13
"THE AB'TDRIATST.
THURSDAY
.Juiar'-SL, 1S73
Published by -Authority.
COMMERCIAL STATISTICS.
JReport on the Harbor and Shipping
of the port of Astoria -Foots Im
portant to tJtc JPtiblic.
At a meeting of tfie Astoria Cham
Tx?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 Parmer's Convention. Following
is the report in full.
Your committee to v3iom was referred
the matter of harbor, aim .-hipping intelli
gence, beg leave to offer die follewing:
The water front of Abtoria, varying
from a quarter of a mile te a mile in width
affords over six miles of secure anchorage
for the largest claw-eel vc&els, in from ix to
twelve fathom of water. N o storms ha ve
vet visited the liarbor that effected any
damage to snr.pmg ricmig jujuiujjui m
tlie bay. or rying at the wharf.
Should the demands of commerce re
quire, about ilve consecutive miles of dock
agemay be cheaply constructed from the
river bank to the edge of the channel,
piling being necessary but a short dis
mce 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 high tide. Alter 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 Cathlament bay is the
hog's " back, a bar some quarter of a milp
in length, with ten feet of watei at low and
-eighteen feet at high tide. This is the
most dangerous point on tho river, and the
most skillful pilots never attempt its pas
sage in the night, either with sail or steam.
Jt is formed of shifting sand-, deposited by
the meeting of the tide with the annual
freshets of the river, as Cathlament bay is
ten miles long up and down thariver, and
from seven to fouiteen in width. Thus
the waters of the river arc so spread out
that they loe their force, and the incoming
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, sa' at 12 m. when
high water occurred at 10 o'clock a. m.
he would have to wait until 11 a. m. the
next day, as she could not proceed on the
high tide of thenight. 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 diiricuMes
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 ft.for mile below Rainier
Cnrr'sWoodvard
above
Kalama " " K
St. Helen lTftforK
Mouth Wallamet"
Post Office 18
Swan Island... 17
AA
The channel is often crooked, and diffi
cult of navigation, and the bar at the
.mouth of the Willamette river is subject
Ho annual deposts of sediment from back
water of the Columbia.
"We iind 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 $S per
foot draft as pilotage; from four to ten
days' delav, and 300 to 400 towage,
over and aljove what they would have to
pay, did they receive and take in cargo at
Astoria. A lair average would be, say
iix hundred tons capacity. Expenses would
then be as follews:
Pilotage 10 feet :
:l up
" down..
S 04
10
Six days deraurrago (& $00 300
Towage up 175
down 125
Total $788
Equivalent to over four cents per bushel
on the cargo of 600 tons outward bound.
This is but a fraction of the expense to the
State growing out of present arrangement
of the arrivals and depatures by sea.
By careful inspection of the shipping
registers, we find the average dralt of atl
vessels now in use, ranging between 1,000
smd 1,200 tons, to be 20K feet, and the
nverage of all larger ones but 21 feet.
"While a thousand ton ship is lull 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
ithe river, the export trade jnut 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 tigures
fully demenstrate:
A ship of 3,000 tons is worth 5120,000
Jnterest, at 10 3 cent for four months
average passage) 4,000
Insurance at 12 1 cent 4,S00
depreciation at 10 "J cent 4,000
Captain, tnrce mates, srewara, unui -oii
$150, 7o, $00, $50, $40, $40 month...
Twentv-four seamen $25 month...-
Stores for voyage, 30 men.at oUc i day.,
POUT CH.VRGl.S IX ASTORIA.
"Pilotage and towage, Si feet $10-
Stevedores' bill, 3,060 tons (a, 40c -..
Dunnage -
Port stores, etc -
LIVKltl'OOL CHAUGKS.
Pilotage and towage, 23 feet &J510.
Stovcdoro's bill, 3,000 tons 'ioc.....
Ilnrhnr fntv?. fnnruifreduCS and dOCKagO
lf0-'0
2,400
1,800
200
1,200
200
200
2.0
750
SCI
Pert stores 2U0
Total expense
$ 22,40
Contra : . nnn
Ifr.3,000 tons $15 $,000
fi:.ponses deducted....; 21,4 JO
Valanco.. '.....;....... ... , r,w
A ship of 1,000 tons is worth .S (K),000
Interest at Hi rent., and Insurance (&
12 n cent., foirnonths.. ... -MW
Depreciation rft lu r" cent
Wages Y month, for Cnptajii 100, two ,
insitcs SL"-l,stewird SoU.aml l'iscamen
at 2" each .....
Stores for li men utoUc f1 day
l'ORT CH UIGKS IN ASTORIA.
Pilotage and towage, IN foctL', ?10
Port stores and dunnage.......
Stevedore's bill, 1,000 tons ( oUc
UVKItroOL CHAUGKS.
2,000
2,540
UOO
l'i'J
200
500
100
C30
100
Pilotage -and towage, hi feet 810
Stevedore's bill fea-xj, harbor dues, ton
nage dues and dockage...
Port stores
Total expenses .S 11,7jj
Contka :
By 1,000 tons at Slo Sl."i,000
Expenses deducted 11,760 .
Ualanco $ 3,210
Or, a dividend of 19 per cent, on cost of
the larger snip as against o per ceni. on
that of the smaller. Or, to reduce both to
3 per cent., the o,000 ton ship will carry
wheat to Liverpool for over a third less
than the 1,000 ton vessel; that is, 29 cents
against 43 cents per bushel. Add to this
the cost as above figured, incidental to
delaj's and river expenses of 4 cents per
bushel, and it gives a net gain ot 20 cents
per bushel in favor of Astoria as an ex
porting liarbor, and the employment of
such vessels as can safely cross the bar,
over the present arrangement ot jrortiana
and small vessels. Twenty cents per
bu-hel on the estimated crop of the State
for 1S73, viz: 3,000,000 bushels, gives the
snug little sum of 1,000,000 that the tann
er should have lor his labor. The above
ligures are all substantially correct, and
tell their own story.
It maybe 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
putonboaid. 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 ot bushels taken
on at Astoria and Pertland:
Crop op 1672.
1S72
Ships.
r 5u
July
Oct.
11..
11..
14..
14..
Annie 31. Smull
Manilla
Navigator.
Eleetnu
Lock Dec:
Si.un
Forward, (bbls of flour),
lied Deer.
7,!71j42,4i;2
l."),22il
11,21
20,22
22,177
:j(i,:.")S
2,M7
8,200
215,501
7,7:54
:i,7!)l
7,17o
1,7!)S
10,177
20,0")2
11.
Xov. 7.
7
11..
21..
o0. 'Grasmerc
2.,57.i
Dec. 11.
Zouave
Naworth
ChannclLight
:54 ,i)U7!
2,50.")
S.4J5
fl '125
22,100
17,170
" 17..
" IS..
1ST?,.
Jan. 10..;
Eeb. 1..
" ..
" 17..
" 20..
March S
" 10
41 14
21,7.55
Victoria Nyanza .....
Whittington.
Felix Mendelsohn'"...
Sarah Scott
lioswell Spraguo-....
I llionc
Carribou
Victoria Cross
14.S00
:U,)51
:M),000
il.tiSO
:J2,'58-
2 1,:2
14,SS0
ll."74
1,250
8,:U2
!,0J5
7,705
3,828
Again, deep sea vessels never like to
leave the salt water. Coasters are willing
to steamboat it, but largo vc-scls avoid
steamboat grounds. In fact, the under
writers do not allow deep sea vessels to
venture from their natural clement at
will.
The striking of a vessel on any of the
bars of tho 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 diy
clock and having her bottom examined.
Should a ship be loat 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.
m 8ovc 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 live hun
dred a year for the last twenty-one years,
or since 1S52. The following is a" com
plete list ot all the looses 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.
13arks jVLendora, and Merrithew, lost
January 12th? 1853, came in without
pilots, wind tailed after getting in, and
they drifted ashore.
Jiark Oriole, lost September 19th, 1S53.
Prig Detroit, lost Dec. 22, 1855, on outer
spit. Going out at night.
Paik Desdemona, lost Dec. 31st, 1856.
Came in without a pilot, ran on sands six
miles insidcu
Schooner "Woodpecker lost 3Iay 10, 1S61,
four miles inside.
Park Induatry,lo-t3IarchlG, 1SG5, com
ing in without a pilot.
liark'W. P. Scranton, lost lay 5th,
18b7.
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 futher appears that near
ly every loss during the time under reveiw,
was the result, not of a rough bar, but of
me wma iaimig aiter me vessel naa crossed
thus leaving 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 being no tug to go to their relief,
Vessels, marked thus () are known to bavo
li?htored moro than the amount credited
aboro.
of course there could be no rescue. It is
safe to say that, had there been a tug at
hand, every vessel thus iar lost on the bar
might havebeed saved. Since the placing
of the tug Astoria upon the bar, or pilot
grounds m 1869, therehasheennoloss, and
with proper care on the part of tug and
pilots, there need be none lor many years
to come. Tkese facts warrant us in mak
ing the bold assertion, thatthereis 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 spot 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 atrial currents, resulting from
peculiar physical conlormations. llie
channel is distinctly bouyed out, and
lighted by a first class light-house on Cape
Disappointment, where is established a
life saving station br 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. 13ut, as
the rate of insurance 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 thd land,
the discrimination against the Columbia
river bar should not be removed, and our
insurance had at a lair rate, much less
than is now imposed.
Another important point gained by
making Astoria the exporting harbor,
would he the employment of home capi
tal in the river tranportation, instead of
foreign, or outside, as i& now done. The
question is now never raised about Sandy
ilook bar, at the entrance of iNew York
liarbor, being too shallow and rough for
me extensive and prohtable 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 cany tho surplus 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
ZMr. YanDusen, jIr. Dare, Collector of
Customs, and the Pilots, for valuable in
formation. Respectfully submitted,
J. n. D.Gray, A. S. Mekcek, "W. TV.
PakivHR, Committee.
Astokia, INfay 31, 1S73.
Hew Stock of Goods !
CLOTHING
OP THE BEST STYLES, .
AND THE VERY REST QUALITY',
AT REASONABLE PRICES.
EVERYTHING ELSE IN.
--"-1 - PROPORTION.
t The Old stand of
EES.
TAKE NOTICE This is an extensivo stock
of well selected goods, in great variety, which
I am now oponing. Old Patrons, Friends and
the community in general, aro invited to uall
and inspect both Goods and Prices.
G. SUMMERS,
Chenamus street, Astoria,
COLUMBIA RiVEH PILOTSI
&
P. JOHNSON,
H. A. SNOW,
P. E. FERCHEN.
M. M. GILMAN,
G.REED,
C.S.WRIGHT, Agent.
K35"0ftioe Corner of Main and Chenamus
streets, Astoria, Oregon.
EOR CHARTER.
Tho Fast Sailing
Sloop, IONE, ;fe
R. CYRUS SIIIYELY Mastor.
Is row in readiness to Charter for
Pleasure Parties, Preight or Passengers !
Headquarters at Case's Landing.
EOR CHARTER.
Tho sloop
HECTOR,
2b
-"33
Having been purchased by tho undersigned,
will hereafter bo in readiness to carry freight
to any accessible point. Tho Hector has good
accommodations for keeping freight diy and
can carry 2U,U!)U feet of lumber. For particu
lars, inquire of P. JOHNSON, Astoria.
EOR CHAPTER.
Tho fast sailing Sloop
W.H.TWHJGHT,
R M LOWE Mastor
Isnow in readiness to Charter for Pleasure
Parties, Freight or Passengers. Headquarter
Goriior Main and JelForson streets, Astoria
SUMM
ASTORIA ADVERTISEMENTS.
Establislietl in Astoria in 1S49.-,
OTJW GOODS, CHEAP GOODS.
A. VAN DUSERij.
Wholesale and Retail Denlor in
GENERAL MERCHANDISE,
Corner of Main and Chenamus streets,
ASTORIA, OREGON.
P5 XOW OFFERING FOR SALE ONE OF
the largest and most complete assortments
of General Merchandise 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 Stoclc of Every Article,
TOO NUMEROUS TO MENTION.
ftGivo mo a call, and bo convinced that
my goods are of tho best quality, and as cheap
as can bo bought of any house in tho State.
A. VAN DUSEtf.
MRS. A. S. MERCER,
Teacher or Prof. E. A. Bobbins1-
American Metlioa for Piano Forte
Alse: Harmony andThoroughbase!
nag-Tho ONLY CONCISE SYSTEM which
will stand Artistic Criticism,t and furnish tho
material upon which every educated Teacher
can baso their own peculiarities of instruction, I
it presents in a. now iignt, uasou upon r atu
ral Laws, tho art of Execution, and Science of
Music ifcgrRooms at Residence, Astoria"ta.w
Dr. Sc KBftiSEY,
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,
EOR MEDICAL USE,
PATENT MEDICINES,
TOILET ARTICLES,
OILS BRUSHES, ETC.,
v Orders from tho Country solicited, and
carefully and promptly filled."
A. J. DONALDSON.
GRANVILLE REED.
DONALDSON & REED,
Dealers in all kinds of
ERESII AND CURED MEATS,
CANNED ERU1TS, VEGETABLES.
FRESH BEEF, PORK, MUTTON, VEAL,
HAMS, BACON AND -LARD,
MESS BEEF AND PORK,
v&5 Constantly on hand.
fl Special attention paid to supplying ships,
nolladay's wharf, Astoria.
H. B. PARKER,
Importer and Dealer in
Wines, Liquors, Cigars
TOBACCO,
GROCERIES,
PROVISIONS, Etc., Etc.
K3T Holladay's Wharf, Main street, Astoria.
J. W. CEARHART,
COMMISSION MERCHANT,
Chenamus street, Astoriax
"Wholcsalo and Retail Dealer. in
ay, uram
e
?
A GENERAL ASSORTMENT of Groceries,
FLOUR, BACON, HAMS,
SHOULDERS, LARD, BUTTER,
CHEESE, EGGS, Etc.
Motto" Small Prolits on Cash Sales." Con
signments solicited. tf
Oregon Bakery.
Main St., (Holladay's Wharf,) Astoria; Oregon.
CHARLES BINDER, Proprietok.
.
FRESH BREAD, CAKES, PIES, CRACK
crs and Pilot Bread, always on hand.
?.
A RESTAURANT j,-
Is kept in connection "with tho Bakery, whero
meals can be procured at all nours.
ki" Oysters in every style in the scason.lU
Astoria Bakery,
Corner of Main and Cass streets, Astoria.
HENRY" JACOBS Proprietor.
READ, CRACKERS, PILOT BREAD.
Cakos.Grocoiios and Provisions of all kinds
always on hand, tfhip stores furnished.
US, Connected with tho establishment is a
Reading Room. Cigars and Lager Beer served.
PETER H. FOX,
N1SRCHANT TAILOR,
Corner of Main and Jefferson streets, Astoria.
nLOTIIBTG OF
ALL KINDS CUT- AND
Cloaning and repairing
I "U inaio to erdor.
.ASTORIA-yERTISEMENrrS
Headquarters ! Headquarters !
I. W. CAE,
TVholcsalo ami Retail Dealer in
Dry Goods,, Clothing, Groceries, Provisions, Notions,
And Generax Merchandise,
ISIIESTp ANNOUNCE TO THEPUB-
W lie that he has a very superior and well
selected Stock of Goods in the above line, be
sides which may bo found in great variety-, the
bes.t quality of
CROCKERY, GLASSWARE,
HATS AND CAPS,
ROOTS AND SHOES,.
BLANKETS, FLANNELS, &c,
"Which is being offered
Cheap FOR CASH or PRODUCE !
fi5rRavinc: had years of experience I think
I know tho wants of tho people, and as this
stock is nearer complete, and embraces a
GREATER VARIETY than any other stock
in Clatsop county, I .will guarantee that you
will do as well, if not better, by trading with
mo than at any other establishment.
tHTlIavinK reduced rav cxnensos rnfiteriallv
of lato I propose to give my customers tho
benefit-of the reduction, and any person who
doubts whether 1 will soil as cheap as any ono
FOR GASH! can be convinced by giving mo a
call at Headquarters, " Case's Corner," Chena
mus street, Astoria. I. "W . C.
S. N. ARRICQN1,
Occident Hotel Blocks Astoria-,
"Wholesale and Retail Dealer in
Choice Er and liquors !
The Finest in the Market
CONSTANTLY ON HANDJ
Which will be sold in lots to suit purchasers
OCCIDENT HOTEL,
S. N. AR1UG0NI Proprietor.
Astoria, Oregon,
THE BUST FURNISHED, MOST CONYE
nient and in every respect popular hotel in
Oregon. Owing to its location it is considered
A Very Delightful Summer Resort.
CSTMagmficent Suits of Rooms for families.
Tho table is supplied with tho choicest delica
cies of tho season. Wine and. Billiard Room
attached to the Hotel.
Baths!
Baths!
.OATHSjgj
Hot, Gold, and Shower Baths !
AT OCCIDENT HOTEL,
HAIR DRESSING SALOON.
WYL UHLEXIIART pROritfETOK.
5T Special attention paid to LADIES'
CHILD IlEiVS HAilt CUTTlNtt
JE!" Private Entrance for Ladies"
and
GLOBE HOTEL.
Main Street - - Astoria, Oregon.
N.KOEEOED, PROPRIETOR.
This House hag been refitted and nowly fur
nished in tho neatest manner, and guests will
lind all their comforts well attended to. Tho
Tablo always supplied with tho best of tho
season that tho market affords.
fco Those who desire to have a good squaro
meal go to tho Globe. Terms moderate.
HENRY BERENDES,
Fashionable m ffi i
Chenamus street, Astoria, Oregon.
IXQ Manufactures to order the best quality
of Boots and Shoes Repairing of all kinds "t-u
COME AND SEE
Ml' FANCY J
A J MEGLER, Chenamus street
MEYEKS'
BREWERY!
ASTORSA
HAVING ALL THE MACHINERY NEC
essary for first class 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 Singlo Bottlo to a
BARREL, AD PUT IT UP in gwxl con
dition for Shipment or Immediate use. 1 ami
lies and keepers of Public Houses promptly
and regularly supplied. M MEYER, i-iop'r
A,
Astoria Market.
Chenamt?s Street Astoria.
IIOBSON & WARREN,
Wholesale and Retail Dealers in all kinds of
Fresh and Cured Meats!
Butter, Fggs, Cheese,
JIams, Bacon and Lardf
Canned Fruits andVegetables,
Con.tantly on hand.
f$W Shjps supplied at lowest rates.
H. A. SHAW & SON,
House, Sign and Steamboat Painters
"" ' ASTOUfA, Orkgo-x.
Graining,Paper-haning and Glazing
Donoto Order with Neatness and Dispatch.
G.LEINENWEBES.T.
H.iiROWN, JPmprwtors.
&W Manufacture ell kinds. of Lfch$r "tt
H, Established 18&7.
Hemlock-TANNEEY!