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About Tri-weekly Astorian. (Astoria, Or.) 1873-1874 | View Entire Issue (Aug. 9, 1873)
EY) pP"' i i i i i ' ' ' mutmm Tri-Weekly Astorian . SATURDAY August 9, 1873 ' Published by Authority. OOMMBUCIAL STATISTICS. XSbport on the Harbor and Shipxring of the xort o' Astoria Facta 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 oi the port of Ar.toria, for use at tiie Farmer's Convention. Following iB the report in full. Tour committee to vho;n was referred t&G matter of harbor, and shipping intelli gence, beg leave to oiler the follewing: The water front of A-toria, varying from a quarter of a mile to a mile in width adbrcU over six mile- of secure anchorage for the larscBt cla-.-ed vessel in from six to twelve fatfiomb of water. No .-tonus have vet visited the harbor that effected any damage to shipping riding at anchor in uie bay, or lying ar inc. wnari. Should the demands of commerce re quire, about five consecutive milo of dock age may he cheaply constructed from the river bank to the edge of the channel, piling being necessary but a sdiort dis tance at any given point. The central portion of the harbor is ju.-t 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 hiirh tide. After crossing the bar, the depth holds still greater all the way to Astoria, so that any vessel able to cro.-s can safely venture to our docks. About six mile.- 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 lnor-t dangerous point on the river, and the TOost skillful idiots never attempt its pas sage in the night, either with sail or steam. It is formed or shifting sand.-, deposited by the meeting of the tide with the annual freshets of the river, as Cathlamet bay is ten mile.- 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 lo.-e their force, and the incoming tide washes the loose sand into irregular bars that change their po-ition ironi yeai to year, and make dredging useless. Steamers are nearly alway- detained at Astoria, for tide to cros thi bar, and should one arrive here, say at 12 m. when Inch 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. ThU bar has been known for years, but as the draft of steam ers and ves.-els now coming into the river is greater than formerly, the difficulties -aro becoming more and more apparent. There is the following named depths of water at the points mentioned at high tide: "Walker's Island, in ft-for y, mile below Rainier Carr'sWoodyard 4 " " above Kahuna " " K " St Helen 17ftfbr " Mouth Wallamet41 Cl " Post Office. 18 " Swan Island... 17 " The channel is often crooked, and difii ctflt of navigation, and the bar at the mouth' of the Willamette river is subject to annual deposts of sediment from back water oi the Columbia. AVe find that the carrying trade of Oregon is now chiefly done by vessels of light draft and small capacity. That the-e are subject to a tax of S per ftxt draft as pilotage; fiom four to ten days' delay, and 300 to .$-100 towage, oyer 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 $ SI up $ Gl Hi " " down (54 Six days demurrage uo 8(() Tiownge up 17") down 125 Total S7S8 . Equivalent to over four cents per bushel on the cargo of 000 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. t By careful inspection of the shipping registers, we find the average draft of all vessels now in use, ranging oetween 1,000 and 1,200 tons, to be 20K feet, and the average 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 the river, the export trad must forever be carried on in small vessels, while 'from liere the shipping of the world may com pete for freights. y A ship of 3,000 tons can cany wheat from Astora to Liverpool for twenty cents .bushel less than a 1,000 ton vessel can do from Portland, as the following figures fulljr demenstrate: Aship of ".,008 tons is worth $120,000 . Interest, at 1U ". eent. lor four months (average passage) , Jnsuranee at 12 eent 4,000 4,800 4,000 Depreciation at 10 & cent. Oejitain, three mates, steward, and cook 1,'JOO 2,400 1,800 Twenty-four seamen 25 Q month..... 'Stores for voyage, :0 men at 30c ti day, POUT CH.UtGKS IX ASTORU. Pilotage and towage, 2-J feet S8 & 10..... 20iJ Stovedors' bill, o,oW tons fe 40c . 100 . Iunnage....' 200 "3tat stores, etc 200 rf. , LIVKKl'OOL .'nA.HGKS. Pttotogo and towago, 2:3 feet C$S10 2-T0 Svedore'ri bill, .',000 tons & 25c........... 750 Jloxbor fees, tonnago dues and dockago S00 .S&etores .'..A. '. , ' SQtel expense -....,...'. ,m fVVTD? ' " " tons g $15 '.. . S4.1.000 3 douucteo.....r.;... t ' . jWuftt;..:.:....v. ...- s ..'.! A. shin of 1,000 tons is worth S (50,000 Interest at 10 -0 conL, andlnsuranco (& 12 Y cent, four mouths - Depreciation at 10 V cent "Wages V month, for Cajtain SloO, two mates Sl.-",ste ward SoU.und 12 seamen at $.!" each Stores for 15 men at 5cc '0 day - POUT CHAKOKS. IN ASTORr.V. Pilotage and totvago, 19 feet $S (jj 10 ... Port stores and dunnage Stevedore's hill, 1,000 tons Qc oUc LIVKItrOOIj CHAKOKS. Pilotage and towage, 1 fuot S10 Stevedore's bill ('2oc, harbor dues, ton nage dues and dockage Port stores t 'GOO ! "' i 2,."40 IWO l((j 200 500 100 050 100 Total expenses $ 11,751 Ue.ntra: . - - By 1,000 tons atSlo Slo.OOO Expenses deducted Il,7o0 Lalanco S 3,24 Or, a dividend of 10 per cent, on cost of the larger ship as against 5 per cent, on that of 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, 20 cents against 4o cents per bushel. Add to this the cost a1- above figured, incidental to delays and river expenses of -4 cents per bushel, and it gives a net gam ot 20 cents per bushel in favor of Astoria as an ex porting harbor, and the employment ef 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 IS?:), viz: 5,000,000 bushels, give the snug little sum of $1,000,000 that the farm er should have for his labor. The above figures are all substantially correct, and tell their own story. It may be said that several largo vessels have loaded at Portland, but the Custom House recoids 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 steaniboats and here put on board. And yet these recoids arc more favoiablc 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 Cu-tom 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: . Uaor ok 1.S72. 1872 Ships. o i o 5 J uly 11.. Annie M. Smull 7,071142, HJ2 Oct. 11.. Manilla l.,22!i 1 1,521 11.. Navigator 7,:J 20f22 " 14.. Klcutni 7,7;il 22,177 J 11.. Lock Dee-. :J,70i:5,:m Xov. 7.. Siam 7,173 2o,'57 " II.. Forward, (bbls of flour), l,7i8 :J,200 " 21.. lied Deer 10,177 2,.01 " :W.. Grasmere 20,0o2 2o,57.") Dec. 11.. Zouave 'M,M7 22,100 " 17.. Naworth 2,303 17,170 " IS.. Channel Light 8,105 21,733 1873. Jan. 10.. Victoria Xyanza. 0,023 14,800 Peb. L. Whitiinston. 11,880 Jl,ij31 " 8.. Kelix Mendelsohn-. 11,37-i :W,iK):) " 17.. Sarah Scott 1,230 .0,000 " 20.. Koswoll Spraguo 8,:ll2 33,ri80 March t lllione 11,0113 :50,039 " 10 Carribou 7,703 :J2,08:J " H Victoria Cross :?,82fc 21,-42 Again, deep sea vessels never like to leave the salt water. Coasters are willing to steamboat it, but large vessels avoid steamboat grounds. In l'act, the under writers, 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 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. Uence larjre vessels will never be induced to undertake the navigation of the bars of the Columbia above Astoria. !Xov as to the safetv 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 1S52. The following is a com plete list of all the losses qt wrecks that have occurred on the bar since 1852, which year may be considered the beginning of wisdo.-n as regards the channels, currents, &c, on or about the bar. Barks !Mendora, and Mcrrithew, lost January 12th, 1833, came in without pilots, wind failed after getting in, and they drifted ashore. Bark Oriole, lost September 19th, 1S53. Brig Detroit, lost Dec. 22, 1S55, on outer spit. Going out at night. Bark Dodemona, lost Dec. 31st, 1S56. Came in without a pilot, ran on sands six miles inside. four miles inside. Bark Industiy,lost March 16, 18G5, com inc in without a pilot. Bark TV B. Scran ton, lost fav 5th, 1S67. 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 auring tnc time unaer revenv, was the result, not of a rough bar, but of thewind failing after the vessel had crossed thus leaving her to drift on the sands. It also seoms 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 thug () aro known to have lightered jntro tk&& the 'amount credited &iere.v . - l of course there could be no rescue. It is i viti tr wiv fhot lmrl flinrfi bpp.n n. tno- nt nand, every vessel thus far lost on the bar might have heed saved. Since the placing of the tug Astoria upon the bar, or pilot srrounds m 1SU9. there has been no loss, and o . . .... with prwper care on the part ottug and pilots, there need be none for many years to come. These facts warrant us in mak ing the bold assertion, that there is no barr ed harbor known to commerce, where the percentage of loss i& so small ; and few, if any, open harbors that can show so iair 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 lor vessels bound out to anchor, and select from the spot their own time to pas out. Less trouble is experienced from fbs at the Columbia, than either to the north or south, as they are net frequent, and are much less dense, owing, no doubt, to the presence of serial currents, resulting from ncculiar physical conformations. The channel is dhfcinctly 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 oh' the bar. Gov ernment lias also made an appropriation for a lighthouse at Point Atlams, 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 insurance is made up from a knowledge of the actual pro rata of loss incident to a given Oiarbor, 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 i'acts 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 hy 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 2s ew York harbor, being too shallow and rough lor the extensive and profitable employment of all classes of vessels, yettlyu'c 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 carry 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-fourth the agricultural wealth of the State. The committee are under obligations to !Mr. VanDusen, jIr. Hare, Collector of Customs, and the Pilots, for valuable in formation, llespectfully submitted, J. H. J). Gray, A. S. Mekcer, AV."V. Parker, Committee. Astoria, !May 31, 1S73. New Stock of Goods! CLOTHING OP THE BEST STYLES, AND THE VERY BEST QUALITY, AT REASONABLE PRICES. EVERYTHING ELSE IN PROPORTION. At The OSd stand of STJMBEEES. TAKE NOTICE This is an oxtensivo stock of woll selected goods, in great variety, which I am now opening. Old Patrons, Friends and tho community in gonoral, are invited to call and inspect hoth Goods and Prices.' G. SUMMERS, Chenamus street, Astoria, COLUMBIA RIVER PILOTS! P. JOHNSON, H. A. SNOW, P. E. FERCHEN. M. M. GILMAN, G.HEED, C.S. WRIGHT, Agent. KC5 Office Cornor of Main and Chenamus stroots, Astoria, Oregon. EOR CHARTER. Tho sloop HECTOR, Having boon purchased by tho undersigned, will horcafter bo in readiness to carry freight to any accessible point. Tho Hector has good accommodations for keening freight dry and can cany 20,000 feet of lumber. For particu lars. iniuiro of P. .J OllNSON, , Astoria. JTOR CHARTER. Tho fa3t sailing Sloop & W. H. TWILIGHT, II M LOWE Master Is now in roadiness to Charter for Pleas to Parties, Freight or Passengers. Headquarter Corner Main and Jefferson streets, Astoria. ANTED-A SCHOOL TEACHER FOR twu children, at tho house of tho Princi pal Light keeper at Capo Msappointinont. Address. . J. W. MUNSON, JWi2tb,1873.- - '-. CapCJ: ASTORIA ADVERTISEMENTS. Established in. Astoria jut "189.' XEW GOODS. CHEAP GOODS. A. VAN DUSE'JT, "N'holesalo and lletail Dealer in GE NEPvAL MERCHANDISE, Corner of Main and Chenamus striets, ASTORIA, OREGON. TS NOW OFFERING FOR SALE ONE OF JL tho largest and most complete assortments of General Merchandise over before brought to tho country, and to buyers For Cash will offer the Most Flattering Inducements In tho lino of DRY-GOODS, CLOTIfiGSG, HATS, AND 'CAPS, BOOTS AND SHOES FANCY GOODS, LADIES' DRESS GOODS, GENTS' FURNISHINGS, A Complete Stock of Every Article, too numerous to mention. fiSTGivo 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 UUSEX. MRS. A. S. jMERCER, Teacher of Prof. E. A. Rorbins' American ItMfor Piano Farte Alse: Harmony and Thorough baso! ft-iTTho ONLY CONCISE SYSTEM which will stand Artistic Criticism, and furnish the matorial 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 Scicnco of Music xfcd 'Rooms at Residence, Astoria""! Dr. S. KISISEY, DRUGGIST AND APOTHECARY, Astoria, Oregon. PHYSICIANS AND FAMILY PRE8CRTP 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 RRUSHES, ETC., rfc5? Orders from tho Country solicited, and carefully and promptly idled. A. J. DONALDSON. GRANVILLE ItEKD. Donaldson & Reed, Dealers in all kinds of ERESH AND CURED MEATS, CANNED FRUITS, VEGETABLES. FRESH BEEF, PORK, MUTTON, VEAL, HAMS, BACON AND LAfvD, MESS BEEF AND PORK, H3F Constantly on hand. tfsr Special attention paid to supplying ships. Hollnday's wharf, Astoria. H. B. PARKER, Importer and Dealer in Wines, Liquors, Cigars TOBACCO, GROCERIES, PROVISIONS, Etc., Etc. RST ITolladay's "Wharf, Main stroet, Astoria. John W. G-earhart, COAlAEISSION merchant, Chenamus street, Astoria. "Wholcsalo and ltotail Dealor in Hay, Grain and Feed ! A GENERAL ASSORTMENT of Groceries, FLOUR, BACON, HAMS, SHOULDERS. LARD, BUTTER, CHEESE, EGGS, Etc. Motto" Small Profits on Cash Sales." Con signments solicited. tf Oregon Bakery. Main St., (Holladay's Wharf,) Astoria, Oregon. CHARLES HINDER, Proprietor. FRESH BREAD, CAKES, PIES, CRACK ers and Pilot Bread, always on hand. A RESTAURANT Is kept in connection with tho BaJiory, wliere meals can be procured at all uoHrs. iter Oysters in every stylo in tho soason.'tvti Astoria Bakery Corner of Main anl Cass streets, Astoria. HENRY JACOBS Proprietor READ, CRACKERS, PILOT BREAD. Cakos.Grocenes ana itovimohs 01 an Kinus always on hand. Ship storos furnished. T&. Connected with the establishment is a Reading Room. Cigars and Lagor Beer served. PETER H, FOX, MERCHANT TAILOR, Corner of Main and Jefferson isireots, Astoria. rtLQTHIXG OF ALL KINDS CUT' AND W mado to.trier. ClMMbgjTjViJ. 2 ASTORIA ADlERTJSE?n2NTSi Headquarters ! Headquarters ! "VVholcsalo and RotailJDealer in Dry Goods, Clothingntaerie. Provisions, Notions, And General 3ttERCHANDiSE, WISHES TO ANNOUNCE TO THE PUR 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, tho best quality of - CROCKERY, GLASSWARE, HATS AND CAPS, HOOTS AND SHOE& BLANKETS, FLANNELS, xfcc, ... "Which is being offered Cheap FOR CASH or PRODUCE ! rtST Having had years of experience I think I know tho wants of the people, and as this stock is nearer complete, and embraces a GREATER VARIETY than any other stock in Clatsop xrounty, I will guarantee that you will do as well, if not better, by trading with mo than at any other establishment. "?THaving reduced my oxpenses materially of lato 1 propose to givo my customers the benefit of tho reduction, and twiy person who doubts whether I will sell as cheap as any one FOR CASH! can bo convinced by giving mo a call at Headquarters, "Case's Corner," Chena mus street, Astoria. I. V. C. Sn N. ARR1GON1, 'Occident Hotel Block, Astoria Wholesale and Retail Dealer in Ckoice Brand Liquors The Einest in the jtfarket CONSTANTLY ON HAND! Whieh will he sold in lots to suit purchasers OCCIDENT HOTEL, S. N. ARRIGONI. .. Propkietor. Astoria, Oregon. THE BEST FURNISHED, MOST CONVE nient and in every respect popular hotel in Oregon. Owing to its location it is considered A Very DeHghtful Summer Resort. flSTMagnificont Suits of Rooms for families. Tho table is supplied with tho choicest delica cies of tho season. Wino and Billiard Room attached to tho Hotel. Hot, Gold, and Shower Batlis ! AT OCCIDENT HOTEL, HAIR DRESSING SALOON. "WAT. Uiilexii akt PitorniETOHv 3T Special attention paid to LADIES' CHILD KEN'S HAIR CUTTING w" Private Entrance for Ladies "XtU and GLOBE HOTEL. Main Street - - Astoria, Oregon. N.KOEEOED, PROPRIETOR. This House has boon refitted and nowly fur nished in tho neatest manner, uml guests will lind all thoir comfoits woll attended to. Tho Tablo always supplied with the beat of tho sejison that tho markot affords. wr Those who desire to have a good square meal go to the (J lobe. Terms moderato. HENRY BERENDESf Fashionable BOOT MA1CER! Chenamus street, Astoria, Oi'cgon. K& Manufactures to order tho best quality of Boots and Shoes Repairing of all kinds "a COiIEWcYPGiiltry A J MEGLER, Chenamus street M MEYERS' ASTORIA BREWERY! ITAVINCr ALL THE MACHINERY NEC i. essary for lirstclass work,skilltul Brewers amd using none but tho best quality of materi als, tho Proprietor is prepared to Manufacture IiAGER BEER ! Ih any quantity, from a Singlo Bottlo to a BARUEL, 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, Pi op'r Astoria Market. Chenamus Street Astoria. IIOBRON fc WARREN, Wholesale und Retail Dealers in all kinds of Fresh and Cured Meats! Butter, Eggs, Cheese, Hams, Bacon and Lard! Canned Fruits and Vegetables, Constantly on hand. s&r Ships supplied at lowest rates: Hi A; SHAW & SON, House, Sign and Steamboat Painters Astoria Oregon. " GrainingjPaper-liangiiig and Glazing Done to -rder with Neatn'es? andDispatch. EstaiilisW 1867, Hemlock TAHNERY ! 6.LEINEN WEBER. n. jjkowx. JPb oss. 3 MaAttK4.a)l &a Baths! ifciSSir Baths tsr i.l -. -rm- - .