Brian Winter's Historical Whitby AN ENGINEER'S REPORT Last week this column told something about the nature of shipping from Whitby Harbor in its early days. This week we look at the harbor from an engineer's point of view. William Kingsford was an engineer appointed by the federal government to inspect Whitby harbor in October 1874, and he seemed to have little good to say about it, according to his report of May 18, 1875, which is in the Ontario Archives in Toronto. His report begins: "The first impression which must strike an engineer on examining the harbor is its faulty design. Evidently the original intention was to enclose a sheet of water generally 5 feet in depth tolerably well protected to the east and west and the theory seems to have been that at some future period, when the prosperity of the enterprise warrented the expenditure, the depth of the inner basin would be increased to the necessities of lake navigation. "No reason offers itself for not placing the entrance in the centre for it is there that ingress and 4gress would most naturally have been found in a south westerly gale, the prevalent wind on Lake Ontario; a vessel missing the piers would have had the chance of righting herself, whereas the entrance is placed full to the east and the consequence is there is a risk of her being driven on the shore immediately in proximity to the eastern pier. "In answer to this criticism it is maintained that no such accident has yet happened, yet it seems difficult to believe that it is not theoretically possible". Mr. Kingsford noted that "the whole of the breakwater is in a decayed state, the crib-work of the piers under water is in good condition, and the superstructure of the eastern pier is decayed". He recommended that the eastern pier be lengthened by 400 feet and the western pier by 320 feet with an aim to the south east of 200 feet to afford protection against south west winds and lake gales. Mr. Kingsford estimated the cost of such improvements at $52.250. a considerable sum for 1875. "There seem to be dissatisfaction at the circumstances of the harbor belonging to a private company and it is contended that it is managed more in the interest of the company than the public accommodation", said Mr. Kingsford, "but so much may be said with regard to any enternrise in which private capital has been placed". How does this grab you. "The best way to make a small fortune is to start with a big one". Right! That comment was made by Johnny Wayne (of Wayne & Shuster) at a recent business luncheon in Toronto. I've never known so many people to be preoccupied with making "small fortunes" as they are today. Specifically, it appears to come down to lottery tickets. For years we were offered (unlawfully) Irish Sweepstake Tickets. I have no figures as to the number sold in Canada but l'Il bet (oops!) they ran à t least in hundreds of thousands. The results were eagerly scanned bv Corridor Capers Hi folks, once again its time to report happenings witiin the Corridor and district. Four area musicians, who call their group 'Harmony', have been practicing long hours to be ready with apprapriate music for our dance. The boys are Allen Cole, Robert Taylor, Edward Rensink and Kerry Badgley. We will have the opportunity to hear these boys at the Corridor Capers dance from 8:30 to 9:00 and later. Good work boys. I know we will all enjoy your selections. Just remember, when you become world famous, your career began in the Corridor and especially at "Corridor Capers" at Heydenshore Canadians coast-to-coast and winners of $100,000 were considered 'millionaires'. Then came the Olympic Lottery. Bang! Now we had instant millionaires. The hundred thousand dollar winners became small fry. Wintario followed on (actually Saskatchewan had a lottery before Ontario's Wintario). A -close friend of mine told me of an associate who was unable to resist purchasing lottery tickets if he had money in his wallet. By this I presume 'extra money'. Buying lottery tickets to me is something to be handled carefully. Loto Canada permits us to buy tickets at five dollars a crack. Wintario is a measly buck: so we can afford to have our 'fling'. But only if we keep it under control and do not go dipping into the grocery money and/or buying tickets in batches on a weekly basis (as I understand some folks do). Perhaps you're getting the idea that I'm not a gambler. I'm certainly not your regular run of.the mill Las Vegas gambler. But I do gamble in business ventures. I'd be as delighted, excited and as estatic as the next guy if a cool million dollars came my way through a lottery ticket. But--I honestly feel and believe I'd enjoy more the challenge and excitement (yes the excitement) of making a million from my own efforts in every day work and in Whitby. - The l1 th Oshawa Cubs meet Wednesday evening, 7:00 p.m. at Thornton Community Centre. A successful registration night last week saw 19 boys sign up. There is still room for a few more. If you were unable to attend last Wednesday, you will be able to sign up this Wednesday. - This is the last week to bring your good used clothing (winter), especially childrens', to the church or to Jean Senko, who will see that it goes to the Welfare Department of Simcoe Hall. There is a real need for winter clothing. - Saturday February 19th - Family Sk::ting Party with the Merry Mates at the Donevan Complex Outdoor Rink. If the weather is unsuitable, bowling will be the entertain- ment for the evening. - The Whitby P. C. dance, that was cancelled two weeks ago, will be held on Saturday February 19th at the Legion Hall in Whitby. - The Whitby P. C. Association are holding their annual meeting on February 15th at the Centennial Building. Call Bob White for further details. The Corridor Capers dance will be at leydenshore on USED EQUIPMENT International Tractor 14 hr. with cab - Hydrostatic Drive - Mower - Tiller - Snow Blower - Excellent Condition John Deer Tractor 8 hr. - Mower - Snow Blower - Excellent Condition .Wheel Horse Tractor GT-14 3 point hitch - Mower - Good Shape Wheel Horse Tractor 12 hr. - 8 speed - 42" Mower - Good Shape Wheel Horse Tractor 8 hr. - Lawn Range - Mower - Fair Shape 4 hr. Tiller - Homelite - Excellent Condition 4 hr. Tiller - Allis Chalmers - Excellent Condition with the purchase of a New Wheel Horse Tractor receive FREE a Mower or a Snow Blower attachment. 200 more attachments are available FISHERS FARM SERVICE Ashburn, Ontario 655.3842 Soles & Service ousness. Buying a lottery ticket with the idea of becoming rich, is too easy. And the odds are stacked too hibh against succeeding. No. Private enterprise is the way to go. And the strange thing (at least 'to me) is I've never seen so much evidence of private enterprise and I have in the Durham Region during the last five years. The number of people I've met during the past two years in and around Whitby who've entered into a business venture intrigue me and I am with them al] the way wishing them success. Early in the sixties a man approached me with an idea to make a million dollars in business. I listened to his presentation, and gave him my answer, "I do not need a million dollars--I can accomplish everything I have planned and more with three hundred thousand dollars". The surprising thing is that this figure will accomplish my dreams today as I had estimated then. So if a million comes my way l'Il have a surplus to dispose of. - It would be easy to give it away for people who asked for money. I would prefer to invest it in sound private enterprise in the Durham Region and give the rest to numerous worthy charitable causes. At least that's what I think I would do if I won a million. Saturday evening. There are still a few tickets available. The Corridor musicians will be making their debut, so come out and cheer the boys. I understand they are exceptionally good, the pleasure will be all yours. Thats Saturday night at 8:30. If you need tickets, call Lynn Majoros, 723-1680 or myself. Thats it for this week. Mary McEachern 725-8967. Canadian Scottish Club t Valentine's Dance FRIDAY, FEBRUARY 11, 1977 Masonic Hall, Cochrane St., Whitby ) $4.50 per person 8 p.m. Light Lunch For Further Information Phone 668-9722 BY FREE PRESS, WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 9, 1977, PAGE 7 He notes in his report that a petition was presente<i asking the government to take over the harbor "and that it no longer be allowed to remain in the hands of the company". He even goes so far to say: "The relations in which the company stand to the community, make it difficult to suggest an arbitrary solution of the problem presented by the condition of this harbor". Mr. Kingsford says the harbor is badly in 'need of dredging, the deepest portion of the channel being eight feet five inches at low water, being insufficient for the larger class of vessels. Chester Draper, president of the harbor company, told Mr. Kingsford that the federal government should dredge the harbor, while 'the, harbor company would be responsible for repairing the piers. Mr. Kingsford recommends dredging to 13 or 14 feet, which would cost a minimum of $24,500. Commenting on the use of the harbor, Mr. Kingsford says: "The trade consists principally of exports which are confined to cereals, lumber, and railway ties. The imports are trifling, the Grand Trunk Railway being found more commodiously to perform this function". He notes also that "the harbor company state that it is their intention to continue repairs to and place the whole line (of piers) in a satisfactory condition, but they do not assign a date when this work will be performed." Through the eyes of an engineer, Whitby harbor was a pretty sorry mess in 1875. dpýý ma"d m