CASE HISTORY OF ST. JOHNS RIVER AND JACKSONVILLE HARBOR, FLORIDA

Abstract

It seems particularly appropriate that this year should be chosen, for the presentation of a case history of St. Johns River, since it is this year that marks the centennial of the first effort to secure a navigable channel across its bar for ocean-bourne vessels. That effort led to a congressional appropriation of $10,000, a sizable sum in those days, for planning and definite work toward that end. Work was completed only last year, which provided a 34-foot channel from Jacksonville to the ocean, complete with various protective works, and a cut-off channel which eliminates three hazardous bends and reduces the distance to be navigated. Thus, the accomplishments of a century of efforts can be seen. It is those efforts which comprise the substance of this paper. A map of the river is shown as figure 1.