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About Tri-weekly Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1873-1874 | View Entire Issue (July 12, 1873)
31 fttZt THE ASTORIAN. SATURDAY July 12, 1873 COMMERCIAL STATISTICS. liejoort on the Harbor and Shipping of the port of Astoria Facts Im- poi'tant to the JPublie. At a meeting df 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 mntter 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 a mile in width affords over six milca of secure anchorage for the largest classed vessels, in from six 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 five consecutive miles of dock age may be cneapiy consuuciea irom ine 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-four feet of water at extreme low tide, and thirty-four at ordinary hicjh tide. After crossing the bar, the clepth 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 Cathlament bay is the hog's " back, a bar some quaiter 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, arid the most skillful pilots never attempt its pas sage in the night, either with sad 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 lose their force, and the incoming tide washes the loose sand into irregular bars that change their position from year to vear, 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 10 o'clock a. m. she would have to wait until 11 a. it. 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 veols now coming into the river is greater than formerly, the difficulties -are becoming more and-more apparent. There is the following named depths of Avater at the points mentioned at high tide: Walker's Island, 19 fLfor milo below Rainier Carr'sWoodyard above Kalaina " " V " St Helen 17ftfor3 " Mouth Wallamet Post Office 18 V, " Swan Island... 17 " The channel is often crooked, and diffi cult of navigation, and the bar at thfi mouth of the Willamette river is subject to annual denosts 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; j That these are subject to a tax of 8 per foot draft as pilotage; fiom four to ten days' delay, and $300 to 400 towage, over and above what they would have to pay, did lhe3r receive and take in cargo at Astoria. A fair average would be, say six hundred tons capacity. Expenses would then be as follews: Pilotage 1U feet $4 up S G4 " 16 ' " down .r..... W Six days demurrage $U0....;..... 3(50 Towage up :..!."... 17.3 " - down :.....;..;.... 12o Total....- .'. !...., ....... S7SS Equivalent to over four cents per bushel on the cargo of 600tons outward bound. This is but a- traction dfthe expense to the State growing out of present arrangement oi tnonrnvaivana aepamres oy sea. By curefdl inspection, of the, shipping Tecisters, wrelinct the averacce di-aitotaitJ vessels now in use, rangin :. between 1.000 and 1,200 tons, to be 20 feet, and the average of all larger ones but 21J 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 for freights. A ship of 3,000tons can carry wheat from Astora to Liverpool for twenty cents a hushel less than a-1,000 ton .v.essel can do from Portland, as the following figures fully demenstrate: A ship of 3.00Q tons is worth 120,000 Interest, atlU -p cent, for four months (average passage) 4,000 Insurance at lis -el conu 4,ouu Depreciation at 10 i cent 4,000 Captain, three mates, steward, and cook $130, S7o, StH), SoO, $40, S40 month... 1,660 Twenty-four seamen S25 1 month 2,400 Stores for voyage, 30 men at 50c i day, 1,800 PORT CHARGKS IN ASTORIA. Pilotage and towage, 23 feet S10. 230 Stevedores' bill, 3.U00 tons 40c 1,200 Dunnage. 2U0 200 Port stores, etc .. LIVERPOOL CHARGES. Pilotage and towage, 23 feet S10.. Stevedore's bill, 3,000 tons 25c Harbor fees, tonnage dues and dockago Port stores 230 750 800 200 .jDotal expense $ 22,490 Contra:- 3,000 tons $15 $45,000 orises deducted. 22,490. jgftil&Ofty.ytMitMMM''' v 22,510 A ship of 1,000 Ions is worth .S (50,000 Interest at 10 cent., and lnsuranco & 'l cent., four months .?. - Depreciation atlO'-o cent ...........;. Wngc3 "fB iuonth, for Captain SloO, two mates Si:i",steward$"U,and 12 seamen at Si each Stores for Hi men at Mc V day l'OUT CirUUJKS IX ASTORIA. Pilotage and towage, 1U feet $10 Port stores ami dunnage Stevedore's bill. 1,000 tons (& 50c i.ivKitroor. niAKGKS. Pilotage and towage, W feet (3 10 Stevedored bill t"'-")c, harbor dues, ton nage dues and dockage Port stores 4,400 2,000 2,540 yoo 100 200 500 1J0 (550 100 Total expenses S 11,780 Centra: By 1,000 tons ntSlo $15,000 Expenses deducted Il,7b0 .balance $ 3,270 Or, a dividend of 19 per cent, on cost of the larger srhip as against 5 per cent, on that of the smaller. Or, to reduce both to 5 per cent., the o,000 ton ship will carry wheat to Liverpool for over a thiid less than the 1,000 ton vc⪙ that is 29 cente against 45 cents per bushel. Add to this the coat a. above figiued, incidental to delays and river expenses of 4 cents per bu.-hel, and it gives a net gain of 20 cents per bu-hel in favor of Astoria as an ex polling harbor, and the employment of .-uch 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 snuff little sum of $1,000,000 that the form er should have for his labor. The above firuies are all substantially correct, and tell their own story. It may be said that several large vessels have loaded at Portland, but the Custom llouserecoids show that of the twenty vessels named below, comprising all the vessels of any size that have sailed from the liver with wheat, from a fourth to over one-half of the caro. was brought down to Astoria in steainboats, and here put on board. And yet these records are more favoiable to the city of Portland than the facts justify, for the reason that in a number of instances two or three bundled tons was cleared fiom the Port land Custom Houe a 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 ot bushels taken on at Astoria and Pei'tland: ' C'Ror op 1872. . t2 ;-. "-' e 1871 Ships. p P5 ' o j fc-g fesau ,1 ul v 1 1.. :nnie M. SmulP 7.'71142,4i2 Oct. II. Manilla .'. 15.22' 14.C21 " 1'.. Navigator. 7.:!?' ib2 II.. Elect; a 7.7:i C2.177 " J L Lock Dee. :i.7 M 0J... . : Nov. 7..iSiain 7.175 25,m7 4 II. FoMvnid,(bblsoffiour). 1.7 "S :,-') " 'JiJlicdDcCi- 10,177 2 5.101 44 ?.. nrnmcic -l.0V2'2:iV75 Dec 11.. Zouave .J!.'5.7 22,"l.l " 17.. Naworth 2,'" 17.170 "ilS- Channel Light 8,4"5 21,755 Ian'. "HL Victoria Nyana. 9,(525 44.800 Feb. J.. Whittinston. 14,S80 31,054 44 8.. Felix xM endcl&ohn 11.573 .Tl.i.lH 44 17.. Sarah Scott 1,2"0 30,000 44 20.. Roswell Spraguo 8,312 35,r.S0 Match b lllione O.Oi'o .,0,0&, " 10 Canibou 7,705 ;)2,'iS3 " 14 Victoria Cros 3,828 24,012 Again, (Kp bca ve els never like to leave the talt water. Coasters are 'willing to bteamhoat it, hut laige vessels avoid steamboat grounds. In fact, the under writers do not allow deep sea vessels to venture from their natuial element at will. The striking of a vessel on any of the bars of the i lver, 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 he lo'-tnnderuch circumstances-, not a dollar of insurance could "be collected on the veel, and if the ownqrs were responsible, the underwriters upon the cargo would hold them for the value thereof. Hence large vesspls will never he induced to undertake the navigation, of the bars of tlie Columbia above Astoria. m Now as to the safety of the Columbia liver. Exact data is wanting of tho whole number of vessels that have crossed the bar, hut from-certain periods during which the data is complete, we J are enabled to approximate veiy closely, and set the TUllYlllfir dnwn of on mrnvnrA -kVfltTn 1mn dred a.year jor the iast twentv-one vears. AT-onnp isr,9. ti fMWnnrr ; nw- or bince iooz. xne loiiowmg is a com rjlete IKt of all the losses or -wrecks that have occurred on the "bar since 1S52, which year may he considered the beginning of wisdom as regards the channels-, currents, &c, on or about the bar. " Barks 3Iendora, and HerritheWj lost January 12th, 1S53,V came in 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 Dejdemena: lost D.ec. 31st, 1856. Came in without a pilot, ran on sands six miles inside. Schooner "Woodpecker lost May 10, 1861, four miles inside. Bark Industry, lost March 16, 1865, com ing in without a pilot. BarkW. B. Scranton, lo3t May 5th, 1867. Only eight vessels in twenty-one years. Eight out ot 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 mther appears that near ly every loss during the time under reveiw, was the result, not of a rough "bar, but of ine winu. iauing alter tne vessel naa cros'sea thus leaving her to drift on the sands. It also seems tnat each loss of vessels coming in occurred when thev were sailing against the tide, instead of with it. There being no tug to go to their relief, Vessels marked thtfs () are known to have j lightered nftre tks.ii who Rmount credited j above. of course there could be no rescue. It is safe to say that, had there been a tue at hand, every vessel thus far lost on the Thar might have heed saved.. Since the placing of the tug Astoria upon, the bar, or pilot grounds in 1809, there lias cen no loss, and with proper care on the part of tug and pilots, there need be none for many years to come. Thee facts, warrant us in mak ing the bold assertion, that there is nobarr ed harbor known to commerce, where the percentage of loss is somall; andfeWj if any, open harbors that can show so iair 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 oft 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 foes at the Columbia, than cither to the north or south, as they are not frequent, and are much less dense, owing, no doubt, to the presence of atrial 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 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 a fair rate, much less than is now imposed. Another impoitant 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 Sandv ITook bar, at the entrance of !New York harbor, being too shallow and rough for the extensive and profitable employment of ah classes of vessel:;, 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 classtof vessels required to carry the suplus pro ducts of Oregon to a foreign market, . at a price consistent wan uie cost oi production, must stop at the mouth of the Columbia river. Therefore, it is asimple 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. VaniDusen, Mr. Hare, Collector of Customs, and the Pilots, for valuable in formation. Respectfully submitted, J.H.D.GRAT, A. S. Mercer, TV.W. Parker, Committee. Astoria, May 31, 1S73. COLUMBIA RIVER PILOTS! P. JOHtfSO: , H. A. SNO, P.JE.EERCHEN. M. M. GILMAN, ' i ' G.REED, t , ' . C.S. WRIGHT, Agent. KW Office Corner of Main and Chonamus streets, Astoria, Oregon. , - 9 f Oregon Steam Nav. Co "TTOTJCE Bpats of the 0.,S,t s.1 x . company wm,ieavo iis toria as" follbws" : v F0tt0RTLAND; and intermodiafo points Tuesday, Thursday land Saturday .Mornings, at U o'clock. Returning, leave Pertland: FOll ASTORIA, and'Intormediato points On Monday, Wednesday and Friday Mornings, at 0 o'clock. ' J. C. A1NS WORTH , Pies Tho Steam Twg Var.uha "Will leave Astoria evory TUESDAY and -S-ATUKDAT ?4- " Morning, for OETSTEESS;- , . CAPJE DISAPPOINTMENT,' . .... u . And UNITY, Carrying Mails, passengers and Freight. .- , U3k Other days of thowecksho will bo ready to go anywhero-that business may justify. Is prepared to lighter cargoes, freight, hay, cattlp and wood. . J. H. 1). GKAY Agent, Asteria: f u1; y. w. BOUTON, Is prepared to build Doats of all sizes and descrintions-either of EASTERN or HOME MATERIALS, AttLess tlian San Francisco Prices ! Freight deducted Orders loft at tho AstoriAn Office, or addressed io tho undersigned, willTe ceivo attention V- W BOUTON , Unity, Y ' KLASICANINE PACKET. From and aftor July lstl873,tho A No 1, fast sailing oioop BLUE RACER, EUGENE BROCK ?. Master AVill ply regularly between Astoria and Klas Kanino, leaving every Tuesday and Saturday. EgOfficQttt tho Union Housi, Astoria. FOR CHARTER. Tho Fast Sailing - Sloop, IONE, ;. R. CYRUS SHIVELY .v.-.Mt&tor. Is now in readiness to Charter for Pleasure Parties, Ereight or Passengers ! Headquarters xt Cast's Landing. i pi.liTit't. - -'-'f IASTOEIA AEVERTISEMeWs, t Established in Astoflaj, 'jji tLSDs NEW GOODS.- -CHEAP GOODS. A.TATSr BITS ET& Wholesale and Retail Dealer in GENERAL MERCHANDISE, Corner of Main and Chonamus streots, ASTORIA, OREGON. IS NOW OFFERING FOR SALE ONE OF the largest nnd most complete assortments of General Merchandise over before brought to the country, and to buyors For Cash will offer the Host Flattering Inducements In the 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 NUMEROUS TO MENTION. BSTGivG 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. IVIES. A. S. MERCEK, Teacher of Prof. E. A. Bobbins' American Metliofl for Piano Forte - Alse: Harmony andThoroughbaso! EST Tho ONLY CONCISE SYSTEM which will stand Artistic Criticism, and furnish tho material upon which every educated Teacher can base their own peculiarities of instruction, it presents in a new light, based upon Natu ral Laws, tho art of Execution, and Science of Music ftS'llooms at Residence Astoria"5Ki Dr. 8. 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, TULLJfiT -AKTIULES, OILS BRUSHES, ETC)., B3U Orders from tho Country solicited, and carofully and promptly filled. ' A. J. DOXALDSOX. 'GRANVILLE REED. DONALDSON & REED, Dealors in all kinds of FRESH AND CURED. MEATS, CANNED ERUITS, VEGETABLES. iw. FRESH BEEF, PORK, MUTTON, VEAL, HAMS, BACON AND LARD, MESS BEEF, AND PORK, JKS" Constantly on hand. GST Spocial attention paid to supplying ships. Holladay's wharf, Astoria. , H. B. PARKER, .Importer and "Dealer in. Wines, Liquors, Cigars TOBACCO, GROCERIES, PROVISIONS, Etc., Etc. B3T Holladay's "Wharf, Main street, Astoria. J. W. GEAR HARpgg COMMISSION MERCHANT, Chenamus street, Astona? UP'' Wholosalo and Retail Dealor;in Hay, Grain and FJd ! A GENERAL ASSORTMENT of Groceries, 1'LOUR, BACON, HAMS, )T4 SHOULDERS, LARD, BUTTER CHEESE, EGGSptc Motto" Small Profits on Cash SalojCon signment3 solicited '&mR tf Oregon ttc1rcvi 23-'"" . -, . Main St., (Holladay's AVharf,) AstoriaTOregon. CHARLES BINDER, Proprietor RESH BREAD, CAKES, PIESCRACK X crs and Pilot Bread, always on hand.- A RESTAURANT - Is kept in connection with tho Bakory, whoro meals can bo procured at all hours. K3 Oysters in every stylo in the soason.35a Astoria Bakery, Corner of Main and Cass stroots, Astoria. HENRY JACOBS-.-. Proprietor. READ, CRACKERS, PILOT BREAD, 1 Cakos.Grocories and Provisions of all kinds always on hand. Ship stores furnished. &, Connected with tho establishment is a Reading Room. Cigars and Lager Beer served. PETER H. FOX, . MERCHANT TAILOR, ornoT of Main and Jefferson stro'otsj Astoria. CLOTHING OF miflo to'brder. ALL KINDS CUT AND Cleaning ani repairing. I ' I v? .TSTOEiSr SdveItiseiJeeT Headquarters ! - Headquarters ! I. ' W. CASE, "Wholesale and RotailDealor in Dry Eoods, Clothing, Groceries, Protons, loiions, AlTD GE2TEBAL IMeBCHAKDISE, WISHES TO ANNOUNCE TO THE PUB he that ho has a very superior and well selected Stock of Goods in tho above line, be sides which may bo found in great variety, tho best quality of CKOCKERY, GLASSWARE, HATS AND CAPS, BOOTS AND SHOES, . BANEJiTS, FLANNELS &c, "Which is being offered ......... Cheap FOR CASH or PRODUCE! BST Having had years of experience T think I know tho wants of the people, and as this stock is nearer complete, and embraces a GJREATER VARIETY than any other stock in Clatsop county, I will euaranteo that you will do as well, if not better; by trading with me than at any other establishment. esr Having reduced my expenses materially of late I propose to givo my customers tho benefit of the reduction, and any person who doubts whether I will sell as cheap as any on'o 1'OR CASH! can be convinced by givingmo a call at Headquarters, " Case's Corner," Chona mus street, Astoria. I. "W C. S. N. ARRI&ONI, Occident Hotel Bloqli, Astoria, "Wholesale and Retail Dealer in Choice Brand Liquors! The Einest 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 FURNISHED, MOST CONVE nient and in every respect popular hotel in Orogon. Owing to its location it is considered A Very Delightful Summer Resort. BSTMagnificent Suits of Rooms forfamilies. The table is supplied with tho choicest delica cies of tho season. "Wino and Billiard Room attached to tho Hotel. Baths! Hot, Cold, and Shower Baths ! ' AT OCCIDENT HOTED, HATR DRESSIN.&SALOON. "WM. TJhlenhakt Proprietor. B" Special attention paid to LADIES' CHILDREN'S HAIR CUTTING ti&T Private Entrance for Ladies . and U. S. MAIL AND EXPRESS. " Irom Astoria to Clafsop Beacli ! , East HORSES ! Good CARRIAGE ! LEAVES ASTORIA EVERX TUESDAY, Thursday and Saturday Mornings. Arrive Same Mornings at tho " OCEAN HOUSE,' ' '. .", GRIMES HOUSE, u.. " SUMMER SOUSE, . .m I - 'And SEA SIDE HOUSE. RETURNINGLeavos those Houses every Monday, Wednesday an hriday, connecting with -steam or. to Portland ea6h way. ' ( 5TDistanco twenty-four miles, faro SI 50. H. B. PARKER; Proprietor. ' ' ' 'M. MEYERS7 ASTORIA BREWERY1! HAVING ALL' THE MACHINERY NEC ' cssary for first class work, skillful Brewers and using none but the best quality of materi als, tho Proprietor is prepared, to ' fclrfnufacture IMAGER BEER I ' In any quantity; from u Single Bottle, to a BARREL, AiSD ,PUT IT UP in good con dition for Shipment or Immediate use. h ami lies and keopors of Public Houses promptly and regularly supplied. M MEYER, 'PrXiirr Astoria Market 'Chexamtjs Street .".Astoria. ,HOl!sON:& WARREN, "Wholesale and Retail Dealers in all kinds of Fresh and Cured Meats! JButter, Eggs, Cheese', ' Maim, Bacpn and Lard! Canned Fruits and Vegetables, - Constantly on hand. -nsy Ships supplied at lowest ratos. H. A. SHAW & SON, Houso, Sign and Steamboat Painters A stoma Orkgo.n. JBST Paper Hanging and Glazing a Done to Order with Neatness and Dispatch. Established 1867. Hemlock TANNERY! C.LE1NENWEBER.1 -H. BROWN, JPRrKiKTORS. W Manufacture all itiada of Leaihur &a Baths! "frsssKsr