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About Tri-weekly Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1873-1874 | View Entire Issue (July 10, 1873)
THE ASTORIAN, THURSDAY. :.-3.. "July 10, 1S73 COMMERCIAL STATISTICS? Jleport on iJie Harbor and Shipping of Vie p&'t of Astoria Facts Im portant tofltc Public. -At a mecfiaitff'Gf tJie Astoria'Cham bcr of Commerce, Jield in May last, at committee was appointed to pre pare statistics ofthe Harbor -and ship ping of tiie port of Astoria, for use at the Farmer's Convention. Following as the report in full. Your comxuittce to whom was referred the matter of harbor, n& shipping intelli gence, beg leave to offer the follewing: . The water front of A&tora, varying from a quarter of a mile to a mile in wwifli affords over hix miles of fcccure anchorage for the largest classed vcsfccls, in from bis: 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 commence re quire, about five 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 nortion 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 high tide. After crossing the bar, the depth holds still greater all the way to Astoria, so that any vessel able to cross can safely venture to our docks. About six miles above Astoria, at the com mencement of Cathlument 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 unost dangerous point on the river, and the .most skillful pilots never attempt its pas sage in the night, cither 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 Cathlamet bay is ten miles long up and down the river, and from seven to fourteen in width. Thus the waters of the rher are so spread out that they lose their force, and theincoming "tide washes the loose BancUnto 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 lil m. when high water occurred at 10 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 crs 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 mile below Rainier Carr'sWoodyard " " " above Kalania " 34 " .St Helen lTftfor " Mouth Wallamet Post Office 18 V " 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. That these are subject to a tax of 8 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 fake in iargo at nsiona. a iair average wouia De, say six hundred tons capacity. Expenses-would then be as follews: Pilotage 1(5 feet $4 up :....; S 64 R 1(5 "" " down- Hi Six days domurrage Si0 8H0 Towage up 17." " down -........ . 125 Total .-. $788 Equivalent to over four cents per bushel sn the cargo of 600 tons outward bound. This is but a fraction of the expense'to the' btate .growing out ot present arrangement of t&e aumi vals and denatures by sea. By-eurefal inspection of the shipping registers, we find the average draft of afl vessels now in use, ranging hetween 1,000 and 8300 tons, to be 20)? feet, and the average of all larger ones but 21 feet. W'Mle-a thousand ton hip is iull larger hancfin reach Portland,or any point above Astoria, loaded, on account of depth of water, a vessel of 3,000 tons can always eometo Astoria2 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 carry wheat from Astora to Liverpool for twenty-cents a hushel less than a 1,000 ton vessel can do from Portland, as the following figures fully demenstrate: w A ship of 3,000 tons is worth S120,000 xuiuruM, lib v t'uuauiuf iuut uionius average passage) f 4,000 Insurance at 12 cent. .'. 4,800 Depreciation at 10 cent-. .4,000 uepuun, uiroe mates, siewara,anu cook -S150, 75, Seo,50, $40, S40 i month... Twenty-four soanien $25 month Stores for voyage, 30 men at 50c i day. POUT CILVRGhS IN ASTORU. Pilotage and towage, 23 feet & SKL Stevedores' bill, 3,000 tons (g 40c Dunnage. Port stores, etc r ......... LIVKKPOOL OHARGKS, Pilotage and towage;23 feet 610.. Stevedbro's bill, tf.OOo tons 25c ,.. Harbor foes, tonnage dues and dockage Port stores , ..,.... 1,000 2,iO0 1,800 230 1,200 200 200 230 750 800 200 TWal expense..., .( S 22,400 Cgxtra:' ' ' , 7M,000 tons & SlSEi .:....'. $45,000 case8dediwte:..4.i..t..'-..'..-..22;4if: A siftpof 1,000 tons is worth...! .$ 00,003 Interest 5it 10 "ft cent , and Insurance & 12 teni., fpnr.inonths - 4,400 DiJwsomti4 at lQiient.;....i...K.CJ 2,000 Wages Y month, for Captain $150, two mte3$li;stcward550,and 12seamen' at $2 each 2,r40 Stores for hi men at oOc t day f !Mi0 POET CHARGES IX ASTORIA. t ' " Pilot.-ige and towage, 10 feet $10 100 Port otc :ind dunnage. 200 Stevedore's bill. 1,000 tons (a oOc 500 LIVKKPOOL! HAUGKS. Pilotage and towage, W feet (ft $10 190 jftcvectorc's bill (t2"jc, harbor due5?, ton- nagefiues ami "dockage (-0 Port stores u& 100 Total expenses, Contra : " ' 'i ....- $ 11,780 V,y 1.000 tons at $15 $15,000 Expenses deducted .". ,.... ll,7i0 Ualancevs,. a. $ 3,270 Or, a dividend of 19 per cent, on co&t of the larger bhip s against 5 per cent, on tliat of the smaller. Or, to reduce both to f per cent., the sJjOOO ton ship will carry wheat to Lteerpeol for over a third less than the 1,000 ton yesel; that is 29 ccnfcs against 45 cents ,pcr bushel. Add to this the cost as a.b"e figured, incidental to delays and river Jxpenscsof 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, Tiz: 5,000,000 bushels, gives the snug little sum ot 1,000,000 that thelarm 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 UVenty 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 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. m List of vessels exporting wheat from Oregon, showing amount ofbushels taken on at Astoria and Pertland: Crop of 1S72. 4 t mm 3 5 1S71 Ships. P3to fc"3 July 11.. Oct 1L. ' 14.. 44 14 Annie M. Sruull Manilla Navigator. Electro, Lock Dee. Siam. Forward, (bbls of fiour), Red Doer. Grasmere. Zouave Naworth f. Channel Light. 7,y7142,4li2 15,229 14.621 7,)0 7.7B4 3,794 7.175 1,798 10,177 20,052 34,697 2,505 8,405 9,625 14,880 11,573 1,250 8,312 9,095 20,622 22,177 14.. 7.. 36,353 Nov. 26,667 " 14. " 21.. 44 30.. Dec. 1L. 44 17.. 44 18.. 1873. Jan. KL Feb. 1.. 44 8.. " 17. 14 20. March 8 44 10 " 14 3.200 26,501 23,575 22,400 17,170 21,755 44,800 31,654 33,603 30,000 &5.6S0 30,aS9 32,683 24,342 Victoria Nyanza.... Whittington. Felix Mendelsohn.. Sarah Scott Roswell Spraguo.... lllione Carribou Victoria Cross. 7,705 3,828 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 fro.ni 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. "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 frpm 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 isacom- Elete list of all the losses or wrecks that ave occurred on the bar since 1852, which year may be considered the beginning of wisdom as regards the channels, currents, &c, on or about the bar. Barks j&endora, and Mcrrithew. lost January 12th? 1853, came iu without pilots, wind tailed after getting in, and they drifted ashore. Bark Oriole, lost September 19th, 1853. Brig Detroit, lost Dec. 22, 1855, on outer spit. Going out at night. Bark. Desdemona, lost Dec 31st, 1856. Came in without a pilot, ran on sands six miles inside. . " Schooner "Woodpecker lost May 10, 1861 tour miles inside. Bark Industry ,lost March 16, 1865, com ing in without a pilot. 13ark "W. B. Scranton, lost May 5th, 1867. Only eight vessels in twenty-one years. Eight out of 10,500. One out of 1,312, or one-thirteenth of one per cent, of the ship ping corning into the river. Of this number, four were comincr in without pilote. It ruther appears that near ly every lossdurinethe time-underreveiw. .wastheTesult, not of a rough bar, but of, tne wma iainng aner tne vessel naarossea thus leaving her to drift on the sands. It also seems that each loss of vessels coming in occurred when theywere sailing against the tide, instead of with it. There beingno tug to go to their relief, Vessels rnar!fe& thus (),aro known to h&7fi T lbfhtered imi feri the amount credit 'i J Ml "I of course' there cbulcl be" no rescue. It is safe to say that, had there been ri tug at handevervcvessel tosarlost-on thenar might have beed saved. 'Since tlie placing of the tug Astoria upon the bar, or pilot grounds m 1869, there has been no lo&s and with proper care on the.prtrt of tug and pilots, there need be none formany years to come. These facts warrant us in malt 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 sofaipa record Tlie currents and prevailing winds are such, and the land marks, ao well denned, that at, a time when it is un safe to cross the bar, vessels outside can readily keep.ofij 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 fogs at the Columbia, than either to the north or south, as they arevnot frequent, and are much less dense, owing, no doubt, tojhe presence of &rial currents, resulting -from peculiar physical 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 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 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 tlie actual pro rata of lots incident to a given harbor, when such data is to be had, or cruessed at from cen- 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 i&.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, 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 ofaU classes of vessels, yet there is live feet more water on the Columbia river bar at high tide, than there is on Sandy Hook at a corresponding stage of water. J3ut, to conclude, ijt 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, mus stop at the mouth of the Columbia river. Therefore, it is a simple problem of whether Oregon will build up nd main tain a seaport town worthy ot a great State, within her own borders, or whether such a place will be sustained on Pugut Sound, or California, at an annual coat 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. Gray, A. S. Merckb, W. TV. Parker, Committee. Astoria, May 31, 1873. COLUMBIA BIVEB PILOTS! P.JOHNSON, ' 'M.M.GILMAN, H. A. SNOW, G.REED, P. E. FERCHEN. C. S. WRIGHT, Agent. 8S3T Office Corner of Main and Chenamus streets, Astoria, Oregon. Oregon Steam Wav. 'Co "ITOTICE-Boats of the 0s& N. Comnanv will leave As toria as follows : FOR PORTLAND, and 4rit$rmediato points Tuesday, Thursday and Saturday Mornings, at G o'clock. Returning, leave Pertland: FOR ASTORIA, and intermediate points On Monday, Wednesday snd Friday 'Mornings, at U o'clock. J.aAINSWORTH.Pres The Steam Tog Varuna Will leave Astoria ovory TUESDAY and SATURDAY Morning, for PORT STEVENS, CAPE DISAPPOINTMENT And UNITY, Carryfng Mails, Passengers and Freight. K3- Other days of the week she will bo ready to.go anywhere that business may justify. Lj prepared to lighter cargoes, freight, hay, cattle and wood. J . H. D-GRA Y Agent, Astoria. Boat BUILDING! Y. "W. ROUTON, Is prepared to build Btfats of all sizes and descriptions either of EASTERN or HOME MATERIALS, At Less' than San Francisco Prices ! Freight deducted Orders left at the Astorian Office, or addressed to the uttdorsigned, will re oeivo attention V W BOUTON , Unity, Ar T JCLASKANINE PACKET. From and after July lstll78,the A No 1, fast sailing Sloop ' -gi BLUE RACER, , EUGENFi BROCK ..&.MM.v Master Will ply regularly between Astoria and Klas kanine, leaving every Tueraay and Saturday. BOffice.af the Union Rbu8K,' Astoria. EOR CHARTER. TheFastSlttns - Sloop, 3tONJl, ll. UXiiUS BHIVELY .-.. VVVV.tV,k. vMaster. ' Ts now in Readiness to Chartor for Pleasure Parties', 'Freight or Passcng sJfiii ASIOKIA ADVKj I "j&m&fcH .&? JtstaDiisiiea m NEW GOODS. CKM &OOD& ii A?M. j-m j&f mi ki DP Wholesale and Kotail Dealer In GENERAL MERCHANDISE, Corner of Main and Chonannw streofe, ASTORIA, OREGON 3 NOW OFFERING FOR SALE ONBOF the larcest and most comnloto asaortmeafs of General Merchandise over befoi & brought to the country, and to buyers For Cash will offer the Most Flattering litdiceinents In the lino of DRY-GOODS, CLOTHING, , HATS, A1STD CAPS, BOOTS AND SHOES EAcfSboDS, LADIES' DRESS GOODS, Mr3. GENTS' FURNISHINGS, A Cpmplete Stock of Every Article, , TOO NUMEROUS TO MENTION. CSS Give mo a call, and bo convinced that my goods aroof the best quality, and as cheap as can'bolbought of any house in the Stato. A. VAN UUSEN. itMRS. A. S. MERCER, Teacher of Prof. E. A. Robbins' American Method for Piano Forte Alse: Harmony and Thorough base! CSSThetONLY CONCISE SYSTEM which will stand Artistic Criticism, and furnish the material upon which overy educated Toachor can base their own peculiarities of instruction, it presents in, a now light, based upon Natu ral Laws, the art of Execution, and Science of Music Jfcg-Rooms at Residence, AstoriaT Dr. S. KINSEY, 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' EOR MEDICAL USE, PATENT MEDICINES, TOILET ARTICLES, OILS BRUSHES, ETC., BSb. Orders from tho Country solicited, and carofully and promptlyfillod. A. J. DONALDSON. GRANVILLE REED. DONALDSON & REED, Dealers in all kinds of PRESH AND CURED MEATS, CANNED PRUITS, VEGETABLES. FRESH BEEF, PORK", MUTTON, VEAL, HAMS, BACON ANDLARD, MESS BEEF AND PORK, n5. Constantly on hand.. 8" Special attention paid to.sapplying ships. Holladay's wharf, Astoria. H. B. PARKER, Lriporter and Dealer in Wines, Liquors, Cigars TOBACCO, GROCERIES, PROVISIONS, Etc., Etc. X Holladay's Wharf, Main streetJAiforia. J. W. GEARHARTf COMMISSION MERCHSt, Chenamus street, Astoria Wholesalo and Retail Dealer in , Hay, Grain and Pie! ! A GENERAL ASSORTMENT of Groceries, FLOUR, BACON, HAMS, '3m SHOULDERS. LARD, BUTTER CHEESE EUGS.JEtc Motto" Small ProHts on Cash Salo3.tCon- signmonts solicited. tf u.a Oregon Bakery.f Main St., (Holladay's Wharf,iAstoriaregon. CHARLES BINDER, PropriS. FRESH BREAD, CAKES, PIES, 6pLCK ors and Pilot Broad, always on handy A RESTAURANT Is kept in connection with tho Bakory, whore meals can bo procured at till hours. J&d" Oysters in ovory style in tho season.! Astoria Bakery, Corner of Main and Cass streets, Astoria. HENRY JACOBS.... Proprietor. READ, CRACKERS, PILOT BREAD, Cakes.Groceries and Provisions of all kinds always on hand. Ship stores furnibhod. t5 Connected with tho establishment is a Reading Room. Cigars and Lager Beer served. PETER H. FOX, MERCHANT JAILOR, ; Corner of Main and Jefferson streets, Astoria. CLOTHING OF ALL KINDSvCUT AND made to' ordeh Cleaning and repairing. I. r.r - ivijti . j. f- s tt sx as, jhw a a n i KBEEMEOT8 , STOM& tSMtEOTSf- F)ygj& t .V. , ..... J ' c. i - i; ,Hdqurtar J.w-HffcdqiiArtdr I Wholesale &n4 Retail Daalor in , ' bob; im tai JMdoBS, lotions A$yD t3E&fexAl, 3dCERCHANDiSE, , .lie selected sides which malo found in : best quality of rcat variety, f ho CROCKERY, GLASSWARE HAAKDCAl, .BOOTS-AND SHOES, !' ! BLANKETS, LAMoitS; &e. ,,, Which js being offeid k v.. . Cfeeap FOR CASH or PRODXICEi KHayfeg had years of espcrieifcTO I hink TknW tfie wants' of tho people, arid -as thip stock 5s nearer complete, and embraces a , GREA.TF.R, VARIETY than any other stock in Clatsop county I .will guarantee that you will do as well, if not better, by trading with meiuian ai any mer ostgDHsnnicnu JK?r Haying leducodsiy expenses matonally of late I propose to give my customers tho boriofit of tho reduction, -and any person who doubts whether I will sell as cheap asany ono FOR CASH I can, bo convinced by 'giving me-a call at Headquarters, " Case's Corner," Chena mus street, Astoria.. ' l.W.U. S. N. ARRIQONf, Occident Hotel Bloclc Astoria, ' Wholesale and Rotail Dealer in Choice Brand Liquors! Tlie Einest in the Market CONSTATNT'LTNInD! Which will bo sold in lots to suit purchasers OCCIDENT HOTEL, S. N. ARRIGONI. Proprietor. Astoria, Oregon ! ) THE BEST FURNISHED, MOST CONVE nientand inievery respect popular hotel in Oregon. Owing to its location it is considered AVerylDeliglitfal Summer "Resort. fi9F"Magnificont Suits of Rooms-for families. The table Is supplied with tho choicest delica cies of tho season. Wine and Billiard Boom attached to the HotoL Batlis! Baths! Hot, 'Cold, &3d Shower B&tlis ! AT OCCIDENT HOTEL. , HAIR DRESSING SALfJON. WaC Uhlenhart OPRIETOR. KSSpecial attention paid to LADIES' and CHILDREN'S HAIR CUTTING iSST Private Entrance for Ladies "8 U. S. MAIL AND EXPRESS. K . From Astoria ,to Clatsop Bead !' Past HORSES! Good CARRIAGE! LEAVES ASTORIA EVERY TUESDAY, Thursday and Saturday Mornings. . .- Arrive Samo Mwnings at tho ' OCEAN HOUSE ', GRIMES HOUSE, ;; SUMMER HOUSE,. And SEASIDE HOUSE. J RETURNINGs-rLeaves those Houses overy Monday, Wednesday and Friday, connecting with steamer to Portland each way. 82r Distance twenty-four miles, faro Si 50. H. 13. PARKER, Proprietor. M. MEYERS' ASTORIA BREWERY! 'AVING. ALL THE MACHINERY NEC- , essary for firstclass work.skilllul Brewers. and using none but tho best quality of materi als, tho Proprietor is prepared to Manufacture LAGER BEER ! In any quantity, from a Single Bottle to a BARREL, AND PUT IT UP in good con dition for Shipment or Immediate uso. J; ami lies and keepers of Public" Houses promptly and regularly supplied. M MEYER, i iopr Astoria Market.. Chenamus Street , Astokuu .HOBSON & WARREN,-' "Wholesalo and Retail Ddalors in all kindsof Fresh and Cured Meats! x Batter, Eggs, Cheese Mams. Bacon and Lard! Canned Ifruus and Vegetables. - Constantly on hand. 3i5hips supplied at lowest rates. H A. SHAW & SON, ' House, Sign and Steamboat Painters Astoria, Orkko.v. EoF-raper jtianging ana SiaznigissZ i . . . i. Dono to Order withNeatn eee andDispatch. staTHske41S6T. HemlOdk TANNERY! Ci'LEINENWEBER.X H. BROWN, j Proprtktosr. $fW Manufacture all kislg of Lsetiar " ... 'i.v Wra&482S'&S3r Stock Of Goo? TnTia Wr Wf T iw uuv.uiuu. vr i n