntli Wnllsiiiiot:" U " Post Office IS " Swan Island... 17 " . . -The channel is often, crooked, and diffi cult of navigation, and the bar at the mouth of the Willamette river is subject to annual deposts of sediment from back water of the Columbia. "We find that the carrying trade of Oregon is now chiefly done by vessels of light draft and small capacity. xhat 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 pay, did they receive and take in cargo at Astoria. A fair aveiage would be, say mx hundred tons capacity. Expenses would then, be as follews: Pilotage 10 feet &$4 up S U 44 l'i 44 " down W Fix days demurrage (a. S0.-, ."......... ttiiO Towage up , '. .".... 17o ' down ., 12') Total , , '. $78S Equivalent to over four cents per bushel on the cargo of COO tons outward bound. This is but a fraction of the expense to the State growing out of present anangement of the arrivals and depatures by sea. By curefur inspection of the, shipping registers, we find the average -draft of all vessels now in use, ranging between 1,000 and 1,200 tons, to be Vtty2 feet, and the average of all larger ones but 2VA feet. "While, a thousand ton ship is- full larger than can reach Portland,or 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 jor freights. l A sliip of 33000 tons can carry wheat froin-Astora to-Xiverpool for twenty-cents a bushel less than a 1,000 ton vessel 'can do from Portlandras the" following figuies fully demenstrate: , A ship of JJ.OOO tons is worth ,'.....'$120,000 Interest, at 10 p cent, lor lour montus (average passage). .i.1. 4,000 4,800 4,000 Insurance at X- T1 cent.,. Depreciation ilt 10 frtfentU f Captain, three mates.fefrard, andcook -&150, $75, 600, 50, 40', $J t month... Twenty-four seamen $25 13 month sjioresjfor voyage, ap -men at 50c "r day, voirr cirlitGEs; i.v ASTOIWA. Pilotage and towage, 23 feet $10 Ftovcdores' bill,S,000 tons (.M0c Dannage..: - loitstoresj etc v...:...- ' T.IV'fcRi'OOli CJlXkCJhS. 2,400' 1,800 2)0 1,200 200 200 2.T0 Pttoteffeind towafeet33'feet &$VL Ftevedoro's bill, 3,000. t'oiw-........; 750 H&rb6reoB.toBnagette6lBimlMlockxgo, '8Q0 31 XIOC!j.f-:;.U.;i .: -4UR 1Si . i t li,'ZZ ;tf...&.rt.?.'.Sm&n rn J ??....; zam. 22,510 "--w,-?"YrtnciC '-fr tmm LMMl tariff u.viti r JHffi4pM9S wvvllivi4Cl.tf t.ft..T. "''nWaDCS A ship of 1,000 tons is worth .S 60,000. Interest nt. 1U V rout. and Insurniico ( 12 T cent, four months , '. -M Denreriutinn nt 10? cent Waste f' month, for Captain 51"), two mates Sl&VtemirdS.jU.and 12 seamen at Si" each 2,540 Stores for Hi men at 50c t1 day ..... 'JW roar ch vrges i.v astokia. Pilotage and towago, 1' feetfe S10 Port stores" and dunnage Stovedorc's bill. 1,000 tons (fcoOe MVKKl'OOL CHAKGKS. Pilotage and towage, H feet & $10 Stevedore's bill dcSic, harbor duos, ton nage dues and dockage Port stores 190 200 500 100 Go0 100 Total expenses S 11,780 Cextka: By 1,000 tons at Slo $r,000 Expenses deducted 11,780 Ualance S 3,270 Or, a dividend of 10 per cent, on cost of the larger ship as against 5 per cent, on that of the smaller. Or, to reduce both to 5 per cent., the 3,000 ton ship will cany wheat to Liverpool for over a thiid less 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 and river 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, cives the snug little sum of 1,000,000 that the fann 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 was brought down to Astoria in steamboats and here put on board. And yet these recoids 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 lighter, and steam ers alongside of the ship, ancLtowcd down to Astoria before being placed on the ves sel. List of vessels exporting wheat from Oregon, showing amount of bushels taken on at Astoria and'Pertland: - " Cnor of 1872. 1871 Ships. 5 r i en .- 1 July 11.. Oct 11.. 14.. " 14.. ' 14.. Annie M'. fcJmull Manilla Navigator. Electm Lock Dee". Siam 7.I71 LV22JJ 7,:i")0 .7,734 .',701 7,175 1,7J8 10,177 20,0 2 34,'J)7 41 ' ! 20,022 22,177 2(5,Cii7 3,200 Nov. 7.. j " 14.. " 21..' Forward, (bbls of fiour), KedDeer. Grasmcre Zouave Naworth Channel Light 120,501 2o,575 " m.. Dec. 11.. " 17.. " 18.. 1873. Jan. PL Feb. 1.. 44 8.. " 17.. 14 20.. March 8 " 10 22,400 17,170 21,755 41,800 31,051 Dvm 30,000 :J5,80 :-M),03fl ."12,1)8) 21,112 'J,-0j 8,495 0,625 14,880 11,57.? 1.25Q 8,:U2 9,045 7,705 3,828 Victoria Nyanza.... Whittinelon". Felix Mendelsohn1... Sarah Scott .. Roswcll Sprague41.... lUione Carribou Victoria ('roao " 11 Acrain, deep s-ea ve els never like to leave the salt water. Coasters are "willing to -steamboat it, bu 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 ot the bars of tlic 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 shin be lostundersuch ciicum btances, not a dollar of insurance could be collected on the ve"sel, 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. Now as to the safety ot the Columbia river. Jbixact data i wanting ot the -whole number of vessels that have crossed the bar, but pom 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 li&t of all the looses or wrecks that have occurred on the bar since 1S52, which year may be considered the beginning of wisdom as regards tne channels, currents, &c., on or about the bar. Rarks 3Iendora, and Mcrrithcw, lost January 12th, lS";j came in .without pilots, wincf failed after getting-in, and thev drifted ashore. Rark Oriole, lost September 19th, 1S33. Brig Detroit, lost Dee. 22, 1855, on outer spit. Goimr out at night. " Rark Dedemona, lost Dec. 31st, 1856. Gamem without a pilot, ran on sands six miles inside. Schooner "Woodpecker lotMay 10, 1S61, four miles inside. Bark Industry ,lost March 16, 1SG5, com ing in without a pilot. ' Bark"VY. B. Scranton, lost May 5thr, 1867. Only eight vessels in twenty-one vears. Eight out of 10,500. One out of 1,312, or one-thirteenth of one percent, of the ship ping coming into the river. Of thisimmber, tour were coming in without pilots. It futher appears that near ly every loss during the time under revciw; wasthe result, not of a roiigh har, but of the wind failing after tho vessel had crossed thus leaving her to drift on the sands. It Jilso seems tliflt each loss Of vessels coming in occurred when they-woro sailing agaiust thetide.-instoadofwithit. '' Therabthijgnptugtogo to their, rohef,v Vos6Jgf marked :thus() are kuoivniohav litrhtored moro tkan tho amount .creftiUdj above. of course there could he no rescue. It is safe to say that, had there heen a tug at hand, every vosel thus far lost on the bar might have heed saved. Since the placing of the tug Astoria upon thehar, or pilot grounds in 1809, there has heen no loss, and with proper care on the part of tug and pilots, there need he none for many years to come. t ThcbC facts -vvanant us in mak ing the hold assertion, that there is no harr cd 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 denned, 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. Aid 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. La-s trouble is experienced from fogs 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 aerial currents, resulting from peculiar plrysical conformations. The channel is distinctly bouyed 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 ibr rendering aid in case of accident on the bar. Gov ernment has also made an appropriation for a lighthouse at Point Aaams, and preparations are going forward for com mencing 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 cciven 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 a 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 tranportation. instead of foreign, or outside, aa is now aone. The question is now never raised about Sandy Hook bar, at the entrance pf !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. Jhit, to conclude, it is evident that the class of vessels required 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 i, a simple problem of whether Oregon will luild up and main tain a seaport town worthy of a great State, within her own holders, 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 jIr. "VanDusen, Mr. Hare-, Collector of Customs, and the Pilots, for valuable in formation. Respectfully submitted, J.H.D.GiAYt A. S. "Merger, AV.'W. Parkek, Committee. Astoria, May 31, 1873. lH COLUMBIA RIVER PILOTS!. P. JOHNSON, M. M. OILMAN, II. A. SNOW, G.REED, 1. E. PERCHIN. C. S. WHIGIIT, Agont. "0rKicK Corner of Main and Chonamus streets, Astoria, Uicgcn. Oregon Steam Nav- Co. KTOTICE Boats of tho 0. S. && JLl N. Company will leave As- s2SVN toria as follows : ES3S2Sr rOlt PORTLAND, and intermediate points Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday .Mornings, at 0 o'clock. Returning, leave Pertland: FOR ASTORIA, and intermediate points On Monday r Wednesday and Friday Mornings, at 0 o'clock. J. U. A1XSWOKTH, Pros The Steam Tug Varursa bJ "Will leave Astoria every TUESDAY and SATURDAY Morning, for FOJRTSTE YES'S, CAPE DISAPPOINTMENT, And UNITY, Carrying Mails, Passengers and Freight. 1S&- Other days 'of the week she will be ready to go any whero that businoss mayjustifv. Is prepared to lighter cargoes, freight, hay, cattle and wood. J . Jf . D. GRAY Agent, Astoria. Bdat BU; Y. W. BOUTON, Is pronared to build Eoats- of alL sizes and descriptions eithor of EASTERN or HOME MATERIALS, At Less tlian San Francisco Prices ! Freight deducted Orders loft at th o Astoiu vn Olfico, or addressed to the undersignod, will re ceive attention V W JJOUTON, Unity, V T 'KLASENINE PACKET. From and after July lstl$73,tho A No 1, fast sailing Sloop jx . BLUE RACER, dSkm. ' EUGENE BROCK.....: Mastor EOR 'CHARTER. Tho Fast Sailing . Sloop, IONE.. m CYRUS SHIVELl' ...f...:..ti............MasFor. . .UB-BOWintfoadinesstoUiarterlbr ) ' PIeflsurePArtic,ileishorft.senreE8. Headnartors at Case's Landing. ill ply regularly bUwocn Astoria and Klas- kamno, leaving every Tuesday and Saturday.' fiufrottice at tho Union House, Astoria. ASTORIA ADVERTISEMENTS. Bstablisliel in Astoria in 1S19. NEW GOODS. CHEAP GOODS., A. VAN DTTS-E'N,' "Wholesalo and Retail Dealer in GENERAL MERCHANDISE, Corner of Main and Chonamus streets, ASTORIA, OREGON. IS NOW OFFERING FOR SALE ONE OF tho largest and most complete assortments of (ioneral Merchandise over before brought to tho country, and to buyers For Cash will offer the Host Flattering Inducements In tho lino of DRY-GOODS, CLOTHING, HATS, AND CAPS, - BOOTS AND SHOES ? ' EANCY GOODS, LADIES' DRESS GOODS. GENTS' FURNISHINGS, A Complete Stoclc of Every Article, TOO 1TOMEROUS TO MENTION. KSGivo mo a call, and bo convinced that my goods are of tho best quality, and as cheap as can bo bought of any houso in tho State. A. VAN DUSEN. MRS. A. S. jMERCER, Teacher-of Prof. E. A. Bobbins' Ainerican Metliofl for Piano Forte Alse: Harmony andThoroughbase! srTho ONLY CONCISE SYSTEM" which will stand Artistic Criticism, and furnish tho material upon which overy educated Teacher can base their own peculiarities of instruction, -it presents in a now light, based upon Natu ral Laws, tbo art of Execution, and Science of Music BtgRooms at Residence, Astoria""u Dr. S. KiNSEY, DRUGGIST AND APOTHECARY, Astoria, Oregon. PHYSICIANS AND FAMILY PRESCRIP tions tilled from tho PUREST DRUGS, either at day or night. A full stock of "WINES AND LIQUORS; EOll MEDICAL USE, PATENT MEDICINES, TOILET ARTICLES, OILS BRUSHES, ETC., ik3 Ordors from the Country solicited, and carefully and promptly tilled. A. J. DONALDSON. GRANVILLE KKED. DONALDSON & REED, Dealers in all kinds of ERESH AND CURED MEATS, CANNED ERUITS, VEGETABLES. FRESH BEEF, PORK, MUTTON, YEAL, HAMS, BACON AND LARD, MESS REEF AND PORK, , fi" Constantly on hand. EcT Special attontion ffliid to supplying ships. Holladay's wharf, Astoria. H. B. PARKER, .Importer and Dealer in. Wines, Liquors, Cigars TOBACCO, GROCERIES, PROVISIONS, Etc., Etc. ttsnnolladay's "Wharf, Main street, Astoria. J. W. GEARHART,1: COMMISSION MSRCIIANT, Chenamus street. AstoriaS Wholcsalo and Retail Dealer in ay, urain A GENERAL ASSORTMENT of Groceries, FLOUR, BACON, HAMS, SHOU LDERS, LARD, BUTTER, CHEESE, EGGS,,Etc. l Motto" Small Profits on Cash Sales." .Con signments solicited. lar-4 Oregon Bakeryv, Main St., (Holladay's Wharf,) Astoria, Oregon. CHARLES BINDER, Propkietoe. iWlRESH BREAD, CAKES, PIES, CRACK JC ers and Pilot Bread, always on hanuT A RESTAURANT Is kopt in connection with the Bakery, whore moals can bo piocured at all jiours. nil' Oysters in evory Etylo in tho scaon.'tt: Astoria Bakery, Corner of Main and Cass stroots, Astoria. HENRY JACOBS Pbopkietor. READ, CRACKERS, PILOT BREAD. 1 Cakes.Groceries and Provisions of all kinds always on hand. Ship stores furnished. KL. Connected with tho establishment is a Reading Room. Cigars andLagerBoorserved. PETER H. FOX, Corner of Main and Jofforsoatroets,. Astoria. 11LOTnjNgrQELL;KINI)S;GUT AND J made to order. Cleaning andropairing. J H ASTORIA ADVERTISEMENTS. Headquarters ! JKeadquarters ! L f, CASE, "Wholesale arid Retail Doaler in Dij Goods, Clothing, Groceries, Provisions, Notions, And General Merchaise, WISHES TO ANNOUNCE TO THEPUB , - i1? Eiat,he.h,is a. vefy superior and well selected Stock df Goods m tho above line, be-' sides which may bo found in great variety, tho best quality of CPvOCKEEY, GLASSWARE, HATSANDCAPS, : ; BOOTS AND SfiOES, ' " ? BLANTIETS, ELANNBLS &c, "Which isl)oing offered .: Cheap FOR CASH or PROBTTCE ! OST Having had years of experience I think I know the wants of tho peoplot and as this stock is nearer complete, and embraces a GREATER VARIETY than any other stock in Clatsop county, I .will guaranteo that you will do as well, if not better,, by trading with" Ino than at any other establishment. rt Having reduced my expenses materially of late I propose to give my customers tho benefit of the reduction, and any plersomvho doubts whether 1 will sell as cheap as anyone FOR CASH! can be convinced by giving mo a call at Headquarters, "Case's Corner," Chena mus street, Astoria. L "W. 0. 8. N. ARRIOONI, Occident Hotel Block, Astoria, "Wholesale and Retail Dealer in r ' Choice Brand Liquors1!, The Finest in the Market CONSTANTLY ON HAND! Which will bo sold in lots to suit purchasers OCCIDENT HOTEL, S. N. ARRIGONI Propriktor. Astoria, Oregon. THE BEST FURNISHED, MOST CONYE nient and in every respectpopular hotel in Oregon. Owing to its location it is considered A Very Delightful Summer Resort. B3"Magnificont Suits of Rooms for families. Tho table is supplied with tho choicest dolica cies of the season. Wino and Billiard Room attached to tho Hotol. ' Baths! Hot, Cold, and Shower JBatlis ! AT OCCIDENT HOTEL, HAIR DRESSING SALOON.- "WM. Uhlenhart Proprietor." fff Special attention paid to LADIES' and CI11 Lbli KN 'S li AIR C UTT1N ii n-rt'Privato Entrance for Ladios"??tt U. S. MAIL AND EXPRESS. From Astoria to Clatsop Beach !' East HORSES! Good CARRIAGE! LEAVES ASTORIA ErERY TUESDAY, Thursday and Saturday Mornings. Arrive Same Mornings at tho ,,. OCEAN HOUSE, ;, l GRIMES HOUSE, . ' SUMMER HOUSE, - ' And SEA SIDE nOUSE. RETURNING Leaves those Houses every . Monday, Wodnesday and riday, connecting with steamer to Portland each way. JP3 Distance twenty-four miles, faro Sl'.0. 1 11. R. PARlvER, Proprietor. M. ASTORIA MEYERS' . "! BREWERY! AVING ALL THE MACHINERY NEC- cssary for first class work, skillful Lrower- and using nOno but the best quality of inateii als, tho Proprietor is prepared to Manufacture IAGER BEER ! In any quantity, from a Single Lottie to a RARREL, AbD PUT IT LiJ in good con dition for Shipment or Immediate use. iraini lies and kuupors of Public Houses promptly and regularly supplied. M ME Y En, .frop r Astoria Market. Cbenaml's Street ....Astoria. HOBSON & WARREN,. "Wholesale and Retail Doalers in all kfn'ds of Fresh and Cured Meats! Butter, Eggs, Cheese, Hams, Bacon and Lard! fi55" Canned Fruits and Vegetable? constant-, ly. on hand. Ships supplied at lowest rates. 1 . . H.A.SHAWc&SON, . .. House, Sign alnd SteaanTooatPaisiters - Astoria Orkg0' t " i B" Paper hanging aiia!'GlaziDg Doneto Order with Neatness and Dispatch. 'TtbWhe&'l88T. HeiBLlock.TANNEEY! vleinen.yebbr: :v - - - fiT ManuiHctnre sll kfa4 of Lalhwd fwf, u Baths! wh