steamship port

texas logs in and wonders if anyone has an idea how to pinpoint an 1850 's steamship dock ?


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http://www.thunting.com/smf/index.php/topic,2904.msg21666.html#msg21666

its on land , and shows up on 1845 texas maps, the topography varies little tho leaving out the bluff bank as high ground to load / stay dry on

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http://www.thunting.com/smf/index.php/topic,2904.msg21679.html#msg21679

vague photos , general area only . looking for known sights that will indicate where it was

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http://www.thunting.com/smf/index.php/topic,2904.msg21682.html#msg21682

Well, for its location you may want to use a magnetometer - given you know the approximate location. However if you do not even know the approximate location yet I would suggest getting old maps from a local library. A colleage or university libraray should be able to help.

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http://www.thunting.com/smf/index.php/topic,2904.msg21684.html#msg21684

There is a lot of detailed info in old travel logs, some are called sketches. Also Google books has many old books online.

1850 's steamship dock
first major port north and east of galveston

Originally the entrance to Galveston harbor was obstructed by two bars known as the inner and outer bar, the natural depth of water on the outer bar being 12 feet, and on the inner bar about 9J/2 feet, consequently it was necessary to lighter all cargoes except those of the smallest vessels engaged in the trade, and this was the condition up to 1869.

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In 1830 the Mexican Government provided for the establishment of a military post and custom house for the Galveston Revenue District, and the-Port of Galveston first came into official existence at that time. On the site of Lafitte's fort a small building was erected for the custom house, but in the following year the collector moved his headquarters to Anahuac, on the other side of the bay, and once more Galveston Island was abandoned. The Texas Provisional Government in December, 1835, provided for the formation of the Galveston Revenue District and the establishment of the Port of Galveston Bav as a port of entry. About the time of the battle of San Jacinto, in April, 1836, the officers of the Texas Government assembled on Gaivestou Island, and it was the temporary capital for about three weeks.
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The Galveston City Company pursued a liberal policy, not only donating lots to first settlers for building upon them, but also granting port privileges for the sole consideration of building wharves, so that by constructing a rude projection from land to deep water those who availed themselves of the privilege secured a property of permanent and increasing value. Probably the first wharf was built in 1839, and in successive years a number of others were constructed until a large portion of the water front was occupied by dock facilities owned and operated by private individuals or by mercantile and shipping firms. The dominant factor in the shipping business of the city for many years has been the Galveston Wharf Company, which was organized June 26, 1854. This company possesses one of the most profitable commercial privileges along the entire American seaboard, and has developed unrivaled facilities for efficient handling of the great traffic that passes over its railroads, into its warehouses, and across its docks into the vessels of the world's commerce.
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1844 Almanac
The bar outside Galveston harbour and bay, between the N.E. end of the island and Point Bolivar on the mainland, has not more than 134 feet water at the highest springs, and but 10 feet at ebb: hence L smaller class of vessels, or those under 200 or 250 tons, are most suitable for the trade of the port, as wed as for that of almost all the other ports on the N. and 1. sides of the gulph, the deficiency of water betRf all but universal. Though the land be low, the houses of Galveston may be seen from the majthun at a distance of several miles. Vessels drawing 8 feet water and upwards should, however, not approach the bar nearer than 6 fathoms, without heaving to and making the signal for a pilot, which is prompt!' attended to. Vessels drawing less than 8 feet water may approach the bar till the water shoals to? fathoms before heaving to. Vessels making the port in the nigbt should Invariably anchor In & or * fathoms ; and the holding ground being excellent, those who are well found in anchor* and cable* " nothing to fear. Pilot boats are now constantly on the look-out; and ships should on no accoa tempt crossing the bar till they have got a pilot on board. In the harbour there is from 18 to 30 ie?c The bay,-which stretches about 3S miles from N. to $., and from 18 to 18 miles from E. to W.. bM Do* generally more than 9 feet water, and is intersected by a bar, on which there is only from A to C fevt water?(Kennfdy*$ Texas, 1. 29.) Several very considerable rivers have their embouchure in tbe bay, so that the town nas a considerable command of internal navigation.



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