There is but one bridge across the channels within a radius of 2 miles from Wilmington. This is located 1.5 miles above the mouth. of the Northeast Branch, and is a four-span steel-lift, railroad bridge with a center span of 95 feet. The clear height of the lowest point of supporting structure above mean low water is 9 feet; but the bridge is opened for boats at any time. It is owned by the Wilmington Railway Bridge Co., and was constructed in 1916. There are six other bridges from 26 to 56 miles above the mouth of Northeast Branch, all of which are opened for boats. On Black River there are six bridges located from 14 to 53 miles above the mouth, 5 of which are opened for boats. On the Northwest Branch there is one bridge located 36 miles above the mouth near Navassa. For detailed information in regard to these bridges see table below.

HARBOR IMPROVEMENTS BY THE UNITED STATES.

Cape Fear River, at and below Wilmington, N. C.-The original project for the improvement of the harbor at Wilmington was adopted by the river and harbor act of March 2, 1829. Several additional improvements have subsequently been made.

The existing project provides for a channel 400 feet wide and 30 feet deep across the ocean bar, and 300 feet wide and 26 feet deep up the river to Wilmington. The project provides at Wilmington an anchorage basin 2,000 feet long, 900 feet wide at the upper end, 1,100 feet wide at the lower end, with approaches 1,500 feet long at either end. In June, 1924, the project was about 51 per cent completed with the following results accomplished: A channel 26 feet deep and 160 feet to 400 feet wide across the ocean bar, and 300 feet wide in the river channels to Wilmington. The anchorage basin at Wilmington has been dredged to a depth of 26 feet and dams have been built across the mouth of the river known as New Inlet, and across breaches from the river to the ocean between Smith's and Zeke's Islands. The controlling depth of the channel at mean low water is 25 feet.

Cape Fear River above Wilmington.-The first project for the improvement of this section of the river was undertaken under the authority of the river and harbor act of March 3, 1881.

The existing project provides for a navigable depth of 8 feet at low water from Wilmington to the head of navigation at Fayetteville, 115 miles above, by the construction of two locks and dams, and by dredging the river shoals between Wilmington and Fayetteville. Lock and Dam No. 1 is located at Kings Bluff, 39 miles above Wilmington, and Lock and Dam No. 2 at Browns Landing, 71 miles above Wilmington. These locks have a usable length of 240 feet, and a depth on the miter sills of 9 feet at low water.

In June, 1924, the project was about 95 per cent completed with the following results accomplished: Lock No. 1 and Lock No. 2 completed; channel depths of 7 feet from Wilmington to Lock No. 1, 5 feet to Lock No. 2, and 24 feet to Fayetteville.

Black River. The existing and only project for the improvement of this section provided for clearing the natural channel and banks and cutting off sharp bends to Clear Run, a distance of 66 miles. This project was adopted in 1886 and completed in 1895.

PUBLIC TERMINAL IMPROVEMENTS.

Public terminal improvements at Wilmington consist of seven wharves at street frontages owned by the city.

OWNERSHIP OF WATER FRONT.

The seven wharves owned by the city at street ends occupy a total frontage of 350 feet. These wharves are of timber construction and are open to all free of charge. The city has recently purchased from the United States Shipping Board, the Liberty Shipyard at Wilmington which will be converted into a municipal terminal.

The United States Engineer Department has one wharf with a frontage of 302 feet, and the Coast Guard has one wharf with a frontage of 336 feet. These wharves have no mechanical handling facilities and are used by Government boats only.

The remaining piers and wharves are owned by private companies, individuals, and railroads.