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29 
in winter, and also, that if there were suitable shelter, they would en- 
gage, with eriterprize and confidence, in all the chances of commer- 
cial speculation. 
Allhouglj it is difficult to specify the amount of the losses sustain- 
ed; altlioui^ii the annua! amount has been decreasing witli the reduc- 
tion of tlie tonnage, and the greater precaution on the part of the 
merchants; still, some idea may be formed of it from the ciicumstance, 
that a single East India or China ship is often worth half a million 
of dollars, that is to say, two or three times as much as would be the 
cost of a breakwater, near the Capes, to shelter a dozen vessels. 
We have thus far examined the advantages to result from an arti- 
ficial harbor, with reference only to the commerce of the Delaware; 
but they will be found of scarcely less moment to the coasting navi- 
gation of the nation at large. The great number of shipwrecks 
upon the coast of Jersey and Delaware proves that the winter navi- 
gation of that coast, is attended with in)minent peril; and we may 
SAJVIy aiiirm, that a project which shall place a secure harbor at the 
mouth of the Delaware, lying, as it will, about midway between the 
distant harbors of New York and the Chesapeake, and being always 
accessible, witli the winds which are most dangerous, will produce a 
result of incalculable value, whether we consider the saving of pro- 
perty, or of human life. 
2d. On the practicahility of constructing a pier or breakwater, 
wiiich will afford slieltcr for vessels, and have, in itself, such stability 
as to resist the most violent efforts of floating ice, and of gales of 
wind. 
The Commission have ascertained that the ravages of the worm, 
in the lower part of the bay, wouid soojj destroy any wall, in which 
timber entered as an essential part; and they are convinced, were it 
otherwise, as respects timber, no dependence could be placed in the 
stability of a work, having an envelope of timber, unless such a form 
were given to it as would, in fact, make the envelope a very expensive, 
and, ut the same time, a nearly useless appendage. The form here 
spoken of has reference to the profile or transverse section, and is 
one in which the breadth at bottom, being very great, compared with 
that at top, the slopes of the sides are so gentle, that the stone com- 
posing the mass are retained firmly in place by their own weight : 
to this form of structure has been apjilicd, in a memorable example, 
where the objects in view were similar to the present, the term of 
breakwater. 
With tiie complete success which lias attended the stupendous 
wurks of the Jette of Cherbourg, and the Breakwater of Plymouth, 
(just alluded to,) tiie Commission cannot hesitate as to the practica- 
bility of constructing a breakwater in the Delaware, which will be 
lasting in itself, and secure permanently the advantages which are 
sought. This confidence is founded on a comparison of the exposure 
of the works above cited, with the exposure of the situation v/hich 
may be selected in this bay, on a comparison of the nature of the 
bottom, and the direction and force of the tides ; and, on the advan- 
