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About Tri-weekly Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1873-1874 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 5, 1873)
01 ft fSLLSJ!g?:: j!igfrfr. caPTgr SHE ASTORIAN. 37UESDAY Augusts, 1873 Published by Authority. COMMERCIAL STATISTICS. 3jfeport on the Harbor and Shipping qf the port of Astoria Facts Im portant to the Public. At a mooting of the Astoria Cham ifer of Commerce, lield in May last, $ committee was appointed to pre jtere statistics of the harbor and ship ping of the port of Astoria, for use at t&e Parmer's Convention. Following it the report in full. Your committee to whom was referred tjfe matter of harbor, and shipping intelli gence, beg leave to offer the follewing: The 'water iiont of Astoria, varying ttsm a quarter of a mile to a mile in width fibrd over six mile.- of .secure anchorage for tkc largest classed vessels, in from six to twelve fathoms of water, No storms have .'vet visited the harbor that enectod any 'Cbunageto shr-ping riding at anchor in tkc bay, or lying at the wharf. Should the demands of commerce re Ollire, about live consecutive miles of dock HJge 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 poition 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-lour at ordinary high tide. After crossing the har, the depth holds still greater all the wiry to Astoria, so that any vessel able to jros.s can safely -venture to our docks. About six miles above Astoria, at the corn- mencement of Cath lament Day is bay is the i i (i i i t. - - ? :i i noes oacK. a. u:ir some mi.uiur ui u mm- mnglh, with ten feet of water at low and eighteen feet at ugh tide. Ihis is the most uangerous pointoii uiu nvta, auu ijjc most skillful yjilots never attempt its pas- age in the night, either 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 Cathlamethayis 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 year, and make dredging useless. Steamers are nearly always detained at Astoria, for tide to cross this bar, and should one arrive here, sayit 12 y. when high water occurred at 10 o'clock a. r. she would have to wait until 11 a. m. the next day, as she could not proceed on the high title of the night. This bar has been known for years, but as the draft of steam 42TS and vessels now coming into the river i5 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 Hainier ' Carr's Woodyard 4 " " -above ' Kalama " " M " St. Helen 17ftfor " , , Mouth Wallamet" " " Post Office IS M , t . Swan Island... 17 y " The channel i often crooked, and difil- ' -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 Orwron is now chieflv done by vessels of A. " 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 ahove 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 sis follews: Pilotaao 10 feet $4 up .' $ 04 " . " " down 04 . Six days demurrago $00 300 Towage up :....' 175 down 125 Total .-. '. $7S8 Equivalent to over four cents per bushel ' on tne cargo of (300 tons outward bound. This is but a fraction of the expense to the State growing" out of present arrangement of the arrivals and denatures by sen. By careful inspection of the shippingr ' registers, we find the aveiagre draft of all vessels now in use, ranging between 1,000 and 1,200 tons, to be 20M feet, and the - average of all larger ones but 21 feet. "While a thousand ton ship i& iull larger than can reach Portland,or any point above Astoria, foaded, on account of depth of water, a vessel of 3,000 tons can always come to Astoria, whatever the fatage of water. Thus, with a point higher up -on the river, the export trade must forever be carried on m small vessels, while from here the shipping of the world may com pete ibr freights. ' A ship of 3,000 tons can cany wheat from Astora to Liverpool ibr twenty cents a bushel less than a 1,000 ton vessel can do from Portland, as the following figures frilly demenstrate: A ship of 3,009 tons is worth $120,000 Interest, at 10 ft cent, for four months (average passage) 4,000 Insurance at 12 "$ cent 4,800 Depreciation at 10 cent 4,000 Usptain, tnroe niate3, steward, anu cook $150, 557.5, $00, 50, $40, $40 " month... Twenty-four seamen $25 $ month Stores for voyage, 30 men at 50c ift day, POUT CHARGES IX ASTOUU. Pilotage and towago, 21 feet $10 htovedores' bill, 3foW tons 40c Dnnniura - 1,C'0 2,400 1,800 206 1,200 200 i'art stores, etc - w LIVERPOOL KlLlll(E3. Pilotage and towago, 23 foot $10. 230 gtavedoro's bill, 3,000 tons & 25c . 750 Harbor foes, tonnage dues and dockage S00 Pwi'storeg.................... . 2w f&lal expense ...., . .$22,460 . ijektiu: tons & $15.M..o..............$4.r,000 deducted.......... ZZ490- 22,516 A ship of 1,000 tons is worth 3 K,000 Interest at 10 ti cent., and Insurance & 12 V cent., four months 4,400 Depreciation at 10 tl cent - 2,000 ages f month, for Captain $150, two mates Sl..steward $50,and 12 seamen at $2 each 2,540 Stores for 1 J men at 5Cc day 0W POUT t II KGkS IN ASTORIA. 1'ilotago and towage, 1!) feet $10 r Port stores and dunnage 200 Stevedore's bill, 1,000 tons & 50c 500 MVKUPOOL CHARGES. Pilotage and towago, l.l feet $10 lbO Stevedore's bill ( 2-K5, harbor dues, ton nage dues and dockage 050 Port stores - 100 Total expenses .$ 11,75! Uextiiv: . By 1,000 ton at $15 $lo,000 Expenses deducted 11, oU balance S ,24 Or, a dividend of 19 per cent, on cost of the larger ship as against 5 per cent, on that ot the smaller. Or, to reduce both to 5 per cent., the 3,000 ton ship will carry wheat to Liverpool for over a third less than the 1,000 ton vessel; that is, 29 cents against 45 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 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 1873, viz: 3,000,000 bushels, gives the snug little sum of $1,000,000 that the farm er should have tor his labor. The above figures are all substantially correct, and tell their own stoiy. It may be said that several large vessels have loaded at Portland, but the Custom House record-, show that of the twenty vessels named below, comprising all the vessels of anv 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 i put on board. And yet these records are I more favorable to the city of Portland than the facts justify, for the reason that i - i . number of instances, two or three hundredt0IUs wab cleared om t ,and Cufctom 1IoUhQ as bei Q le Port- on ooaru 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 ofbushels taken on at Astoria andPertlarfd: Crop of lt72. 1S72 Ships. fill gl gl J uly 11.. Annie M. SmulP 7,l.7142,4'i2 Oct. 11.. Manilla'. 15,22' 14,(521 4 11.. Navigator. 7,8V l 20,022 " 14.. Electra .. 7,7.54 22,177 " 1 L Lock Dee. 3,7J)4 Miffi !Now'7.. Sia'm 7.175 2o,0u7 " 14.. Forward, (bbls of flour), 1,7;S 3,200 " 2L. ll'edDedr. 10,177 2fi,50l " ;o.. Grasmere 20,0"2 25,575 Dec. 11.. Zouave 31,01)7122,100 " 17.. Xaworth 2,305 17,170 " 18.. ChunnelLight S.405 21,755 1S73. Jan. 10.. Victoi ia Nyanza. 0,025 44,S00 Peb. 1.. liiltingtortf. 14,Sb0 .11,054 " S.. Felix iMendelsohn- 11,573 :53,(Oo' " 17. Sarah Scott 1,230..0,000 " 20.. Hoswell Spiaguo 8512 :55,OSO March S lllione 9,0!I5 0,0?J 44 10 Cairibou 7,705 :52,OS-l 44 14 VietoriaCios 3,S2S 24,342 Again, deep sea vessels never like to leave the skit water. Coasters are willing to steamboat it, but large vessels avoid steamboat grounds. In fact, the under writer:: 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 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 Haying her bottom examined. Shoulda ship be lost under such circurriw stances, not'a dollar of insurance could be collected on the vessel, and if the owners were responsible, the underwriters upoli the cargo would hold them for. the valiic 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 wliolc 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 1S52. The following is a com plete list of all the losses or wrecks that have occurred on the bar since 1S52, which 3car may be considered the beginning of wisdom as regards the channels, currents, &c, on or about the bar. Parks 3Iendora, and AlerrithcWj lost January 12th, 1S53, came in without pilots, wind failed after getting in, and they drifted ashore. Park Oriole, lost September 19th, 853. Brig Detroit, lost Dec. 22, 1335, oti outer spit. Going out at night. Bark Dchdemona, lost Dec. 31st, 1S5C. Came in without a pilot, ran on sands six miles inside. Schooner "Woodpecker lost Atay 10, 1S61, four miles inside. BarkIndustry,lost!March 16, 1865, com ing in without a pilot. ' Bark "W. B. bcranton, lost 3Iay 5th, 1S67. Only eight vessels in twentv-one years. Eight out of 10,500. One out of 1,312, or one-thirteenth of one per cent, otme ship ping coming into the river. Of this number, four were coining in without pilots. It futher appears that near ly every loss during the time under reveiw, was the result, not of a rough bai but of the wind failing after the vesselluulcroased 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 tHHg ) are knowq to have lightered sure ika HkoiYamount' Credited a vo. , . ' L . . . ' j I i of course" there could be no rescue. It is safe to say that, had there been a tug at hand, every vessel thu far lost on the bar might have heed saved. Since the placing of the tug Astoria upon the bar, or pilot grounds in 18G9, there has been no loss, and with proper care on thepait of tug and pilots, there need be none for many years to come. Tkqse facts warrant us in mak ing the bold assertion, that there is nobarr ed harbor known to commeice, 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 pan readily keep off, and wait a suitable time to enter. And there is good holding grounds but a few bundled rods inside for vessels bound out to anchor, and select from the spot 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 ieri a 1 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 lor a light house at Point Auanis, and preparations are going forward for com mencing the work at once. The commerce of'Oiegon has hereto fore been taxed by underwriters far above the proper and reasonable rate. But, as the rate of insurance is made up from a knowledge of the actual pi o 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 lemoved, 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 Sandy JJook bar, attlie entrance of 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. But, to conclude, it is evident that the class of vessels required to cany the 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-fouith the agricultural wealth of the State. The committco are under obligations to l!Mr. YanDusen, Mr. Hare, Collector of vubujuis, umi mu x nuts, iui. wiuuium in formation. Respectfully submitted, J. H. D.Gray, A. S. Merceh, AY. "W-. Parker, Committee. Astoria, May 31,1S73. New Stock of Goods! CLOTHING OE THE BEST STYLES, AND THE VERY BEST QUALITY, AT REASONABLE PRICES. EVERYTHING ELSE IN ' - PROPORTION. At The Old stand of SUMMERS. 4 . TAKE NOTICE. This is an oxtensivo stock of well selected goods, in groat variety, which I am now opening. Old Patrons, Priends and tho community in genoral, are invited to call and inspect both Goods and Prices. G. SUMMERS, Chenamus street, Astoria, COLUMBIA RIVER PILOTS! & P. JOHNSON, M. M. GILMAN, H. A. SNOW, G.REED, P. E. FERCHEN. C. S. WRIGHT, Agent. BST Office Corner of Main and Chenamus stroots, Astoria, Oregon. EOR CHARTER. Tho Fast Sailing Sloop, IOHE, sa R. CYRUS SHIVELY- ..Master. Is how in readiness to Charter for Pleasure Parties, Ereight or Passengers ! Headquarters at Gasp's Landing. EOR CHARTER. Tho slobp HECTQR, Having boon purchased by tho undersigned, will heroaftor bo in readiness to carry freight to any accessible point. Tho Hector has good accommodations, for keeping freight dry and can cany 20,000 ot of lumoor. Tor particu lars. innmro of P. JOHNSON, Astoria. EOR .CHAPTER. Tho fast sailing Sloop W.3QC.TWH.IGHT,. R M LOWE ..rr..; ....Master Isnow is ro&dinoss to' Charter for Pleasure Parties. Freight or Passongore! Heudrmarterj' wuu.iaiu ituu cukcuu outvie, jVSWTia. ASTORIA ADVERTISEMENTS. r "Of , Established in Astorift in 1849? NEW GOODS. CHEAP GOODS. A. VAN DUSElt, "Wholosalo and Rotail Dealer in GENERAL MERCHANDISE, Corner of Main and Chonamus streets, ASTORIA, OREGON. 5 NOW OFFERING FOR SALE ONE OF tho larcost and most complete sissortments of Uonoral Merchandise ever before brought to tho country, and to buyers For Cash will offer the Most Flattering Inducements In the lino of DRY-GOODS, CLOTHING, TT JLT ATtfT flAPfi ' I3(50TS AND SHOES FANCY GOODS, LADIES' DRESS GOODS, GENTS' PURNISHENGS, A Complete Stoclc of Every Article, TOO NUMEROUS TO MENTION. ttGivo 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 the State. A. VAjN DUSjKA. MRS. A. S. MERGER. Teacher of Prof. E. A. Bobbins' American Methoil for Piano Forte Alse: Harmony and'i'horoughbaso! its-Tho ONLY CONCISE SYSTEM which will stand Artistic Criticism, and furnish tho material ( upon which overy educated Teacher can baso 'their own peculiarities of instruction, it presents in a now light, based upon Natu ral Laws, tho art of Execution, and Science of Music ifceS'Rooms at Residonco, Astoria5! Dr. Sk K1NSEY, DRUGGIST AND APOTHECARY, Astoria Oregon. PHYSICIANS AND FAMILY PRESCRIP tions filled from the PUREST DRUGS, either at day or mghu A full stock of WINES AND LIQUORS, EOR MEDICAL USE, PATENT MEDICINES, TOILET ARTICLES, ... OILS "BRUSHES, ETC., 9 Ordors from tho Country solicited, and carefully and promptly filled. A. J. DONALDSON. GRANVILLE REED. DONALDSON & REED, Dealers in' all kinds of FRESH AND CURED MEATS, CANNED ERUITSj VEGETABLES. PRESII BEEF, PORK, MUTTON, VEAL, HAMS, BACON AND LAuD, K" Constantly 'on hand. J35T 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. K5T Holladay's "Wharf, Main street, Astoria. J. W. GEARHART-; COMMISSION MERCHANT Chenamus street, Astoria. "Wholosalo and Retail Dealor'in '' Hay, Grain .and Feed ! A GENERAL ASSORTMENT of Groceries, FLOUR, BACON, HAMS, u v SHOULDERS, LARD, liUTTER, CHEESE, EGGS.Etc. Motto "Small Profits on Cash Salbsi'" Con signments solicited. tf Oregon Bakery. V- Main St., (Holladay's AVharf,) Astoria, Oregon. CHARLES BINDER, Proprietor. 11ESH BEEAD, CAKES, PIES, CRACK- ors and rilot ureact, always on nann-p A RESTAURANT Is kept in connection with fho Bakory, trhoro meals can bopi.ooureu ataiinoHrs. iter Oysters in overy stylo in tho season.TKi Astoria Bakery, Corner of Main ani Cass streets, Astoria. HENRY JACOBS...:: Proprietor. READ, CRACKERS, PIJiOT BREAD, Cakes.Grocof ios and Provisions of all kinds always on hand, chip stores furnished. tj, Connected with tho establishment is-'a Reading Room. Cigars and Lager Boor served. PETER II. EOX, MERCHANT TAILOR, Corner 'of Main and Joflcrson stroota, Astoria. JIL'eiHIXGr OF, ALL KINDS, CUT, AND V made tVttder.' Cleaain an4 ropfdrSfifr ASTORM- k'DV-BRTISEMENTS Headquarters ! Headquarters ! f. W. CASE, . Wholesalo and Retail Dealor in Of Goods, Clothing, Groceries, Provisions, Notions, ' And General Merchandise, IBHES TO ANNOUNCE TO TIIE PUH lic that he has a verv sunerior an.! well selected Stock of Goods in tho above line, be sides which may be found in groat variety, tho best quality of CR'OCKERY, GLASSWARE, HATS AND CAPS, ROOTS AND SHOES, I3LANKETS, ELANNELS,&c.,, Which is being offered : Cheap FOR CASH or PRODUCE ! C Having had years of experienco I think I know the wants of tho people, and as thi- stock is nearer complete, and embraces a WREATER ArARlETY than any other stock in Clatsop county, 1 will guarantee that you will do as well, if not better, by trading with ma than at any other establishment. &5" Having reduced my exponses materially of lato L propose to givo my customers tho benefit of tho reduction, and any person who doubts whether 1 will sell as cheap as any ono FOR CASH! can be convinced by giving mo a call at Headquarters, " Case's Corner," Chona mus street, Astoria. I. C. 8. N. ARR1CQNI, Occident Hotel JBloc7c, Astoria, "Wholesale and Retail Dealer in Choice Brand Liquors The Einest in the Market CONSTANTLY ON JIAND! 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 respectpopular hotel in Oregon. Owing to its location it is considered A Very DeHglitful Slimmer Ifcesort. J3SMagnificent Suits of Rooms for families. Tho table is supplied with tho choicest dolica cios of tho season. Wine and Billiard Room attached to tho Hotel. Baths! Baths Hot, Cold, and Shower Baths ! AT OCCIDENT HOTEL, HAIR DRESSING SALOON. "WM.'Uhlenhart Proprietor. C5T Special attention paid to LADDIES' CHILDREN'S HAIR CUTTING tf-?f Privato Entrance for Ladies "TJW and GliOBE HOTEL. Main Street - - Astoria, Oregon N.KOEFOED, PROPRIETOR. This House has been rofittod and newly fur nished in tho neatest manner, and guests will iindall their comfoits well attondodto. Tho Table always supplied with tho best of tho season that tho market affords. Kafir Thoso who desiro to have a good srpuaro meal go to the Globe. Terms moderate. HENRY BERENDES, Fashionable m'Siu Chenamus street, Astoria, Oregon. BcS, Manufactures to order tho best quality of Roots und Shoes Repairing of all kinds "H-u 001133 AYi?1WPouitry A J MEGLEil, Chenamus street M. ASTORIA MEYERS' BREWERY!: AVING ALL THE MACHINERY NEC- ossary for first clats work, skillful brewers and using none but the best quality of muteii als, tho Proprietor is prepared to Manufacture LAGER BEER ! ' -In any quantity, from a Singlo, Bottle to a BARREL. AND PUT IT, UP in good con dition for Shipment or Immediate use. Fami lies and keepers of Public Houses promptly and regularly supplied. M. MEYER, r lop r Astoria fftarket. Ciienamus Street ."..... Astoima'. LtOBSON d AVAE&E'N, . fc l "Wholesalo and Retail Dealors in all kinds f Fresh and Cured Meats! Butter, Eggs, Chcepc, Ilarvs, Bacon and LcnZ! Canned Fndts and Vegetables, Constantly on hand. tsfW Ships supplied at lowest rate-. , II. A. SHAW fc SON, House, Sign and Steamboat-Painters Astouia, Oregon. . , GraimngjPaper-hunging and Glazing Done to rdcr-with-Ncatnes- and Dispatch. Established. 1867. Hemlock TANHERY ! & LEnfENWBBHK.l .12 . J WJHBtVJRt. i Ufiftctur 3 Hr tflktt&