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About Tri-weekly Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1873-1874 | View Entire Issue (July 15, 1873)
(31 T-ijm,A' 1 ww m" hi"' atmtwrm IMri t B-fr. jrc -, ve"n.'1-r"?' m mmmt ' j -t - I..LJ1 LJIIl- THE ASTORIAE. .TUESDAY JTJEY15, 1873 i a am COMMERCIAL STATISTICS. Report on the Harbor and Sliipping of the port of Astoria Facte Im 'portant.to the 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 Astoi ia, for use at the FiirrneVs Convention. Following is the report in full. Your committee to whom was referred the matter 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 affordb over bix miles of fcceure anchorage for the largest classed vessels, in irom. 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 ajge may be cheaply constiucted from the river bank to the edge of the channel, piling being necessary but a short dis tance at any given point. The central jpoition of the harbor is ust twelve miles inside the Columbia river bar, on which there is twenty-four feet of water at extieme low tide, and thirty-four "at ordinary hicjh tide. Alter crossing the bar, the depth holds btill greater an 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 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 ot shifting sand, deposited by the meeting of the tide with the annual freshets of the river, as Cathlametbayis ten miles long up and do"yn 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 sandjnto 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 arriye here, say at 12 21. 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 3-ears, 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, in ftfor mile below Rainier Can's Woodyard " " " abovo " Kalama " " M " - St Helen 17ftfor " Mouth Wallainet- . . u . " . . 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 take in cargo at Astoria. A fair average would be, say six hundred tons capacity. Expenses would then be as follews: Pilotage 10 feet 54 up S 04 R ltf .. .. aown- (J4 Six days demurrage & $00 3(50 Towage up .. 175 down 125 Total $7SS Equivalent to over four cents per bushel on the cargo of 600 tons outwaid bound. This is but a fraction of the expense to the State growing out of present arrangement of the arrivals anddepatures by sea. By cureful inspection of the shipping registers, we find the average draft of aU vessels now in use, ranging between 1,000 and 1,200 tons, to be 20K feet, and the average of all larger ones but 2114 feet. "While a thousand ton ship is full larger thnn (inn ranch POrtland.or anvnnint nbnvn 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 ore in" small vessels, while from hcre'tfte 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 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 u $120,000 Interest, at 10 ? cent for four months (average passage) - r 4,000 Insurance at.12 i cent ,.... 4,b00 Depreciation at 10 i cent 4,000 Captain, three mates, steward, and cook $150, S75, $00, 30, $4Qr $40 J month... 1,000 Twenty-four seamen $25 -month 2,400 Stores for voyage, 30 men at 50c "ft day, 1,800 POUT CHARGES Uf ASTUSU. Pilotage and towage, 21 feet $10. 230 Stevedores' bill, 3,000 tons (2, 40c :..- 1,200 Dunnage -.. - - Port stores, etc..,.-.. ......... vu LIVERPOOL CHARGES. Pilotage and towage, 23 feet $10.. 230 Stevedore's bill, 8,000 tons 2oc..... o0 H&rbpr foes, tonnage daes and dockage 800 Port stores t JW Total expense 22,490 Bys,oootons$n.::: "vvrS' r Sosesdeductei,..Uu.V.:w'r?'-nTH - Contra 5- A ship of 1,000 ton3 is worth... $ 00,000 interest at 10 g cet, and Insurance & . ' 12 'Acentrtour months z.JS.& $ &,0O Depreciation at 1 r cent 2,000 Wages V month; foi Captain 150, two , mates $i:5,steward S50,and 12 seamen at $25 each ,. 2,540 Stores for 10 jneu at 5lc r day . ' 900 POP.' t,HAftltS I vSTORI. Pilotage and iowage, in feel . $10 190 Port store aiiu Tlunnnsre Stevedo e'a oill. J,UU0 ton- .Vc J. MtPOOL t'H tRGES. Pilotage and towage, I feel .$10 Stovedoic' bill( Jc, harbor dues, ton nage dues and dockage Port 5lOiC3...t 500 100 050 100 Total expenses ..-$ 11,780 Cenikc: -" By 1,0"0 tons at $15 $15,000 . Expenses deducted 11,760 JJatonco $ 3,270 Or, a dividend of 19 per cent, on cost of the larger ship as against 5 per cent, on that of the smaller. Or, to reduce hoth to 5 per cent., the 3,000 ton ship will carry wheat to Liverpool for over a third 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 iavor 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 1873. viz: 5.000.000 bushels, cives the snug little sum of 1,000,000 that the&rm er should have for his labor. The above figures are all substantially correct, and tell their own story. It may bo 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 bailed 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 favoiable 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 Jbeing on board when in fact it was in lighter and steam ers alongside of the ship, and towed down to Astona before being placed on the ves sel. List of vessels exnortinrr wheat from Oregon, showing amount otuushels taken I on at Astoria and Pertland: Crop pF lb72. 1S71 Ships. II p5 July 11 .Annie M. Smull 7.'i7l'42,li2 Uet 1 1 . U. " 11. tv. 7.. " 11 tt j " .' Dec. II.. u 17.. " IS. Manilla '..'.. Xangnlnr....'.. Elect a Lock Dee..... 1 ,'!- 7,:;")') 7,7.?4 JL?.'t 11.021 2Dj'.22 221177 S(j,J31 2'j,il7 ''fain 7,175 Fot waid, Mil's offiourU 1,7!'$ ,.'i"j heu L'ecr. Gra-mcre Zouave !NTamn th Channel Light "10.177 W.l'jl 20,Ur2i2375 fS2,4')0 T7170 8, W5 21,733 1871. Jan. Vk. Feb. I.. " $.. " 17.. " 20 Maich in " 14 Victoria. Ts'yanza.... U hitlinglon. Fcli Mendelsohn.. Saiah Scott lveli Si iraguo ...". Illione Canibou ictoiia Cross. 9,2j 1 l,b80 11 ,374 1,230 8,112 U,0'J3 7,703 3.S28 44.S00 "0,000 A5,"S0 30O3! 32,0S3 24.312 Again, deep aea vessels never likei to leave Hie salt water. Coasters are willinsr tostoaml jat it, but large vessels avoid steamboat grounds. In Tact, the under writers do not allow deep sea vessels to venture Irom their natuial element at will. . The striking of a vessel on any of the bars of the river, even if ho 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 uch circum stances, not a dollar of insurance could be collected on the vessel, and if tho 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 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 nave occurred on the bar since 1852, which year may be considered the beginning of wisaom as regards the channels, currents, &c, on or about the bar. Barks Mendora. and Merrithew2 lost January 12th, 1853, came in without pilots, wind Jailed after getting in, and they drifted ashore. Bark Oriole, lost September 19th,. 1853. Brig Detroit, lost Dec. 22, 1855, on outer snit. Goin er out at nicrht. Bark Desdemona, Tost Dec. 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. Bark "W. B. Scranton, lost 3Iay 5th, 1867. v 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 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 the wind failing after the vessel had crossed thus-leaving her to drift on the sands. v It also seems that each loss of vessels coming in occurred when theere bailing against the tide, instead of with it. There being no tug tpgo to their relief, Vessels mifrked thus () -are known to have lightered 'nioro tban .the, ampuat credited aov.' ' of course there could be no rescue. It is safe to say that, had there been a turat hand, every vessel thus far lost on thenar might have beed saved. Since fhe placing of the tug Astoria upon ihebar, or pilot gj-ounds in 1869, therehasbeennoloss, and with proper care on i he part of tug and pilots, there need be none for many years to come. These facta warrant u& in mak ing the bold asseilion, that there is no barr ed harbor known to commerce, where the pe cent'age ofloss i-j -omall; 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 13 un safe to cro&s the bar, vessels Outside can readily keen off. ana wait a suitable time to enter. And there is good holding grounds but a few hundred rods inside for vessels bound out to atfehor, 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 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, wheref 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 or 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 given harbor, when such datais 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, as is now done. The question is now never raised about Sandy Hook baratthe entrance of New York harbor, being too shallow and rough for the extensive and profitable employment of all 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. But, 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 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, Ir. Hare, Collector of Customs, and the Pilots, ibr valuable in formation. Respectfully submitted, J. H. D. GRAYt A. S. Mercer, W. W. Parker, Committee. Astoria, May 31, 1S73. COLUMBIA RIVER PILOTS! P.' JOHNSON, n. A. SNOW, P. E. FERCHEN. M.M.GILaUN, G.REED, C.S. WRIGHT, Agent. tsw Office Corner of Main and Chenamus streets, Astoria, Oregon. Oregon Steam Nav. Co. TCrOTICE Boats of the 0. S. N. Company will leave As toria as follows : FOR 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 6 o'clock. J. C. A1NSWORTH, Pros The Steam Tug Yaruna Will leave Astoria evorv TUESDAY and SATURDAY Morning, for PORT STEVENS, CAPE DISAPPOINTMENT, . And "UNITY, Carrying Mails, Passengers and Freight. D3- Other days of tho week she will, bo ready to go anj'whero that business may justify. Is prepared to lighter cargoes, freight, hay, cattle and wood. J. H. D. G11A1' Agent, Astoria. Boat BUILDING! V. "W. BOUTON, ' Is prepared to build Roats of all sizes and descriptions oithor of EASTERN or HOME MATERIALS, At Xess than San Francisco Prices I Freight deducted Orders left at tho Astoria Office, or addressed to tho undersigned, will re ceive attention V W ROUTON, Unity, W T E&A&KANINE PACKET. From "and after July lstl?T3,tho A No 1, fast sailing Sloop 7x BLUE RACER, . EUGENE BROCK .-;.- .Master Will ply regularly between Astoria and Klas Kamno, leaving every Tuesday and Saturday. figr Office at tho Union House, Astoria. JFOR CHARTER. The Fast Sailing Sloop, IONE, - R. CYRUS SHiyEL Y .-.-. ..,....Mastorv Is 'now in-readiness Chartor fnr Pleasftre Parties, PreiffHt or Passengers J iioattquarters'at tlasoTs Landing. I BOyMk ASTORI A ADVERTISEMENTS, EstablislieilJuAtOciK ia 1349. NEW SQOPS;. r CHAP GOODS. A.ti'iTDtrsfiir; Wholesale and Retail Doaler in GENERAL MERCHANDISE, Corner of Main and Chenamus streets,. ASTORIAj OREGON IS NOW OFFERING FOR SALE ONE OF the largest and most complete assortments of General Merchandise ever before brousht to the country, and to buyers For Cash will offer the Most flattering Inducement In the line of DRY-'GOODS. CLOTHING, HATS, AND CAPS, ' BOOTS AND SHOES EANCYGOODS, LADIES' DRESS GOOD&, GENTS' EURNISHlftlGS. A Complete Stock of Every Article. TOO NUMEROUS TO MENTION. BSf Givo mo a call, and be convinced that my goods are of tho best quality, and as cheap as can be bought of any house in the State. ' A. VAN DUSEN. MRS. A. S. MERCER, Teacher of Prof. E. A. RoBBrNs, ' . American MBthofl for Piano Forte -Alse: Harmony andThoroughbase! . AST The 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 now light, based upon Natu ral Laws, the art of Execution, and Science x)f Music JS"llooms at Residence, Astoriartt Dr. S. KINSEY, DRUGGIST ASTD APOTHECARY Astoria, Oregon. PHYSICIANS AND FAMILY PRESCRIP tions filled from tho PUREST DRUGS, either at day or night A fulLstock of WINES AND LIQUORS, EOR 3IEDICAL USE, PATENT MEDICINES, TOILET ARTICLES, OILSBRUSHES, ETC., 13. Orders from the Country solicited, and carefully and promptly filled A.J.DONALDSON. ' GRANVILLE REED. DONALDSON & REED, Dealors in all kinds of -1. ERESH AND CURED-MEATS, CANNED ERUITS, VEGETABLES. FRESH BEEF, PORK, MUTTON. VEAL, HAMS, BACON "AND LARD, MESS BEEAND PORK, A&5 Constantly on hand. - H VST" Special attention paid to supplying ships. Holladay's wharf, Astoria. . H. B. PARKER, .Importer and Dealer in.. Wines, Liquors, Cigars TOBACCO, GROCERIES, PROVISIONS, Etc., Etc. CST Holladay's Wharf, Main street, Astoria. J. W. GEARHART, COMMISSION" MERCHANT, Chenamus street, Astoria I, . Wholosalo and Retail Dealer in Hay, Grain and Feed ! A GENERAL ASSORTMENT of Grocories, FLOUR, BACON, HAMS, SHOULDERS, LARD, BUTTER, CHEESE, EGGS, Etc. Motto" Small Profits on Cask Sales." Con signments solicited. tf Oregon Bakery Main St., (Holladay's Wharf,) Astoria, Oregon. CHARLES BINDER, Proprietor. FRESH BREAD, CAKES. PIES, CRACK ersand Pilot Bread, always on hand. ?f A RESTAURANT V vvd3) Is kept in 'connection with the Bakery, whore meals can bo procured at all hours. KMT Oysters in every stylo in tho season.! Astoria Bakery, Corner of Main and Cass streots, Astoria. HENRY JACOBS..-. ..-.-.Proprietor. READ, CRACKERS, PILOT BREAD. Cakos.Groceries and Provisions of aU kinds always gn hand, bhip stores furnished. res- Connected with the establishment is a Reading Rooin. Cigars and Lager Beer served. 3PETERH. FOX, MERCHANT TAILOR, Corner; of' Main and Jefferfeon streets', Astoria. CLOTHING OF Afi L "KINDS1 CUT1 AND mrfdo torder. Cleaning and r,epairiiHr. . jl .r x a u i. u a s. - - ASTORIA ADVERTISEMENTS. Heaciqfters !' j 1 i Wholesale and-Rt&ul Dealer In 'f . ' . Df Goods, Clothing, Crai&-'PrM$!oa$, Koiions,' L Ainr Geitejral 3Irchandise, WISHES TO ANNOUNCE -TO oSe'PUB lic that he has a, very superior and well selected Stock of Goods in'tho abovejino, fee- t-iuus wmuu muy uu iuuuu in great variety, ino best quality of . . ' 1 CROCKERY, GLASSVAE, "l hats A3st Caps , BOOTS AND SHOES, . ,.' BLANKETS, EliAETNELS, &c., .w Which is being offered i.uu.i. Cheap FOR CASH or PRODUCE'! r - ' - - - - BST Having had years Of experience I think I know the wants of the people, and as this stock is nearer coinnlotoi and embraces a GREATER VARIETY than any other stock in Clatsop cbuhty I .will guarantee that yoa will dp as well, if not better,, by trading with me than at any other dstablisnmont. l2"" Hiving redu6ed my expenses materially of late I propose to give, my customers tho bonotit of tho reduction, and any1 person who doubts whether 1 will sell as 'cheap as any one i OR CASH! can he convinced by giving me a call at Headquarters, " Case's Corner," Chena mus street, Astoria. 1 I.W.C. , S. N. ARRIQON1, Occident Hotel Blofiky Astoria , Wholesale and Retail Dealer in Choice Brand liquors! The Eiriest in the Market CONSTAHTLYON' HANI) Which willi bq gold in lots to suifc purchasers OCCIDENT HOTEL, &. Nv ARRIGONI :.Lv..j....Proprietor. Astoriaj Oregon. THE BEST FURNISHED; MOST CONVE nient and in every respeot popular hotel in Oregon- Owing to its location it is considered A Very Delightful Srazxnner Hesbrt. fiSSMagnificent Sulta of Room's for families. The table is supplied with the choicest delica cies of tho seHohr'inVlind'TBilliard Room attached to the Hotel. .!! Baths! Hot, Cold, and Shower Baths ! AT OCCIDENT HOTEL, ' HAIR DRESSING SALOON. "Wlp Uhlenhart 4 Proprietor. C" Special attention paid to LADIES' CHILDREN'S HAIR CUTT1NQ JEJSTPrivato Entrancofor Ladies 'tKi and US:MAILA2JDJESPBESS. , Jrom Astoria to Clatsop Beacli ! East HORSES! Good CARRIAGE! EAVES ASTORIA EVERY TUESDAY, Thursday and Saturday Mornings. ' Arrive Samo Mornings ht tho OCEAN" HOUSE, ' .', t'W GRIMES HOUSE, " ' ' " tt SUMMER HOUSE, ' ." And SEA SIDE HOUSE. RETURNING Loaves those Houses every Monday, Wednesday and Jb riday , connecting with steamer to Portland each way. "Distance twenty-four miles, fare SI, 50. H. Ji. PARKER, Proprietor. M. ASTORIA MEYERS a . BREWERY! A.VING ALL THE MACHINERY NEC essary for first class work, skillful lirower and using none but tho best quality of mateii als, tho Proprietor is prepared to Manufacture LAGER BEER ! In any quantity, from a Single Rottle to a BARREL, AND PUT IT UP in good con dition for Shipment or Immediate use. ami lies and. keepers of Public Houses promptly and regularly supplied. M MEYER, Pi op r Astoria Market. ' Chenamus Street Astoria. HOB.SON & WARREN.. Wholesalo and Retail Dealers in all kinds of Fresh and Cured Meats! Butter, Eggs, Cheese, Hams, Bacon and Lard! Canned Fruits and Vegetables, Constantly on hand. BS3r Ships supplied at lowest fates. ' h: A. SHAW & SON, . House, Sign and Steamboat Painters ASTOEIA, ORKGON. Graining,Paper-liarigin and Glazirig Done to Order with Neatness and Dispatch. Established 1867. Hemlock TANNERY ! C.LEINENWEBER.V'' H. BROWN, Profriktors. ff&" Manufacture all kindf of Leather "a-a 1 p Baths! -. NHtn .