24.

NORFOLK HARBOR, VA.

General BEACH. That report was submitted under date of March

The harbor of Norfolk is one of the most important harbors in the country, and the business has outgrown the ability. What is desired is increased depth in some of the channels.

The southern and eastern branches of the Elizabeth River are shown here [indicating on map], this being the lower end of Norfolk Harbor. This is the eastern branch and this is the southern branch of the Elizabeth River.

This part of the harbor of Norfolk has a channel 40 feet deep and 750 feet wide [indicating on map]. The 40-foot channel extends up the southern branch with a general width of 750 feet to the Belt Line bridge, about 1 miles, which is at this point [indicating. on map].

Above this, there is a channel project of a depth of 25 feet, and a width of 300 feet to a point about 1,000 feet above the Virginian Railroad bridge. The distance between these two bridges is about a mile and a half. Then, it has a channel project 22 feet deep with a width of 200 feet to the Norfolk & Western Railroad bridge, which. is a further distance of 2 miles.

Above the latter bridge, the river forms a part of the intracoastal. waterway from Norfolk to Beaufort with a channel project of a depth of 12 feet up above, or south in this case.

Local interests desire a channel in the southern branch 30 feet deep between the Belt Line and the Virginian Railroad bridges, and 28 feet deep between the latter and the Norfolk & Western Railroad. bridge, together with a straightening of the channel lines.

You can see that this portion of the channel [indicating] is very crooked, there being a very bad turn at this point [indicating].

In 1922 the commerce of the southern branch amounted to about 800,000 tons, 543,000 tons pertaining to the section we are now considering between the belt line bridge and the Norfolk & Western Railroad bridge.

During the same period the intracoastal waterway carried 514,000tons, some of which belong to the terminals on this portion of the river. The amounts can not be exactly separated, however.

The district engineer reports that two large oil plants, which receive oil by water, and have pumping facilities, are located between the two upper bridges in this section [indicating]. It is claimed that increased costs to the oil consumers results from delay and the rehandling caused by inadequate depth.

Eleven fertilizer plants are located on the southern branch, four being below the Virginian Railroad bridge and seven above that bridge. Most of their raw materials are received on ocean steamers, for which the present depth in the upper section is inadequate.

The district engineer considers a straightening of the channel advisable and recommends a channel 30 feet deep and 450 feet wide between the two lower bridges, and a channel 25 feet deep and 200 feet wide in this section [indicating on map] at an estimated cost of $449,000.

The division engineer considers a width of 375 feet sufficient for the 30-foot channel, but otherwise concurs with the district engineer

The cost of the improvement as proposed by him is cut down to $392,000.

The eastern branch shown here [indicating] is provided with a channel 25 feet deep and 500 feet wide, up to the Norfolk & Western bridge, at this point, about 1 mile, and a channel 22 feet deep and 500 feet wide for a further distance of one-half mile to the bridge shown here [indicating].

Local interests desire a deeper channel above this bridge, and also up in here [indicating]. Under the wording of the act consideration can be given only to the section between the Norfolk & Western bridge and the Virginian Railway bridge, which is at this point [indicating on map].

So that it is impossible for us to give consideration to the portion above that, or to the portion below here [indicating], which they desire to have made deeper than the present project.

The CHAIRMAN. Under the wording of what act?

General BEACH. Under the act ordering the preliminary examination and survey.

The CHAIRMAN. I see.

General BEACH. And I would state that though they desire this deepened to a depth of 30 feet, they say that they will be very glad to accept the recommendation which has been made by my office.

I report that Norfolk occupies an important position among the seaports of the United States and has a constantly growing commerce. Most economical points for industrial lines are in sections of the harbor about which we have just been speaking. Already a considerable commerce has developed on the southern branch and the existing channel depths have been proved inadequate for its economic control or for the movement of the commerce now seeking a locality. Existing plants are handicapped by lack of channel depth in the eastern branch.

I therefore report that the further improvement of Norfolk Harbor is deemed advisable, and the recommendation for a channel 30 feet deep at mean low water and 375 feet wide from the upper end of the 40-foot channel at the Belt Line Railroad bridge to the Virginian Railroad bridge, through this section, and then 25 feet deep and generally 200 feet wide to the Norfolk & Western Railroad bridge; and in the eastern branch a channel 25 feet deep at mean low water, and 200 feet wide from the upper end of the present 25-foot channel at that point to the Virginian Railway bridge at that point [indicating] following in general the lines proposed by the district engineer, at a total of $541,000 for both improvements.

Mr. SEGAR. Is that taking the lesser cost recommended in this lower branch?

General BEACH. Yes, sir; it cuts it down by about $1,000.

Mr. SEGAR. In what way does that connect with the inland waterways?

General BEACH. The inland waterway comes down here [indicating]. Here is the Albemarle & Chesapeake Canal right in there [indicating on map].

Mr. MANSFIELD. How much of that harbor now has a depth of 40 feet?

General BEACH. Down to this point [indicating], and none in the eastern branch.

Doctor KINDRED. What is that called locally?

General BEACH. Which point?

Doctor KINDRED. The point where the 40 feet ends.
General BEACH. It is the Belt Line Railroad bridge.

Mr. MANSFIELD. As I understand the 40-foot depth is not for commerce but for naval purposes principally?

General BEACH. It goes beyond the navy yard. The navy yard is here [indicating on map]; and it goes beyond that a little distance. Doctor KINDRED. Then it is for both, is it not; it is for both naval and commercial purposes?

General BEACH. Yes, sir.

Mr. MANSFIELD. What I meant, it was not necessary for commercial purposes?

General BEACH. I think you will find that the largest and deepest vessels come down into that portion of the harbor [indicating].

Mr. DEAL. Some of the larger fertilizer factories we have in the South are situated just at the Belt Line Railroad bridge and they bring the largest ships in there that they have coming into the harbor. I would like to call attention to the fact that this Government owns all the property up to Julian Creek, all the property on the west side of the channel.

The CHAIRMAN. And they own some of the east side of the channel, too?

Mr. DEAL. Yes; right here opposite the navy yard. I want to call attention to the fact that this whole property up to St. Julians Creek, on which the magazine is located, is owned by the Government.

The CHAIRMAN. Is that used by the Government for any purpose besides the magazine?

Mr. DEAL. They are not using all of it now, no; they just come in around the main line here [indicating]. This is not yet being used, but I call attention to the fact that it is there and probably will be used.

The CHAIRMAN. Well, General Beach, you are of the opinion that these depths will give an enlarged commerce for the benefit of the locality and of the country generally?

General BEACH. Yes, sir. We in our office, Mr. Chairman, take the position that these improvements are to a certain extent-in fact, almost entirely-matters of investment by the General Government. and that they must show an adequate return in order to justify a favorable recommendation, and I think that there is every reason to believe that this improvement would result in a very large dividend. The CHAIRMAN. I think we can dispose of one more project before lunch.

General BEACH. I have another one about the same locality, the improvement of the channel from Old Point to Newport News, Va., which is really a part of Norfolk Harbor.

CHANNEL FROM OLD POINT TO NEWPORT NEWS, VA.

General BEACH. The report on this project, channel from Old Point to Newport News, Va., was submitted in December, 1922. This is an extension, or rather an enlargement, of the existing channel 35 feet deep and 600 feet wide at mean low water at Hampton Roads, with deep water at James River running over a bar.

It is desired by naval interests and commercial interests of the country generally to have this channel increased in depth to 40 feet. Mr. McDUFFIE. What is the present channel depth, General? General BEACH. Thirty-five feet. Here is the map showing Hampton Roads, which has a depth of 50 feet, and 54 feet in here [indicating], and James River at this portion has a depth of 58 to 73 feet [indicating on map].

The present channel is dredged to a 35-foot depth through here [indicating], and it is desired that it be increased to 40 feet.

The reason for that is, the Newport News Shipbuilding & Dry Dock Co. operates one of the largest shipyards in the United States, with modern facilities for the construction and repair of vessels of all sizes.

There were but two docks in the whole country where the Leviathan could be taken care of when it was recently remodeled and turned back from a troopship into a passenger vessel. This was practically the only yard that could undertake the work.

The CHAIRMAN. Is that a private yard or a public yard?
General BEACH. A private yard, sir. The report on this says:

The value of this plant to the United States is indicated by the great number of naval and merchant vessels which have been built there, and by the saving which is being made at present in the conditioning of the steamship Leviathan, The utility of this plant as a national asset in peace and war is limited by the depth of channel available. To remove the difficulties and risk attendant upon the passage of the larger vessels now entering the harbor, and to make the shipyard facilities available for such craft, a channel depth of 40 feet is needed. The provision of such a channel would also open to deep-draft ships a large anchorage in the James River, where protection from storms would be afforded, as well as ready access to repair and supplies.

The present channel can not at all times be navigated with reasonable safety by large ships on account of its limited dimensions, hard bottom, and cross-tidal currents. In attempting passage, several vessels have become unmanageable and have grounded due to these conditions.

When the Leviathan was taken in, we took the vessel in at slack tide, just following high water.

Mr. McDUFFIE. What is the draft of the Leviathan?

General BEACH. About 38 feet.

Mr. McDUFFIE. Then it is always necessary to have a little depth in addition to that?

General BEACH. Yes.

Doctor KINDRED. What does she draw?

General BEACH. My impression is about 38 feet.
The CHAIRMAN. What is the cost of this project?

General BEACH. $714,000.

The CHAIRMAN. Can you say it is asked by the Navy?

General BEACH. And commercial interests of the country generally. The CHAIRMAN. But the Navy has asked for it?

General BEACH. The Navy is very much interested in it also; yes, sir.

The CHAIRMAN. But it is at the request of the commercial interests that the engineers are recommending the project?

General BEACH. Yes, sir; and we also recommend it as a means of enabling the Government to have the fullest service of that largest shipbuilding plant in the country.

TENNESSEE RIVER FROM DAM NO. 2 TO FLORENCE BRIDGE

You adopted a clause yesterday with regard to the construction of Dam No. 1 at Muscle Shoals. I have a wording here this morning which I would like, with the consent of the committee, to substitute for that which was given yesterday. It is the same in substance, but I think that the wording is a little bit better. It reads as follows:

Tennessee River from Dam No. 2 to Florence Bridge, Ala., in accordance with the report submitted in House Document No. 1262, Sixty-fourth Congress, first session: Provided, That funds for the prosecution of this work may be allotted from appropriations heretofore or hereafter made by Congress for the improvement, preservation, and maintenance of rivers and harbors.

That does not mention Dam No. 1 specifically. This would cover any other work necessary to be done, and provides for Dam No. 1 also.

Mr. Chairman, I believe I would like to have the opinion of the committee as to what other improvements they desire to take up.

NORFOLK HARBOR (THIMBLE SHOALS), VA.

Mr. DEAL. I would like to ask General Beach what is the situation in reference to Thimble Shoals. What is the status of the Thimble Shoals Channel?

General BEACH. I will read from page 474 of the report, as follows: The condition at the end of the fiscal year: The 35-foot channel was completed in 1914. The 40-foot channel was about 82 per cent completed at the end of the fiscal year, and it resulted in a channel 34 feet deep at mean low water for the full project width of 750 feet, within the limits of which was a channel about 200 feet wide and 38 feet deep at mean low water, which was the controlling depth from the width stated at the last examination of the shoal in June, 1923.

We are constantly working on it.

Mr. DEAL. It has not been completed?
General BEACH. No, sir.

Mr. DEAL. But you are working on it?

General BEACH. Yes, sir; we are working on it constantly.

Mr. SEGER. Mr. Chairman, are you inclined to have an afternoon session to-day?

The CHAIRMAN. General Beach, do you think we could complete these projects Monday without any trouble if we did not have an afternoon session to-day?

General BEACH. Mr. Chairman, I will have to ask to be excused at 3 o'clock this afternoon, as I have orders to attend a conference at the office of the Secretary of War at that time.

The CHAIRMAN. Then, suppose we sit until 3 o'clock this after

noon.

BAYOU LA BATRE, ALA.

Mr. McDUFFIE. Mr. Chairman, I have a little project here, and, with the General's permission, if it meets with the approval of the committee, I would like to submit it. It is a very small project, and one in which the Chief of Engineers did not agree with the board and the district and division engineers. This is the bayou La Batre, Ala., project, involving an expenditure of only $20,000, half of which is to be paid by the local authorities. I was just