Cz7
Tri-Weekly Astorian
j
ASTORIA, OREGON:
IS. G. IKEiA3n Editor.
SATURDAY Oct, 25, 1873
The steamer Annie Stewart "arriv
ed too late "Wednesday evening for
us to more than announce the recep
tion here of a party of excursionists
from Albany. A pany of farmers
and fanners wives, who came to see
for themselves what sort of a place
Astoria is. They were received here
'by Col. James Taylor, Gen. Adair,
Mr. T. P. Powers, and other citizens,
and were made to feel themselves
11 at home" so far as possible by all.
Thursday morning they proceeded to
rape Disappointment, and Fort Stev
ens, by the steam tug Varuna, at
ach of which places they were en
tertained and shown around by JMaj.
JTrank G. Smith, Lieut. Bloom, Mr.
and Mrs. Munson, at the Cape, and
by Messrs. Moore.-and Allen, and
Lieut. Leary at Fort Stevens Col.
Miller being absent from home. Re
turning to Astoria the steamer took
the party up to the farmer's wharf,
where any who wished to do so had
the privilege of driving a spike or so
in this very desirable improvement.
None accepted this proposition of
Capt. Gray with more spirit than
Mrs..M. Luper, of Albany, an event
which was pcrhajjs the first practical
demonstration of the sympathies of
the opposite sex-in this movement, if
iot the first in any like enterprise
n the coast, 'where woman has tak
en up the sledge in support of her
better half in his efforts to secure for
himself and her that protection from
the now producing classes that will
lighten his burdens of taxation -and
"place him more certainly on the
road to prosperity. The incident
was heartily applauded.
Thursday evening the Court house
was lighted and warmed, and a large
gathering of citizens met the excur
sionists at the Court room where the
bubjeets which had brought them to
gether were rcely discussed and a
mutual exchange of good feeling and
friendship was the result.
Yesterday was spent in visiting
prominent places of public interest
about the city, and in the evening
'Spiritual Hall was thrown opp.n, and
with good music, a cheerful company
spent the evening in the giddy mazes
of the dance. The excursionists re
itirn to Albany to-day, all feeling
veil repaid to the time and money
uxpen&cU on the trip.
At' d meeting of the excursionists
"held yesterday at the rooms of the
Farmers' Company in Brown's build
ing, the following preamble and reso
lutions were adepted:
Wiieheas, We, the citizens of Linn
Count' Oregon, .having just complet
ed an examination of the harbor and
surroundings of Astoria and are con--inced
beyond a reasonable doubt
of the following named facts; there
fore. Resolved, 1st. That in our opinion
there is good harbor facilities for the
largest class of sea going vessels at
Astoria.
2d. That the depth of water on the
Columbia river bar, (24 feet at lowest
and 34 feet at high tide), is sufficient
to admit tiie largest and more profit
able class of grain vessels.
31. That the cost per ton freight,
on wheat or other comoditv from As
toria to Liverpool should not be great
er thai! from San Francisco to the
same point.
4th. That the rate of insurance
from the Columbia river should not
( be greater than from San Francisco.
5th. That the true policy of the
wheat producers of Oregon should be
:..idis, to place their grain at tide
water within their own State borders.
Gth. Resolved, That the press o
Oregon be requested to publish these
resolutions.
They were each presented with
c jpies of the following report, which
they unanimously enderse:
The water front of Astoria varying
i om a quarter of a mile to a mile in width
HiTords over bix miles of fcccure anchorage
i r the largest clawed vessels, in from six to
twelve fathoms of water. !No storms have
ytit 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 fivK consecutive miles of dock
age 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.
About six miles above Astoria, at the com
mencement of Cathlamcnt bay is the
1 hogVback.' a bar some quarter of a mile
in length, with ten feet of water at low and
seventeen feet at high tide. This is the
most dangerous point on the river, and the
most skillful pilots rarely attempt it pas
sage 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 Cathlamct bay is
ten miles long up and down the river, and
from s6vcn 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 loo-e sand into irregular
bars that change their position from year
to year, and make dredging uele.-s.
Steamers arc nearly always detained at
Astoria, for tide to cross "this bar.
" Tlu bar ha been
known for years, but as the draft of steam
ers and vessels now coming intojthc river
is greater than formerly, the cumoulties
are becoming more and more apparent.
Above this we have the following named
depths of wafer at the points mentioned
at high tide:
Wnlker's Island. 18 ft.for; mile below Rainier
Carr's Woody ard 17 " " above- "
Kalama IS " J "
St. Helen lft.for "
Mouth Wallamot" 4 ,l fc
Post Office 15 VQ "
Swan island... 15 "
The channel is often crooked, and diffi
cult of navigation, and the bar at the
mouth of the "Willamette riyer is subject
to annual depo-U 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 SSper
.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 ton? capacity. Expenses would
then beasibllews:
Pilotaso K feet ? up ..'. $ 04
1 " " down 64
Sir days demurrage (iu 6oU 350
Towage up 17o
down 12"
Total S7tsS
Equivalent-to over four cents per bushel
on the cargo of 000 tons outwaid 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 lind the average draft of all
vessels now in u-e, ranging between 1,000
and 1,200 tons, to be 20)1 ieet, and the
average cf all larger ones but 2VA 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 ve.-scl ot 3,000 tons can ahva3Ts
come to Astoria, whatever the stage of
water. Thu, -with a point higher up on
the river, the export tradv must forever be
carried on in small vessels, while from
here the shipping of the world may com
pote for freight.
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 iigure
fully demenstrate: -
Or, a dividend of 19 per cent, on co.-t 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 ve-sel; that i, 20 cents
against 45 cents per bushel. Add to this
the cost a-, above ligured, incidental to
delays 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, vi.: 5,000,000 bushed, gives the
snug little sum of $1,000,000 that the firm
er should have tor his, labor. The above
ligures are all substantially correct, and
tell their own story.
It may be said that several large vessels
have loaded at Portland, but the Custom
House rccoids show that of the twenty
vessels named below, comprising all the
vessels of any size that have sailed from
the river with wheat, from a fourth to
over one-half of the cargro was brought
down to Astoria- in steamboats and here
put on board. And yet these records are
more iavorable to the city of Portland
than the tacts justify, for the reason that
in a number of instances, two or three
hundred tons was cleared from the Port
land Custom House as being on board
when in fact it was in lighters and steam
ers alongside of the .ship, and towed down
to Astoria before being placed on the ves
sel. List of vessels exporting wheat from
Oregon, showing amount of bushels taken
on at Astoria and Pertland:
Crop ok lb72.
1S72
Ships.
,05
to
July 11..
Oct. 11..
' 11..
" 14..
' 11..
Nov. 7..
" If
" 21..
" 80..
Annie M. Smull
Manilla
Navigator
Llectra
Lock Dee.
Siaiu
Forward, (bbls of flourj,
UpcI l)onr
7,1)71
l.",22;
7I3JI
7,7:4
:7!)4
7.17.3
l,7i)$
10,177
20,032
34,i!)7
42,4 2
14,021
20,(i22
22,177
M,353
2'J,i)b7
- 3,200
iGrasmere
j2(j,50l
2o,oo
22,400
17,170
21,755
14,800
31,(54
33,003
30,000
35.GS0
30,039
32,083
24,342
Dec. 11..
44 17..
11 18..
1878.
Jan. l'L
Feb.- 1..
44 8..
44 17..
44 20..
March 8
44 10
44 14
Zouave
Naworth
Channel Light
2,50"
8,4yo
9,fi2o
14,8S0
11,573
1,250
8,S12
J,0i5
7,705
3,828
Victoria Nyanza.....
Whittington..,
Felix Mendelsohn...
Sarah Scott
R os well Spraguo
Illiono
Carribou
Victoria Cross.
Vessels marked thus () aro known to have
-lightered mere than the amount credited
shore.
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 live hun
dred a year for the last twenty-one years,
or since 1S52V The following is a com
plete list of all the losses or wrecks that-
have occurred on the bar since 1852, which
year"imry be eonsidered .the beghming.of
wisdo.-n as regaid.s the channels, currents',
&e.oii or about the bar.
Barks IMendora, and "Mlerrithew, lost
January 12th, 1S53, 'came in without
pilots, wind failed after getting in, and
they drifted a-hore.
liark Oriole, lost September 19th, 1853.
Brig Detroit, lost Dec. 22, 1855,- on outer
spit. Going out at night.
Bark Desdemona, Tost Dec. 3isi, 1S5G.
Came in without a pilot, ran on sands six
miles iiibide.
Schooner Woodpecker lost May 10, 1SU1,
four j n iies inside.
Bark lndustry,lo:?t March 1C, 1SG5, com
ing hvwithout a pilot.
BarkAV. B. Scranton, lost "May 5th,
1SG7.
Only eight vessels in twenty-one years.
Eight out of 10,500. One out 01 1,312, or
one-thirteenth of one per cent, oithe ship
ping coming into the river.
Of this number, four were coming in
without pilots. It hither appears that near
ly every lossduiing the time under reveiw,
was tlfe result, not of a rough bar, but of
the wind failing alter the vessel had crossed
thus leaving her to diift on the sands. It"
also seems that each loss of vessels comihg
in occurred when they were sailing against
the tide, instead of with it. '
There being no tug to go to their relief,
of course there couid be no fescue. It is
safe to say that, had there been a tug at
hand, every vessel thu& far lost on the bar
might have been saved. Since the placing
ofthe tug Astoiia upon the bar, -or pilot
grounds in 18JlJ, there has been no loss, and
with proper care on the part of tug and
pilots, there need be none for many years
to come. Tke.sf facts warrant us in mak
ing the bold assertion, that there is 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 arc such, and the .land marks to
well defined, that at a time when it is un
safe to cross the bar. vessels outside can
readily keep oil', and wait a suitable time
to enter. And there is good holding
groundsjbut 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 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 aerial current, resulting from
peculiar physical conformations. The
channel is distinctly bucryed out, and
lighted by a iirst class, light-house on Cape
Disappointment, where is established a
life saving station by Government, with
a few of tiie needed 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'naxed by underwriters far above
the propur 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 harbor, when such
data is to be hacl, 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 le-a
than is now imposed. The
question is now never raised about andy
ilook bar, at the entrance of Tew York
harbor, being too shallow and rough ' ibr
the extensive and profitable employment
of all classes of vessels, yet there is iive feet
more water on the Columbia river bar at
high tide, than there is on Sandy Hook at
a corresponding stage of water.
TLis excursion was only prelimi
nary to another one, to come oil' this
winter on completion of the Farmers'
wharf and the opening of it for busi
ness. At that time it is proposed, to
come down 200 strong all the way by
steamer from Albany, and the same
boat will bring the first cargo of
wheat direct from the Albany ware
houses to the Astoria dock, ready for
export direct to Europe.
Nearly every State that has held
a convention-for the revision of its
Constitution, since Illinois set the ex
ample, is either discussing, or has
decided to adopt proportional or mi
nority representation. It is recog
nized as a manifest improvement in
the plan of republican government,
securing to all parties a hearing, and
compelling them to put their best
men into the field for ollice, if they
expect success. It is a vital and
growing principle, destined in the
end to universal acceptance.
A letter from Sumatra says tiie
expedition to Acheen, to take place
in October, will consist of a fleet of
thirty ships and steamers, and from
12,000 to 15,000 men. There will
probably be hard fighting on the
first landing, and perhaps some heavy
loss of life in the first expedition, but
the enemy will find out that they
cannot stand against mitrailleuses
and breech-loaders.
a.-igsaggiagygJ.L s i .. . ar
.11- 31
7srA-RKnsi;
At Sortfc Brookuclditf as?., Oct. 9th, by Rev.
G. JI. DeBevpiso' Mit. Joseph G. Msolkr, of
Astoria, to UIiss Xi:llie!E. Smith, of Xorth
Brookfldil. . ,
-jiiS"VY" ADVERTISEMENTS.
Public Notice.
NOTICE IS IlEliEBY GIVEX TO ALL
Xh whom it jnr.y, concern. That I hereby
warn all person from inteifcringin my atfairs
or wit 11 my wards, the .Minor heirs of Alfred
Crosby docehsfed. And I hereby warn all per
sons that I will prosecute all persons hereafter
iiiteiferic in she matter to the full extent of
the law. KUTI I . ll'K KlteON
Guardian of the Minor heirs
Uf Al. Crosby Deceased.
Astoria Oct. 2 1th 1S7-?. oc lotf
P. J. MAKTi:;. KDW. MA11TIS. . V. B. HKX.V1UE.
E.MM.TIU &C0.5
. , Tortlcmd, Oregorij
Aiid San Francisco, California.
Importers and Dealers in
FDTE
Brandies,. Wmesji Liquors!
Proprietors of the Celebrated
MiLLER'S. EXTRA OLD BGIBH WHISKEY !"
Sole Agents for the
J. P. CUTTER WHISKY.
HEIjTNjESSY AND MARXEL BRANDIES,
In Bulk and Case, (bonded or duty paid),
; ad
All Goods Pertaining to the Trade.
Q. S. N. Co.'s Block, Portland,
oc'23tf 4(W Front St., San Francisco.
Sam. M. Smith,
Cor. First and Ash sts., Portland.
' DlfUG'GXST.
AS JUST RECEIVED A PULL SI'OCK
of
PAINTS AND OILS,
iCalsoftiine Putty,
(Assorted Colors),
Painiand Whitewash BRUSHES,
IVLAED, OIL, ALCOnOL,
Kerosene, Turpentine, Etc,
-TGonuino Bay Rum.'rn o21tf
Dancing Academy,
Masonic Hail, Astoria, Oregon
Tuesday, Thursday,Safrday
mil?: VXDERSTGXED, PUPIL OF PROF.
jl Charles ( ardinoll, will open a School for
dancing at Masonic Hall, Astoria,
Tuesday .November 4th, 1S73.
Classes will ho so arranged as to recoiv.o in
structions throo times a week, with a Soiree
Sa turday evenings. For particulars, call upon
or address: F. TERM AN,
oc21tf Astoria, Oregon
J'AMBS IF. WBIjCII,
TEAMSTER.
Ofnco at J. "W. Gear-hart's Store, Astoria.
OftDERS LEFT WITH MR. GEARHART
' for any kind of Teaming, will he promptly
attended to, ood of all kinds constantly on
hand. . Orders solicited. octf
BURD.ETT ORGAN
Isp
G. L. DkPrass, Dear Sir ThoBur
dett Organ that I tried at your house
SUITS ME
BETTER TITAN ANY OTHER
KEE3) ISTS'MMJaEBX'ff
I EVER HEARD. There is a variety
and weetacss of tone in these instru
ments unsurpassed, in my opinion,
and
Tiicir E'OTpnlsiriiy
Is very EASILY ACCOUNTED, for-
FRANK GILDER.
(The eminont American Pianist),
Mad. Anna Bishop Concert Troupe.
HI
3
&3
BUEDST-T ORGAN
SEND FOR CIRCULARS BEFORE YOU
PURCHASE, TO
6BATS MIC . STORE !'
G. JL. TePRASrS,3Ianagcv,
Odd Fellows' Temple, Portland. .
siutf
Canon Creek Laundry
Jefferson street, Portland,
O. AL PATTEKSON Proprietor.
WORK OF EVERY KIND done to order
and satisfaction guaranteed. Linen, etc
from a distance, neatly returned through mes
sengers on the various steamers of the Colum
bia river, sl
NOTICE. The public aro herobv notified
that the undersigned has purchased the
rnsh liouso business of Hung Loo, corner of
Chenamus and Main streets, Astoria, but Will
pay nono of Hung Leo's debts. LEE VAli
Astoria, Oct. 14, 187.:. 0c21t
- mn
AUCTIONEERS.
A. B. mCHAKDSO.W S. I. N. GILUAS.
A- B. Richardson.;
AUCTIWXEEK Corner of Front and Cnkste.,
lortland, Oregon. Auction ales of Rejrl
.stato, Groceries, General Merchandise a:-.d
.Houses, bales Wednesday and Saturday.
fiSTLarso assortment of Groceries, Liqncr,
etc., at Private Sale. Liberal.Hdvances mado
on consignments. A.lJ.IilCllAlUOX
Charles S- Wright,
ATJCTIONEER-Cor of Main and Chenamu:
btreets, Astoria. booKs received on eoni"n-
nient and sold to the highest bidder.
Oscar Kilbcunij
AUCTION EElt-Omce 40 Fiist st., Portland.
PROFESSIONAL CABDS.
"YnL L. McEWAN,
RESIDENT ATTOENET)
Astoria, Oregon.
HE2TRY S. AIKEN,
NOTARY PUBLIC,
ASTORIA, OREGON,
H. B. PARKER,
JUSTICE OF TIIE PEACE,
ASTORIA, OREGOX,
ffff" Always TSeady for BusinosgO'-vn
A. YAN DUSEN,
- NOTARY PUBLIC,
Astoria, Op.kgox.
DR. S. W. DODD,
'PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON.
ASTORIA, OREGON.
GEORGB H.DURHAM-. II. Y. THOMFS.ON-
DURIIAM & THOMPSON,
Attorneys at Law, Portland.
Office 10!) First Street, opposito Occidental
Hotel. uul
M. E. ATULKEY,
ATTORNEY AT LAW - Portland.
Office, in Pittock's Building, Corner Front
and Stark sts., 'up Stairs). si j
CAPLES & MOEELAND,
Attorneys at Law, Portland, Oregon
Office in Pittock's Building, Corner of Frunt
and Stal-k streets, (up Stairs). sld
II. H. NORTHUP,
ATTORNEY AT LA,
(Register in Bankruptcy),
ffick In Holmes' Building, Portland.
. O. P. MASON,
ATTORNEY AT LA"W,
. PORTLAND, OREGON.
fiGF" Land Cases and Titles a sp ccialty.'S'a
Bu. A. D. ELLIS,
PHYSICIAN AND SURGEON
Office on Stark Street, Portland, Oregon
KRUMBIEN & GILBERT,
ARCHITECTS AND DRAUGHTSMEN,
IA .fcLVJL'UlWs -UAUllAiSGE,
Crco's Building Portland, Oregon.
tf5Tho Best Counsel; the Best Draughs
men; the Best Model Workmen, and best
Patent Agent at Washington; the only reliable
place to get your intentions put through in
short notice.
Badger's Music Store
! t Sole Agency for the
JLeiuimjr Icistvuiiicitts of tiie "Worlrt
HALLETT, DAYIS & GO.'
PIANOS!
POWERFULLY CONSTRUCTED, Highly
A finished and elegantly designed. Acknowl
edged by tho greatest living" Pianists Liszt
liubenstein and Leutner to be tho most re
markable Pianos in existanco for 'owor
JSweotne.-'S, Duiability, Brilliancy and Perfec
tion of Touch
GKOE&I WOOD'S &C0:
' (Boston)
"Wonderful Cabinet,
. -ORGANS!
The most imnortnnh invention of fhn rlnv on-
'pable of producing immense power, as lrell as
every snaua oc ueiicate musical expression.
B3T Call and examine before purchasing..
"W. K. BADGER,
No. 113 Third Street, (near the Postoffice",
Portland, Oregon.
Patronize Home Manufactures.
AIJtfSIiEY & DAVIDSON,
Manufacturers and Dealers in
Doors, Sash, Blinds, Frames, Shutters, Brackets,
And all kinds of Scroll Sawing.
Having the best facilities and the latest im
pioved wood workingmachinery for the manu
facture of tho abovo articles, can offer superior
inducements to customers, 'and at San Fran
cisco prices, at Nicolai Bros' Mill.
Also, best quality of Seasoned Cedar Lunir.
per, Ceiling, Rustic and Mouldings. Wood
Turning in all its branches, BaUusters, Newell
Posts, Billiard Balls, Croquet Sets, etc., at
NICOLAI BROS.' MILL AND FAOiORY.
Cor Second and E Streets, Portland.
EL Trenkmann,
s
LACKSMITH AND TOOL MAKER and
1 manufacturer of of all kinds of
Plaining, Moulding, and Turning Tools,
Saws of all kinds Straightened and Rernircd,
and all kinds of Saw Teeth mado and repaired
and saws turned and straightened. Orders at
tended to promptly. Jl. TRENKMANN,
uul&tf 40 Front st, lortland ,