USA > Pennsylvania > The Register of Pennsylvania : devoted to the preservation of facts and documents and every other kind of useful information respecting the state of Pennsylvania, Vol. IX > Part 39
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bard street, from Thirteenth street be paved, which were referred to the Paving Committec.
Mr. PETITT called up for consideration the ordinance relative to the cording of wood, &c. which wasagreed to, and passed by the Select Council, but was amended in Common Council.
COMMON COUNCIL .- Mr. OKIE as chairman of the committee of accounts, made the following report, which was adopted.
The committee of accounts beg leave to report, that they have examined the accounts of the city treasurer for the quarter of the year ending, 31st Dec. last, to- gether with his accounts with Dr. Benj. Franklin's and John Scott's Legacies for the same period, and compared the same with the respective books of ac- counts, bank books and other vouchers, all of which they have found to be correct.
Mr. MAYBERRY presented petitions praying that Schuylkill Fifth street from Market to Race, and Fil- bert street, from Schuylkill Sixth to Third street be paved, which was referred to the paving committee.
Mr. OLDENBURG as chairman of the committee to whom was referred the communication of WILLIAM RUSH, made the following report and resolution with accompanying documents, which were agreed to.
The committee to whom was referred the communi- cation of Wm. Rush, Esq. on the subject of the naviga- tion of the river Schuylkill,
Beg leave respectfully to report, that they have at- tended to the duty assigned them; that they have con- ferred with the wardens of the port, whose resolutions are herewith presented,-and from the best informa- tion they have been able to collect on the subject, they are of opinion that there ought to be a space left be- tween the wharves on each side of the river of at least 400 feet. In conformity with this view of the subject, the committee requested Messrs. Graff, M'Clure and Haines, to delineate wharf lines on the plan of the river in such manner as in their opinion would be least inju- rious to private property, which they have done and explained in their report, also herewith submitted.
Under all the circumstances of the case, your com- mittee deem the subject of sufficient importance to in- duce them to recommend to Councils to petition the Legislature for a law to establish lines to which wharves may hereafter be erected at least 400 feet from each other -- and also lines not less than 125 feet from the said wharf lines, within which no stores or other per- manent building shall be built, and that no wharf shall be more than two feet above ordinary high water mark. The committee therefore respectfully offer the follow- ing resolution-
Resolved, hy the Select and Common Councils, that the committee be authorized to confer with such com- mittees, as may for that purpose be appointed by the commissioners of the district of Spring Garden, and proper authorities of the townships of Passyunk, Moy- amensing, Blockley and Kingsessing, on the subject of the laws which are proper to be passed for regulating the construction of wharves on the river Schuylkill; and that the city Solicitor be directed, to prepare a bill un- der the instructions of the committee to be presented to the Legislature for their consideration.
To the Select and Common Councils of the City of Phila- delphia.
Gentlemen,-In pursuance of a resolution of the Councils of the 22d of December 1831-The undersign- ed proceeded to survey and take the soundings of the river Schuylkill, noting the relative situation of wharves, buildings and other permanent improvements on its margin, as well as the width of the channel, and its depth in various places at low water to hard bottom, and have marked the results on the plan of the river ac- companying this report. Owing to indisposition, the unfavorable state of the weather, and breaking up of the
138
SURVEY OF THE SCHUYLKILL.
[MARCE
ice, we were prevented from proceeding further than from Fairmount to Gray's ferry bridge.
At the request of the committee of Councils ap- pointed on the communication of Wm. Rush, Esq. in relation to this subject, we have in conjunction with Fred'k. Graff, Esq. delineated on the said plan, wharf lines on each side of the river at the distance of 400 feet from each other, showing the limits to which wharves may hereafter be extended in such a way as, in our opinion, is best calculated to pass off the freshets in the river, preserve its navigation, and be the least injurious to private property. A detail of the soundings is sent herewith.
SAMUEL HAINES, DAVID M'CLURE. .
The following are the details of the survey of the river Schuylkill from Fair Mount to Gray's Ferry.
In various parts of the river since the survey taken by Mr. M'Clure in 1828, some alterations have taken place, particularly in that of the soundings.
Under the upper bridge it has deepened 4 feet. Its greatest depth at present is 31 feet taken at low wa- ter, and 33 feet to hard bottom, which is stony. At the time the bridge was built the depth was only about 14 feet. The water course between the abutments is 340 feet. The whole character of the soundings at this, and other places, is appended to this report.
The greatest depth taken on the line at right angles from Nixon's wharf, is 12 feet to mud, and 21 feet to hard bottom, which is gravel. It has deepened since the survey of 1828 two feet. The breadth of the river from the wharf to low water mark on the opposite side is 416 feet.
The greatest depth taken on the line at right angles from Bolton's wharf is 11 feet to mud, and 21 feet to hard bottom, which is also gravel. It has deepened 1 .. foot. The breadth of the river from the wharf to low water mark on the opposite side is 480 feet.
The greatest depth taken on a line at right angles from the wharf at Vine street, is 16 feet to sand, and 23 feet to hard bottom, which is also gravel. The whole vertical section here has been considerably increased, not that its greatest depth is more than formerly, but there is a much larger proportion of deep soundings. The breadth here from the wharf to the opposite side at low water, is 491 feet.
The greatest depth taken on a line at right angles from Race street wharf, is 12 feet to rock, corresponding with the former survey. The bottom here is one gene- ralledge of rocks, nearly half way across. The breadth from the wharf to the opposite side at low water, is 450 feet.
The greatest depth taken on a line at right angles from Arch street, at low water mark, is 13 feet to sand, and 16 feet to hard bottom, which is stony, and also corresponds with the former survey. The breadth from low water to low water is 480 feet.
Under the middle bridge the greatest depth is 29 feet to hard bottom, which on the former survey was covered with about 4 feet of alluvion.
The greatest depth on the line which connects Wethe- rill's wharf on the east and that on the west side of Schuylkill, is 20 fece. to sand,and 29 feet to hard bottom, which is gravel. It has deepened here about 2 feet. The distance between these two wharves is 367 feet.
The greatest depth taken on a line at right angles from White's wharf below Walnut street, is 18 feet to sand, and 22 feet to hard bottom, which is gravel. It has deepened here 2 feet. The breadth of the river from the wharf to low water mark on the opposite side, is 396 feet.
-
The greatest depth taken on a line at right angles from the wharf at the woollen factory, between Spruce and Pine streets, is 18 fect to soft sand, and 26 feet to hard bottom, which is also gravel. It has deepened here 2 feet. The breadth of the river from the wharf to low water mark on the opposite side is 388 feet.
The greatest depth taken on a line at right angles, from the wharf at Lombard street is 18 feet to soft sand, and 28 feet to hard bottom, which is gravel. It has deepened 1 foot. The breadth of the river from the wharf to low water mark on the opposite side, is 420 feet.
The greatest depth taken on a fine at right angles, from the wharf at South or Cedar street, to the Alms House wharf, on the opposite side is 19 feet to sand, and 20 to hard bottom, which is gravel. It has deepen- ed about one foot. The breadth between the wharves is 409 feet.
The greatest depth taken on a line at right angles, from the wharf at the Arsenal, is 19 feet to sand, and to hard bottom 27 feet, which is gravel. It has deep- ened here 3 feet. The breadth of the river from the wharf to low water mark, on the opposite side is 492 feet.
The greatest depth taken at Gray's ferry bridge is 26 feet to mud, and at 41 feet, which was as far as the rod could be pushed, did not reach hard bottom. No alterations in the soundings have taken place here .- The breadth from low water to low water, is 330 feet.
Thus it appears that an increase of depth from 1 to 4 feet is found in various places, occasioned by causes very naturally calculated to produce this effect, the principal ofwhich is the increased number of wharves, by which the river has been narrowed, and the passage for the wa- ter considerably circumscribed. Under such circum- stances, connected with the pressure of astrong fresh- et, it is easy to conceive how readily every moveable obstruction must give way before the mighty element when it is straightened, and seeks a passage.
The extensive flat, between the middle and upper bridge, on the West side of the river, has claimed particular attention, and excited deep solicitude. Over this flat the freshets find a free passage, and which not unusually rise so high as to occupy nearly one half the then existing vertical section across the river.
In round numbers :- the breadth of the flat at right angles with Bolton's wharf is 750 feet. On, the rise of a freshet 10 feet above the ordinary tide, (which a few years since took place) there will exist on this flat a section of 9360 feet, at the same time there will be found over the breadth of the river 480 feet (taken at low water) an additional area of 7680 feet, to which areas add 3744 feet, (the area of the section at low wa- ter) and the amount is 20,784 feet, the whole area across the river during such a freshet, of which, as bas been stated,9360 feet occupies the space over the flat, which is nearly one half the whole section.
In an ordinary tide there will be found on the flat a section of 2160 feet ;- over that portion of the river circumscribed to the low water mark 2880 feet, and the area of the section at low water 3744 feet, which in all amount to 8784 feet, the whole area of the section in an ordinary tide; 2160 feet of which, as has been stated, cover the flat, making nearly one fourth of the area of the whole section.
The consideration of this subject alone is sufficient to awaken our fears, should obstructions be indiscrimi- nately multiplied; and as the bed of the river at Race ' street, as has been stated, is one ledge of continued rock, the constructing of any extensive permanent ob- stacles on this flat would inevitably be attended with tre- mendous consequences, not only to private property but also to the pure fountain, whose streams, in these days of temperance, give health and comfort to our citizens,-the glory, and boast of our city, the Fair Mount Water-works.
The following tables exhibit a number of soundings taken at low water. The first column of each, shows the distance each sounding is taken from the shore or wharf expressed at the head of the tables ;- the second column the corresponding depth to the alluvion, the nature of which is given, and the third column shows the depth to hard bottom from the surface of the water,
1832.]
SURVEY OF THE SCHUYLKILL
139
the character of which is also exhibited. At the foot of each table is given the area of the sections to hard and soft bottoms taken at low water.
Under the Upper Bridge at low water.
Feet, In.
From the abutment E. to L. W.
24
5
From low water to low water,
297
2
From L. W. to abutment W.
18
5
From abutments East to West,
340
0
From L. W. East to L. W. West.
Feet
Feet
Feet
20
13 gravel
13 stony
40
26
sand
29 stony
59
30
sand
33 stony
79
30
sand
33 stony
99
30
sand
33 stony
119
31
sand
33 stony
139
26
sand
29 rock
158
26
sand
29 rock
178
24
sand
28 rock
198
26
sand
30 rock
218
25
sand
28 rock
238
26
rock
26 rock
257
25
rock
25 rock
277
18
rock
18 rock
297 to L. W.
Area of section of water course 5,902 feet. Area of section to hard bottom 7,706 feet.
On a line taken at right angles from Nixon's Wharf.
33
10
mud
20 gravel
66
12
mud
19 gravel
99
12
mud
21 gravel
132
12
mud
20 gravel
165
12
mud
20 gravel -
198
12
mud
19 gravel
231
12
mud
18 gravel
264
11
mud
17 rock
297
9
mud
18 rock
330
9
mud
17 gravel
363
6 mud
16 sand
396
3
mud
15 sand
416 to L. W.
Area of section of water course 3,744 fect. Area of seetion to hard bottom 7,613 feet.
On a line taken at right angles from Bolton's Wharf.
33
8
mud
22 sand
66
11
mud
21 sand
99
11
mud
21 hard sand
132
11 mud
21 hard sand
165
10
sand
18 bard sand
198
10
sand
18 hard sand
231
10
sand
17 hard sand
264
10
sand
16 gravel
297
10
sand
16 gravel
330
10
mud
17 gravel
363
9
mud
15 gravel
396
6
mud
15 hard sand
429
3 mud
13 *mud
462
1 mud
11 mud
480 to L. W.
Area of section of water course 3,840 feet. Area of section to hard bottom 8,256 feet.
On a line taken at right angles from Vine street wharf. .
33
13 rocky
13 rocky
66
14
sand
15 rocky
99
16
sand
23 gravel
132
13
sand
22 gravel
165
12
sand
16 rocky
198
11
sand
19 gravel
*When the soundings in the third column is to mud, it shows the greatest depth that three men could push the rod through the same.
231
11
sand
19 gravel
264
10
sand
18 gravel
297
9
sand
17 gravel
330
8
mud
16 mud
363
6
mud
14 mud
396
4
mud
12 mud
429
2
mud
11 mud
462
1
mud
10 mud
491 to L. W.
Area of section of water course 4,566 feet. Area of section to hard bottom 7,856 feet.
On a line taken at right angles from Race street wharf.
33
11
clay
15 mud
66
12
rock
12 rock
99
12 rock
12 rock
132
12 rock
12 rock
165
11
rock
21 rock
198
9 *rock
9 rock
231
10
sand
12 gravel
264
11
sand
13 gravel
297
10
sand
15 gravel
330
9
sand
15 gravel
363
8
sand
15 gravel
396
5 sand
15 gravel
429
3
mud
15 mud
450 to L. W.
Area of section of water course 4230 feet. Area of section to hard bottom 5895 fect.
On a line taken at right angles from L. W. at Arch
street.
33
stony
6 stony
66
11
stony
11 stony
99
13 sand
15 stony
132
13
sand
16 stony
165
13 gravel
15 stony
198
13 gravel
14 stony
231
12
sand
15 stony
264
11
sand
16 sand
297
10
sand
16 sand
330
9
sand
16 sand
363
8
sand
15 sand
396
7
mud
14 sand
429
5
mud
13 mud
462
3
mud
13 mud
480 to L. W.
Arca of section of water course 4460 feet. Area of section to hard bottom 6720 feet.
Under the middle Bridge, from E. Wharf to first pier.
20
3
mud
5 stony
40
5
mud
6 stony
60
5
stony
5 stony
80
5
stony
5 stony
90 to pier E.
From E. to W. Pier.
20
8 stony
8 stony
40
14 sand
17 stony
60
24 stony
24 stony
79
29 stony
29 stony
99
28 stony
28 stony
119
28 stony
28 stony
139
29 stony
29 stony
158
24 stony
24 stony
178
25 gravl
25 gravel
189 to pier W.
From pier W. to abutment W.
20
28 stony
28 stony
40
22 mud
28 stony
60
14 mud
25 mud
79
5 mud
18 mud
99
3 stony
3 stony
125 to abutment
The whole water space is 405 feet, Area of section of water course 6949 feet. Arca of section to hard bottom 8074 feet.
140
SURVEY OF THE SCHUYLKILL,
[MARCR
In a line with the face of the old hasin and north there- of, and at right angles to the first wharf below the 363 bridge on the west side. 6 ft. 7 in. to L. W.
33
7 mud
9 gravel
66
15 stony
15 stony
99
23 stony
23 stony
132
29 stony
29 stony
165
30 stony
30 stony
198
31 stony
31 stony
231
27 mud
31 gravel
264
16 mnd
27 mud
297
14 mud
26 mud
330
11 mud
20 mud
363 to wharf.
Area of section of water course 7369 feet. Area of section to hard bottom 8748 feet.
From Wetherill's wharf, 16 feet deep on the east to Wetherill's wharf on the west side of Schuylkill.
33
20 mud
25 stony
66
20 sand
29 gravel
99
20 sand
29 gravel
132
20 sand
29 gravel
165
20 sand
29 gravel
198
20 sand
29 gravel
231
13 mud
28 sand
264
10 mud
27 mud
297
7 mud
26 mud
330
6 mud
20 mud
363
5 mud
18 mud
367 to wharf.
Area of section of water course 5358 feet. Area of section to hard bottom 9652 feet.
On a line taken at right angles, from Mr. White's wharf below Walnut.
33
12 stony
12 stony
66
18 mud
20 gravel
99
18 sandy
22 gravel
132
17 sandy
24 gravel
165
16 sandy
25 gravel
198
15
mud
25 mud
231
15
mud
25 mud
264
14
mud
25 mud
297
11
mud
25 mud
330
7 mud
22 mud
363
2 mud
15 mud
396 to L. W.
Area of section of water course 4871 feet. Area of section to hard bottom 8633 feet.
On a line taken at right angles from the wharf at the Woollen factory, which is 10 feet deep.
33
12 rock
12 rock
66
15 rock
15 rock
99
17 sand
.22 rock
132
18 sand
23 rock
165
18 sand
26 gravel
198
17 sand
25 rock
231
16 sand
24 gravel
264
15 mud
21 mud
297
13 mud
20 mud
330
11 mud
18 mud
363
2 mud
12 mud
388 to L. W.
Area of section of water course 5432 feet. Area of section to hard bottom 7682 feet.
On a line taken at right angles from Lombard street wharf, which is 10 feet deep.
33
18 mud
28 mud
66
18 sand
28 gravel-
99
17 sand
28 gravel
132
16 sand
26 gravel
165
15 sand
25 gravel
198
14 sand
23 gravel
232
13 mud
22 mud
264
11 mud
19 mud
297
9 mud
17 mud
330
7 mud
14 mud
5 mud
13 mud
396
2 mud
11 mud
420 to L. W.
Area of section of water course 5040 feet. Area of section to hard bottom 8821 feet.
On a line taken at right angles from South street wharf, which is 6 feet deep, to a wharf opposite.
33
11 gravel
12 stony
66
14 stony
14 stony
99
17 stony
17 stony
132
19
sand
20 stony
165
18
sand
19 gravel
198
17 sand
18 gravel
231
14
sand
20 gravel
264
13
mud
23 mud
297
12
mud
22 mud
330
11
mud
21 mud
363
10 mud
22 mud
396
8 mud
20 mud
409 to wharf 7 feet.
Area of section of water course 5562 feet. Area of section to hard bottom 7771 feet.
On a line taken at right angles from the Arsenal wbarf,
which is 8 feet deep.
33
15 mud
19 gravel
66
18 sand
20 gravel
99
19 sand
21 gravel
132
18 sand
22 gravel
165
18 sand
23 gravel
198
18 sand
27 gravel
231
18 sand
27 gravel
264
17 mud
25 mud
297
17 mud
25 mud
330
16 mud
24 mud
363
15 mud
23 mud
396
14 mud
23 mud
429
12 mud
23 mud
462
10 mud
23 mud
480
6 mud
20 mud
492 to L. W.
Area of section of water course 7577 feet. Area of section to hard bottom 11,316 feet.
Soundings taken on Gray's ferry bridge from east to west, and from L. W. to L. W.
33
10 mud
17 mud
66
20 mud
28 mud
99
25 mud
34 mud
132
26 mud
40 mud
165
22 mud
41 mud
198
23 mud
41 mud
231
26 sand
36 gravel
264
20 sand
29 gravel
297
13 gravel
13 gravel
330 to L. W.
Area of section of water course 6765 feet. Area of section to hard hottom 10,230 feet.
Explanation of Survey and the Soundings of the river Schuylkill, and of the wharf lines delineated on a plan of the said river from Fairmount to Gray's ferry.
1. The figures on the red line denote the width of the river at low water.
2. The figures immediately under the red lines ex- press the area of a section of the river from low water to common hottom.
3. The figures immediately under those last men- tioned, express the area of a section of the river to hard bottom, of sand, gravel, or rock, as the case may be.
4. The wharf lines are at the distance of 400 feet from each other; that on the eastern side of the river commences at the S. W. corner of the eastern ahut- ment of the Lancaster Schuylkill bridge, thence ex- tending in a straight line to the N. W. corner of Nix- on's wharf, along the said wharf to the S. W. corner
141
LAW-MARRIAGE CASE.
1832.]
thereof, thence in a straight line to a point 40 feet west of the N. W. corner of Bolton's wharf, thence in a straight line to the most westerly part of the wharf on the south side of Vine street 686 feet west of Ashton street, as measured along the said Vinc strect, thence to a point 30 feet west of the public wharf at Sassafras street, 390 fcet west of Ashton strect, measured along Sassafras strect, thence to a point in range with the north line of Mulherry street, at the distance of 350 feet west of Ashton street, thence to the N. W. corner of the wharf at High street, 473 feet west of Ashton strect, and along the face of the said wharf, to the south line of High street, thence to the most westerly point of Wat- son's wharf on the south side of Chesnut street, 323 fect west of Beech strect, thence to the N. W. corner of the New York and Schuylkill Coal Company's wharf, 133 feet west of their brick storehouse, and 465 feet west of Beech street, thence to a point 30 fect west of Jacob S. Waln's most southerly wharf, and 360 feet west of Willow street, thence to the N. W. corner of the wharf, at the woollen factory 560 fect west of Willow street, thence along the said wharf,and to a point in range with the S. line of Lombard st. 470 feet from Bank st. measured along the said Lombard street, thence to the N. W. corner of Lawrence's wharf, on the south side of Cedar street 828 feet west of Bank street, measured along the south line of Cedar street, thence to the N. W. corner of the wharf, belonging to the Naval Asylum, and along the same to the S. W. corner thereof, thence in a straight line to a point 90 feet west of the wharf bc- longing to the Arsenal, thence at the distance of 400 fcet from the line of low water on the west side of the river, to the extent of 1200 feet, thence to a point 60 feet north of a rock on which a buoy is placed, thence to a point 500 feet southerly from Hamilton's rock, thence to the edge of low water on the southerly sidlc of the river, thence 500 feet further to a point 500 feet distant from fast land on the north westerly side of the river, thence to a point 440 fect from the most promi- nent point of fast land immediately north of Mill creck, thence S. W. to a point 400 feet north of Gray's ferry bridge, thence to a point 30 fect east of low water, at the cast end of the said bridge.
When the wharf lines are fixed and determined, a more particular reference to permanent objects on shore will he necessary, previous to their being recorded.
WARDENS' OFFICE, 2
Philadelphia, 6th Feb. 1832. S
Extract from the minutes of the Wardens of this date, viz:
"The Board met agreeably to adjournment, (all present, ) after deliberating on the subject, passed, unanimously, the following resolutions, viz :
Resolved, that it is necessary and expedient to fix and determine by law the wharf lines, on both shores of the river Schuylkill, from Fairmount dam, to the mouth of said river, so that an area of not less than fcet be left for the free passage of the water.
Resolved, That it is important to the public interest, that provision be make by law, to lay out a strcet or pas- sage along the fronts of said river, and that no build- ings or other obstructions, ought to be erected, within the distance of feet from the wharf lines there- of.
Attest-TIIOS. JACKSON, Clerk.
Mr. Fairz as Chairman of the committee to whom was referred the letter of the Marble Masons, made the following report.
The committee to whom was referred the communi- cation received from the Marble Masons of the city and county of Philadelphia, report that they have attended to the duties assigned them by receiving and depositing the corner stone for the contemplated Washington Monu- ment in the Ilall of Independence, and ask to be dis- charged.
Mr. LEHMAN offered the annexed resolution which was adopted.
Resolved by the Select and Common Councils, That the resolutions of the Wardens of the city of Philadel- phia; the report of the committec appointed hy Coun- cils and the "Surveys by persons employed, together with other papers in relation to the navigation of the river Schuylkill, be printed in pamphlet form to the amount of 200 copics for the use of the members of Councils and others.
From the Philadelphian. MARRIAGE CASE.
We have inserted on our last page a Report on the subject of the marriage of an apprentice; because the subject is one of moral and pecuniary interest to all the clergymen in Pennsylvania. Not a few of them have been compelled by the cupidity of the masters of ap- prentices to pay fines for having been deceived hy per- sons who said they were of age, and were not. It is impossible in large cities, that clergymen or magistrates should know one in ten of the persons who desire them to take cognizance of and record the fact of a marriage union. Most marriages in cities take place in the houses of clergymen, or the offices of magistrates. The partics come to us with their friends, and certify us that they are of age; that their parents, or guardians consent to their union; and that there are no legal im- pediments in the way; when hehold one or the other newly married person is proved to want a few months of twenty-one years, and fifty pounds damages arc de- manded of him who recorded the engagement of the bride and her bridegoom. We have known many cler- gymen who have been obliged to pay this fine, when they were perfectly innocent of any connivance at a clandestine marriage; and would not have been indu- ced hy any consideration to have favoured the impro- per marriage of minors. There was an instance in this city in which an old woman of respectable quaker dress and appearance personated the mother and gave con- sent that Dr. P. M. should marry the bride whom she called her daughter: but on the next day the £50 were demanded. Not many years since a guardian in the vicinity of Philadelphia gave his ward five dollars to fec a Baptist clergymen for marrying him, and then said guardian sued the clergyman for the £50, because his consent had not been formally obtained.
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