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Okeechobee Land Company
(Of Florida).
OFFICES:
N. E. Corner Third and Chestnut Streets, Philadelphia.
Jacksonville, Florida.
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Showing Area of lands to be improved bv construe t ion of Ganal
giving an outlet I o Lake Okeechobee.
Area upwards of 8.000 . 000 Acres.
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OFFICES:
Chestnut H- Tliiixl Sts.. Philadelphia,Pa
Jacksonville , Florida.
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F.Bourquixi.Xith 31 South b 1 St.Phila
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gartered by Special Act of Legislature of Florida, i881.
Capital, Jjio,000,000.
OFFICEES :
WILLIAM S. STOKLEY, President. HAMILTON DISSTON, Treasurer.
J. J. DUNNE, Vice-President. WM. CULBERTSON, Secretary. ■
JAMES M. KREAMER, Engineer.
DIEECTOES :
W. S. STOKLEY, Philadelphia. HAMILTON DISSTON, Philadelphia.
WILLIAM H. WRIGHT, Philadelphia. W. H. DRAKE, Philadelphia.
SAMUEL H. GREY, Camden, N. J. • A. P. K. SAFFORD, New York City.
J. J. DUNNE, New York City. W. C. PARSONS, Arizona.
INGHAM CORYELL, Florida.
Issue of #1,000,000 of Stock in 100,000 Shares
of #10 each at par.
With a bonus of #1,000,000 of Land Certificates
bearing six per cent, interest, redeemable from
sales of land, by drawings from time to
time, or convertible at option of
holder into land at the Com¬
pany's regular prices.
Each subscriber for shares of the Company will, in addition to his stock, receive
as a bonus a Land Certificate equal to the amount of his subscription.
No application will be received for less than ten shares.
TERMS OF PAYMENT:
$5.00 per share on application.
$5.00 per share on delivery of Shares and Land Certificates.
OFFICES :
N. E. Cor. Third and Chestnut Streets, Philadelphia.
Jacksonville, Florida.
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LIBPUHT
©F RAILWAY ECONOMIC*
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Lis 19 £#0k »*>c$
19X9
Times Printing House,
725 Chestnut St., Philadelphia.
PROSPECTUS.
This company was chartered by special act of the legislature of Florida,
March 8, 1881, for the purpose of purchasing and improving certain tracts of
land in Florida, the building of canals and other lines of transportation, and
the carrying on of all other business incidental thereto.
This company has a concession from the Board of Internal Improve¬
ment of the State of Florida for the reclamation of all the lands lying south of
Townships twenty-four and east of Peace Creek,—this area containing upwards
of 8,000,000 acres.
The United States survey, made in 1879 by Colonel J. L. Meigs, estab¬
lished the elevation of Lake Hickpocliee, adjoining Lake Okeechobee, as being
22 feet above mean low tide, and he recommended the construction of a
drainage canal similar to that now proposed to be established. These surveys
and observations have recently been verified by a corps of engineers in the
employ of this company, who found Lake Okeechobee to be 25 feet above
tide-water.
Lake Okeechobee, situate about the centre of this 8,000,000 acre tract,
is upwards of 40 miles in length by 25 miles in width, or covering an area
of over 1,000 square miles. It has no outlet, but receives the drainage
ot a number of lakes intercepted by the Kissimmce River, also the waters
of Fish Eating, Taylor's and Mosquito Creeks, which vary from 20 to 150
feet in width. During very heavy falls of rain, this lake rises to such a point
as to not only overtlow its banks, but to cause the waters of the rivers to
be backed up, so that the country becomes more or less submerged, until the
waters find the ocean and gulf through the tortuous and inefficient channels
of widely separated streams.
It is proposed to provide against these periodical overflows by the open¬
ing of canals from Okeechobee to the St. Lucie and Caloosahatchee Rivers that
will not only permanently lower the level of the lake, but at all times furnish
a safe outlet to the gulf and ocean for the waters of the lake and confluent
streams, and which will also afford means of transportation for the products
of the Kissimmee valley and surrounding country.
This area will embrace every class of Florida land, as based on the
character of their productions, elevation, and nature of the soil,—including
the " high and low hammock," " first, second and third-rate pine," and " swamp
lands."
The soil of the first and second-rate pine lands is intermingled with
disintegrated shells and loam, underlaid by deposits of clay, limestone or
marl, and will without the aid of fertilizers sustain large and successive crops
of corn, rye, oats, cotton and tobacco, and is well adapted to the cultivation
4
atlantic and gulf coast canal and
of oranges, limes, guavas, sisal hemp, jute and other fibrous and tropical plants.
The hammock lands, and those bordering the Caloosahatchee River, Lake
Okeechobee, and the streams confluent therewith, and the vast territory
included in and south of the Halpatiokee Flats, are described as possessing
remarkable productive powers, and particularly adapted to the cultivation of
sugar cane, which may be considered as a measure of fertility of the soil,
as it is grown without rotation, and one of the most exhaustive crops known.
The choice sugar lands of Louisiana are rated at from $100 to $150 per
acre, similar in character to those just described, -which mature the cane to
perfection, and are located below the frost line.
The terms of the contract with the Board of Internal Improvement of
the State of Florida, give to this company one-half of all the land reclaimed
by the lowering of the waters of Lake Okeechobee.
This company has acquired by purchase the franchise of the
Atlantic Coast Steamboat, Canal and Improvement Company, for the con¬
struction of a canal, suitable for commodious light-draught steamboats,
commencing at the St. John's River, extending thence in a southerly
direction, connecting Pablo Creek, San Diego, Mantanzas, Halifax and
Hilisboro'Rivers, Mosquito Lagoon, Indian River, St. Lucie Sound, Jupiter
River and Lake Worth; thus affording nearly 330 miles of continuous navi¬
gable inland waters, lying adjacent to and generally parallel with the east
coast of Florida, being separated from the ocean by peninsulas and extended
narrow islands; these natural barriers guaranteeing a safe and continuous
navigation throughout the entire year. The water is salt, being constantly
renewed from the inlets at St. Augustine, Mantanzas, Mosquito Lagoon,
Indian River and Lake Worth. These inland waters, affording at present an
almost unbroken line of communication, may, at a reasonably moderate expen¬
diture in systematic construction, presenting no embarrassing engineering .
problems, be developed into a grand canal possessing features peculiarly its
own. Merely where the artificial work of joining river to river is performed
can it be regarded as a canal proper, as from these points it develops into those
majestic arms of the sea, from thirty to one hundred and twenty miles in length,
varying from one to six miles in width, bordered on either side by a country
generally well elevated, enjoying unbounded natural agricultural resources, a
semi-tropical luxuriance in beauty of foliage, scenery of an exceedingly varie¬
gated and picturesque character, and blessed with a climate throughout the
entire year the most equable and salubrious enjoyed by any State in the Union.
The soil is generally sandy, with an admixture of disintegrated coral and shell
with alluvial and organic matter, capable of supporting successive crops with¬
out the aid of manure.
Large bodies of high and low hammock lands of palmetto, oak, bay,
hickory, etc., extend along the shores, adjacent to which, on the west shore,
are tracts of high, open pine lands, bordered by prairie, savanna and marsh.
Experience demonstrates that the soil is not affected by drought in the same
5
degree as other lands, nor does it suffer from too much rain, and, being exceed¬
ingly friable, requires no other preparation than grubbing and plowing to
adapt it at once for the production of crops covering the widest scope, embrac¬
ing tropical and semi-tropical fruits and fibrous plants in great variety, and
maturing to that degree of perfection developed at no other point within the
bounds of the United States.
The topographical features of the country will permit of a general
alignment for the canal on the most direct route connecting the several rivers
and navigable streams abotfe alluded to. The method of performing the major
part of the excavation will be by labor-saving appliances especially designed
for this work, combining great efficiency with ease of manipulation and
economy in power.
The cost of performing the work is placed at §203,984, and with the
dredges now building can be completed in nine months. ■
, In equipping for this service, §150,000 will be expended in the purchase
of two suitable steamboats, each of about one hundred and fifty tons' freight
capacity, of good design, ample, commodious, and especially supplied with all
of the conveniences demanded for first-class passenger traffic; each boat to
make at least two round trips per week.
The transportation of supplies and marketing of the various products
of the country adjacent to the canal, the revenue from the mail service and
general passenger business, which, for the greater part of the year, will be
very large, as this provides one of the most favored routes for tourists, taken
in connection with the enlarged demands of a rapidly increasing community,
will give immediate and substantial returns. This company will receive a
grant of land from the State of 8,840 acres per mile of canal constructed and
improved. This is estimated at 400,000 acres, and as this land lies immediately
adjoining the canal, its market value will be largely increased by the com¬
pletion of this line of transportation.
It is estimated that 100,000 boxes of oranges will be shipped the next
year; add to this the production of cocoanuts, bananas, pine-apples,—ten to
fifteen thousand per acre,—white and sweet potatoes,—three crops per year,—
corn, rye, oats, tobacco, cotton, rice, jute and other fibrous plants, vegetables,
fish, oysters, etc., etc., we have an output, the revenue derived from which,
independent of the returns from other sources, must be large, rapidly increasing,
and entirely commensurate with the magnitude and importance of the enterprise.
Taking into consideration the great quantity and quality of
lands that are to accrue to this company by providing an outlet to
Lake Okeechobee—the ownership and exclusive control of a line of
Inland Steam Navigation for three hundred miles—the large Land
Grant attaching to the canal—the Directors confidently recommend
the present issue of Shares and accompanying Land Certificates as
possessing not only a sure and safe investment, but offering proba¬
bilities of greater returns in the future than any enterprise that has
been brought before the public for years.
6
atlantic and gulf coast canal and
[Report on the Construction of the Atlantic Coast Steamboat
Canal and the drainage of Lake Okeechobee and the
Everglades, bj' James M. Kreamer, C. E.]
To Atlantic and Gulf Coast Canal and Okeechobee Land Company:
Agreeably to your request, I present the subjoined report on the feasi¬
bility of opening and maintaining in the State of Florida, a continuous line of
canal, suitable for commodious steamers of light draught, connecting a point
at or near the confluence of Pablo Creek and the St. John's River, extending
thence in a southerly direction to and including Lake Worth. Total estimated
distance by air line 290, by water about 380 miles. I will also in this paper
treat of the general features involved in the projected scheme of draining
Lake Okeechobee and the consequent reclamation of a vast surrounding ter¬
ritory, including the southern portion of the peninsula of Florida, which at
present is in portions partially submerged and subjected to annual or peri¬
odical inundations, resulting from the inefficient natural drainage, affording
suitable outlets for the accumulated storm waters.
It will be impossible to form or convey an adequate idea of the impor¬
tance and extent of this enterprise, developing, as a consequence, a new and
vast territory, unlimited in resources, and of such material and varied agricul¬
tural wealth as can be furnished by no other State in the Union ; opening to
cultivation a tract of sugar lands, the soil of which is identical to that of Cuba
and Louisiana of a productive power apparently inexhaustible and unequaled
in area by any country on the globe. The prominent natural requisites to the
growth and maturity of the sugar cane, under the most favorable conditions
obtain here in a marked degree.
A moderate proximity of these lands to the sea and gulf, a dry warm
spring, showers during the afternoons in June, July and August, followed by
a comparatively dry autumn, a condition necessary for converting the starch
into saccharine matter, are characteristics of the peninsula of Florida south of
the 28th parallel of latitude. The importance of this one crop as affecting the
material wealth of our country, can be more readily comprehended by a bare
comparison with the enormous output in precious metals from our western
mines, those great storehouses of national wealth. The import duties on
sugar for manufacturing purposes from the year 1847 to 1879 varied from 2f
to 4 cents per pound. We paid out for sugar and allied products, dur¬
ing this period, $1,800,000,000. Our western mines produced $1,700,000,000,
or in other words, during a period of thirty-two years, as a nation, we paid
out in round numbers $100,000,000, in excess of the total output in bullion of
our famed bonanzas of the west, for an article of consumption every pound
of which could have been produced from the soil of southern Florida.
OKEECHOBEE LAND COMPANY OF FI.ORIDA.
7
ATLANTIC COAST STEAMBOAT CANAL.
In constructing the above Coast Canal from the St. John's River south,
advantage may he taken of the waters of Pablo Creek, North River, Mantan-
zjs River, Mata Compra, and Smith's or Haulover Creeks, Halifax and Hills-
boro' Rivers, Mosquito Lagoon, Indian River, St. Lucie Sound, Jupiter Nar¬
rows, Lake Worth Creek, and Lake Worth.
All of the above-named waters are adjacent to and generally parallel
with the east coast of Florida, being separated from the ocean by peninsulas
and extended narrow islands, varying in width from a comparatively few yards
to several miles; these inland waters affording an almost unbroken line of
communication, may at a reasonably moderate expenditure in systematic con¬
struction presenting no embarrassing engineering problems, be developed
into a great canal possessing features peculiarly its own ; merely where the arti¬
ficial work of joining river to river is performed can it be regarded as a canal
proper, as from these points it develops into those majestic arms of the sea
from thirty to one hundred and twenty miles in length, varying from one to
six miles in width, bordered on either side by a country ending unbounded
natural agricultural resources', a semi-tropical luxuriance in beauty of foliage,
scenery of an exceedingly variegated and picturesque character, and blessed
with a climate throughout the entire year the most equable and salubrious
enjoyed by any State in the Union.
In view of the natural advantages generally cited, experience and sta¬
tistics guarantee that continued health may be anticipated with as much
confidence as in any other section of the country; lands cheap and readily
accessible, ease of tillage, from the fact that, owing to the friable character of
the soil, cultivation is neither laborious nor expensive; the harvesting of crops
covering the widest scope, embracing nearly all of the grains, fruits and vege¬
tables of the Northern, Middle, and Southern States; besides tropical and
semi-tropical fruits and fibrous plants in great variety, and maturing to that
degree of perfection developed at no other point within the bounds of the
United States, or indeed anywhere north of Central America—it is fair to
assume that immediately subsequent to its completion the unoccupied lands
bordering the canal will be entered upon by those experienced in agriculture;
capitalists, merchants, speculators, and all of the elements that enter into the
thrift and prosperity of a new country, will settle along its borders, forming
the nucleus of future thriving villages, communities and cities, constituting
the pioneers of that great and inevitable people destined to populate and har¬
vest from the rich prairie, savanna and upland of the interior, bountiful and
staple crops, for the production-of which nature for past cycles has been pre¬
paring the soil by the enriching process of growth and decay of a luxuriant
vegetation.
O
8
ATLANTIC AND GULF COAST CANAL AND
ALIGNMENT OF CANAL.
From St. Augustine the Mantanzas Kiver extends in a southerly direc¬
tion a distance of 25 miles, with an average width of one-half mile. Its waters
are salt and tidal, and with the exception of isolated bars, and a rapid shoaling
for a distance of 3 miles from the head of the river, there is a fair channel for
light-draught boats. Anastasia island, which acts as a breakwater for the
harbor of St. Augustine, forms the eastern shore line for a distance of 18 miles
to Mantanzas Inlet. The natural surface is not so elevated as on the west
shore, and is composed in part of shell land and black loamy sand, capable of
producing profitable crops. On the main land are beautiful groves of pine,
red cedar and oak. Desirable cleared land is worth from $50 to $100 per acre,
depending on location and richness of soil. South of Mantanzas Inlet the
river rapidly contracts in width and depth to its junction with Pellicers Creek,
at which point the work of constructing that portion of the canal connecting
the Halifax Kiver properly begins, consisting of a cut 18 miles in length. In
this operation advantage may be taken of the Mantanzas to its junction with
the Mata Compra Creek, thence generally following this stream to its head,
from which, for a distance of 6 miles, the route crosses the country to the
source of Smith's Creek, which will have to be deepened and straightened to
within 4 miles of the head of the Halifax. The country to the west of this
portion of the line consists of flat woods, prairie, savannas, high and low
hammock of oak, palmetto, wild orange, etc. ; the surface undulating, soil
sandy, and judging from the topography and general indications the opening
of this section of the canal can be readilv accomplished.
That interesting arm of the sea, whose several divisions are known
respectively as Halifax River, Hillsboro' Kiver, and Mosquito Lagoon, forming
a common channel, with an outwatering at Mosquito Inlet (Lat. 29° 1ST.), con¬
tinues to the south and parallel with the ocean beach a distance of 55 miles,
and is separated from it by a narrow strip of land about three-fourths of a mile
in width. The hamlets and towns of Holly Hill, New Britain, Daytona, Hali¬
fax City, Port Orange, Blake Post-office,and New Smyrna, on the margin of
the river, are desirably located, principally on rich, high hammock lands of
palmetto, oak, and other forest trees. The inhabitants are from all sections of
the Union, generally prosperous and anxiously awaiting the opening of the
canal, and the consequent impetus to the general industries of the country.
Daytona is the most important town on the river, possesses a good hotel,
stores, etc. New Smyrna, in the year 1770, was the seat of a large and profit¬
able trade in indigo, immense crops of which were cultivated by a colony of
Minoreans, under the guidance of Andrew Turnbull, the dense hammocks,
old canals and turnpikes are silent monuments attesting to the vast extent of
the plantations devoted to this enterprise. The river varies in width from one-half
OKEECHOBEE LAND COMPANY OF FLORIDA.
9
to two and one-half miles, possessingafairly direct channel,intercepted bysand
and ouster bars, rendering portions of the route very tortuous; beautiful islands
dot its surface, and the shore lines are covered with verdure to the water's edije.
A low belt of sand about 700 yards in width, pierced by a narrow canal, known as
the Haulover, separates this system from Indian River, whose coraline bed and
generally well-clefinecl shore line extends a distance of one hundred and twenty
miles to the south, a narrow fringe of sand protecting it from the ocean, the only
communication therewith being at Indian River Inlet, Lat. 27° 30' N.
At the respective distances of ten, twenty-one and thirty-six miles from the
Haulover, Titusville, Rock Ledge and Eau Gallie are located; the first named,
the county seat of Brevard County, being the most prominent. It possesses
a gOod hotel, and is the general headquarters for business on the river. Rock
Ledge is the centre of a large section of country devoted to the cultivation of
the orange. One thousand acres of land in this vicinity will, when set in
trees, give an output of over 300,000 boxes per annum. Merritt's Island,
extending from the head of the river to a point opposite Eau Gallie, is noted
for its valuable lands, tropical fruits, and rich yield from the sugar cane. The
St. Sebastian River partially drains the northern portion of the Halpatiokee
Flats, and is the most prominent of several streams joining the lagoon north
of Indian River narrows, which are due to a number of islands contracting
the channel at this point. Fort Capron, fifty-six miles south of Eau Gallie,
and opposite Indian River inlet, is the site of a military post, established in
1849. Meteorological observations, extending over a series of years,
shows an equable temperature, with comparative dryness, mild and.
salubrious climate, and absolute immunity, from epidemic disease.
An abundance of fruit, vegetables, game, fish, oysters, etc., would
certainly commend this as a site for a commodious hotel. Twenty-
five miles south the St. Lucie River, which is the principal outlet for
the drainage of a vast territory lying east of Lake Okeechobee, is conflu¬
ent with the Indian River; it has a wide and deep channel branching off into
a north and south prong, and in constructing a drainage canal from
Lake Okeechobee to the forks of the St Lucie, opposite the mouth of
the latter, it will be necessary to open an inlet connecting Indian River with
the ocean. The inlet at Gilbert's Bar, just south, has been opened on several
occasions, and as often, due to its natural features, closed. On the east side
of Indian River, just north of the mouth of the St. Lucie, a large bay extends
towards the ocean, and is separated therefrom by a sandy ridge not over 300
feet wide, with a possible underlying stratum of coquina. I he ocean beach
forms a slight cove at this point, beyond which is a reef exposed at low tide
and concave to the shore line. These conditions are very favorable to the
maintenance of an inlet, the opening of which I would recommend at this
point; and if once formed due to the action of tidal waters, its peimanency is
assured. Indian River, for a distance of 120 miles, will average one and a half
miles in width, widening at points to five miles, with a generally diiect channel,
requiring dredging at intervals in order to render it safely navigable. t
10
ATLANTIC AND GULF COAST CANAL AND
The land bordering" the river is generally high and low hammock,
interspersed with scrub palmetto, with some marsh adjacent the narrows.
The soil is very productive, sugar cane and tropical fruits maturing to per¬
fection. Three miles south of the St. Lucie we enter Jupiter Narrows, which,
as indicated on my plan, are very tortuou3, necessitating the labor of straight¬
ening and deepening at several points. They extend south, measured by the
channel, a distance of 20 miles to Jupiter Inlet, intercepting Peck's Lake and
Hope Sound; a dense growth of mangrove covers the low borders; and from
general observations afforded by the openings, I inferred the land for the
entire distance to be of good quality, and the same, character as that further
north.
A continuation of Jupiter Inlet, to the west for a distance of eight
miles, forms the Loocaliaehee, a broad river from which are several branches,
bordered by cypress, oak, etc., leading into the prairies and flats. From the
inlet to Lake Worth, by the windings of Lake Worth Creek, the distance is
about thirteen miles, in a direct line not over seven. A single cut of one
hundred yards in length will make a saving of one and one-half miles in dis¬
tance ; this same feature is noticeable in a marked degree at other points.
There is a depth of live feet of water in the channel from its mouth to the rapids ;
from this point to the canal and Ilaulover at Lake Worth the water is com¬
paratively shallow, and at its head is about eight feet above the level of the
surface of the lake. A direct cut from the rapids to little Lake Worth, which
is immediately north of Lake Worth proper, would shorten the distance materi¬
ally. It is not necessary to comment on the favorable character of the land in
the vicinity of Lake Worth, as, even with its present development, semi-weekly
cargoes of vegetables and tropical fruits in their respective seasons could be
provided.
ESTIMATES, ETC.
In the foregoing I have rapidly sketched the general physical character¬
istics of the rivers and their confluent streams, which we propose to utilize in
the construction of the Atlantic Coast Steamboat Canal; and having pointed out
somewhat in detail the particular sections where specific work will be required
in order to successfully open this line to travel, it will only be necessary here
to say, that the proposed method of performing the major part of the excava¬
tion will be by labor-saving appliances, especially designed for this work, con¬
sisting of several steam dredging machines constructed on the continuous lad¬
der principle, and embracing the latest improvements after the designs ofthe
patentee, Joseph Menge, of New Orleans, Louisiana, and said to combine
great efficiency with ease of manipulation and economy in power. The mate¬
rial is excavated at one handling and deposited at a distance of from fifty to
one hundred feet on either side of the machine. As each dredge will be capa¬
ble of making a clean cut of twenty-two feet in width, it is proposed to lash
OKEECHOBEE LAND COMPANY OF FLORIDA.
11
them in pairs, and at one operation open a canal liaviug a cross-section of
forty-four feet at the base, provided with side slopes of two feet horizontal to
one foot vertical. It is desirable to construct the channel to this section at
once, thereby obviating the necessity of goingover the work immediately sub¬
sequent to the opening of the canal. At the proposed cut connecting Indian
River with Mosquito Lagoon, the force and direction of the prevailing winds
have, the effect of either lowering or banking the waters at the head of these
respective rivers, thereby creating a rapid north or south current through the
cut ; the effect of which may possibly produce a shoaling or bar at either
mouth of the canal. If this condition prevails, it will be necessary to construct
light gates in the canal, for tbe purpose of controlling the action of the water
and preventing a sedimentary deposit in the channel or approaches thereto.
The topographical features of the country will permit of a general alignment
for canal on the most direct route connecting the several rivers and navigable
streams, although additional instrumental work will be required before enter¬
ing upon the definite location of the line and adjustment of grades.
From St. Augustine to the St. John's River, the most available route
will be to follow the general course of North River, which is navigable for
light-draught boats, a distance of 15 miles; thence to straighten and
deepen this river to its head, from which, by a northerly cut of 4 miles
we enter the valley of Pablo Creek, the channel of which will of necessity be
deepened and made of a more direct course to a point near its confluence
with the St. John's. In the labor of removing sand-bars existing in the Hali¬
fax and Indian Rivers, a system of direct conveyance of the dredged materials
by lines of light weight, wrought or sheet iron pipe suitably adjusted and con¬
nected with the hoppers of the dredge, would add to the economy of the opera¬
tion in these sections. By the arrangement indicated excavated material
could be deposited at a distance of at least 500 feet from the dredge ; thereby
obviating the possibility of obstructions forming in the channel, due to the
refilling of material recently excavated and placed adjacent thereto. I have
estimated that the actual operation of opening to travel, by light-draught com¬
modious steamboats, the canal connecting the St. John's River with Lake
Worth, will necessitate the immediate construction and remodeling of about
61 miles of the route. This work is independent of that which will
necessarily follow, in order to render it of a permanent and satisfactory char¬
acter, and is divided as follows :
From St. John's River to St. Augustine, _ . . . . 20 miles
From St. Augustine to the head of Halifax River, . . 18 "
For removing bars in Halifax, . ■ • ■ 6
For excavations at Ilaulover, connecting Indian River with Mosquito
Lagoon, . . • - ■ • 3 "
For excavating from Haulover to the St. Lucie, principally removing bars, 4 ^
From St. Lucie to Jupiter Inlet, ■. . • • 5 ^
From Jupiter to Lake Worth, ..... 5^
Total distance, 61 miles
1-2
ATLANTIC AND GULF COAST CANAL AND
Taking into consideration the necessity of handling, at certain portions
of the line, more material than is due to the sectional area of the canal, the
possibility of shelling or rip-rapping some portions of the slope, in order to
prevent undermining from the wash occasioned by passing boats, and the
removal of underlying strata of coquina or limestone, not apparent from an
examination of the surface along the proposed route, I have concluded to
adopt a uniform depth of cutting for the entire distance, which I will place at
6 feet.
This applied to a section having a base of 44 feet, with slopes of 2 feet
horizontal to 1 foot vertical, will give a sectional area of 37.33 square yards,
say 38 square yards, or 38 by 61 by 1,760= 4,079,680 cubic yards of excava¬
tion for the entire distance of 61 miles.
The actual cost of this character of work in Louisiana by the Menge
dredge is 2 cents per cubic yard. I do not deem it prudent to place the
fig"to cover all contingencies at less than 5 cents per cubic yard. This sum
applied to the estimated yardage, 4,079,680, would amount to $203,984.
The time required to complete the entire work can be approximated as
follows: One dredge in 10 hours will excavate 350 lin. feet 22 by 6=1,711
cubic yards. Two dredges, working 20 hours each, will do four times this
amount, or 6,844 cubic yards—say 7,000 yards, [fit were possible to operate
continuously under the above conditions, it would require 580 days for two
boats to complete the entire work. As the feature of immediate importance,
in this connection, is the early opening of communication between St. Augqs-
tine and the Indian River, I infer from the above data that two dredge boats
would accomplish this work in about eight months of 25 clays each. This
time could be shortened by an independent operation in opening the canal at the
Haulover, or head of Indian River.
As the excavated part of the canal will be comparatively narrow, pro¬
viding a width of not over 56 to 60 feet at the surface of the water, a high
rate of speed throughout these portions would quickly impair the work, and
therefore cannot be expected until an opportunity is afforded to remodel the
section by widening and somewhat deepening the channel.
The revenue to be derived from carrying supplies and general freight
required to meet the present demand of the country adjacent to the route, the
transportation of crops and affording ample facilities for marketing the varied
products of the country, added to the receipts from mail service and general
passenger traffic, which for five or six months of the year, during the tourist
sojourn, will tax to the uttermost the capacity of the boats . to accom¬
modate,—leaves no doubt as to the value of this canal when completed.
Under the laws of Florida a grant of the alternate sections for six miles
along the canal will accrue to your company, being equal to 3,840 acres per
mile of constructed canal.
In order to perfect the line, additional work will be required along the
greater portion of the route, and the revenue derived from the sale of lands
OKEECHOBEE LAND COMPANY OF FLORIDA.
13
acquired will return a handsome bonus on the original investment not only,
but this particular interest in a few years will assume proportions of such mag¬
nitude as to warrant an expenditure in excess of one million dollars:
IMPROVEMENT OF OKEECHOBEE LANDS.
The reclamation of the land included in that portion of the peninsula
•of Florida south of latitude 28° 15' N., and generally east of Pease Creek,
embraced in the counties of Monroe (5,000 square miles), Dade (5,000 square
miles), Brevard (4,000 square miles), and portions of Manatee (5,000 square
miles), and Polk (1,900 square miles), is a problem the magnitude of which
•can he more readily comprehended when we consider that the territory in
question covers 1,000 square miles in excess of the combined area of the States
of lthodelsland (1,300 square miles), Connecticut(4,700 squaremiles), New Jer¬
sey (8,300 square miles), and Delaware (2,120 square miles). In other words,
over 17,000 square miles of the most tropical portion of the most tropical State
in the Union are to-day ready to respond to an intelligent, systematic and
properly directed effort towards placing them in the category of tillable and
available acres, embracing no barren prairies nor mountain wastes. There
are but few acres not susceptible to a high degree of cultivation. Lands which
in a more northern climate would be regarded as valueless, will here yield luxu¬
riant and remunerative crops. For example, the scrub palmetto or poorest
pine barrens of southern Florida will produce, without fertilizers, large crops
•of sisal hemp; yielding a profit to the acre which compares favorably with
the returns from the richest land when cultivated in sugar, tobacco or cotton.
The same character of land will produce from 50 to 75 bushels of upland rice
to the acre—a three months' crop; or at a trifling original outlay, 15,000
pine-apple slips, set to the acre, will from the poorest scrub land yield a return
far in excess of the brightest dream of the Northern farmer. Other valuable
tropical products adapted to these lands could be mentioned, which, in a more
northern climate, would yield nothing to agriculture. This glance at the pos¬
sibilities to be realized from the cultivation of third-rate pine and stunted
" Black Jack " lands prepares us somewhat for a better appreciation of the
capabilities of the soil designated as " rich lands," and named in the following
order : First, " swamp lands; " second, " low hammock ; " third, " high ham¬
mock; " and fourth, " first-rate, pine, oak, and hickory lands." It will only
be necessary to call attention to the fact that the " swamp"—or lands sub¬
ject to overflow—are intrinsically the moSt valuable lands in Florida. To
adapt them for successful cultivation a systematic plan for their draiuage will
be indispensable; when thus prepared, their inexhaustible fertility sustains a
succession of the most exhaustive crops'with astonishing vigor. The greatest
yield of sugar ever realized in Florida (4 hogsheads per acre) was produced on
this description of land.
14
ATLANTIC AND GULF COAST CANAL AND
Tlie peculiar characteristics of the coraline foundation, upon which the
peninsula of Florida has, by a gradual and cumulative process, beeu raised to
its present level above the waters of the ocean; the configuration of its sur¬
face, and that other marked geographical feature as indicated by the enor¬
mous extent of her coast line, exceeding 1100 miles on the gulf and Atlantic,
indented by numerous large bays and estuaries; the uniform width of the
lower portion of the peninsula, and comparative short distance separating the
waters of the gulf and Atlantic; taken in connection with the successive
slight ridges or table lands, generally parallel with the coast line, comprehend¬
ing within their borders long reaches of savanna, prairie and marsh, and
increasing in altitude as we proceed towards the interior or water-shed of the
Kissimmee River, whose flows empties into that grand inland reservoir, Lake
Okeechobee,—we have before us the necessary data upon which to develop
the plan for the solution of the problem of successfully draining and reclaim¬
ing this vast territory of notably rich lands.
Lake Okeechobee, under normal conditions, is the grand receptacle for
the waters of the rivers, and their water-shed emptying into it; and as
it is provided with no natural or direct outlet we are surprised to learn that
for the ordinary seasons, and particularly during periods of drought, the level
of the water in the lake gradually lowers, the surrounding land becomes in
a measure passable; the savannas and swamp lands of the interior afford excel¬
lent pasturage for large herds of cattle, and this in face of the fact that the
Kissimmee and other streams continue to pour in their constant normal supply
derived from the infiltration from the lowlands on their borders. This feature
is an important one, as it teaches us that wo are not called upon to guard
against the ordinary conditions existing, but those of an extraordinary
nature. In other words, I am confident that the Kissimmee River (the
'grand feeder to Lake Okeechobee) does not supply enough water during eight
months of the year to provide for the item of evaporation alone, from the sur¬
face of the lake—not taking into consideration that other, and more important
question of soakage or filtration. For example: In the absence of positive
data I assume the Kissimmee River to be 120 feet wide and 10 feet deep,
flowing with a mean velocity of 2 feet per second ; it would discharge into Lake
Okeechobee, under these conditions, about 207,360,000 cubic feet of water in
24 hours. Again, assuming Lake Okeechobee to be 40 miles long and 25 miles
wide, which is within limits, we would have an area of 1,000 square miles;
this would give, at 1 foot in depth, 27,878,400,000 cubic feet of water. The
amount of evaporation from surfaces of water exposed to sun and wind is esti¬
mated at from one-eighth to three-tenths of an inch per day. Taking the
lesser figure, or one-eighth of an inch, as the basis for calculation, the evapo¬
ration from the surface of Lake Okeechobee would aggregate 290,400,000
cubic feet of water for a depth of one-eighth of an inch, or a quantity,
83,040,000 cubic feet, in excess of the inflow from the Kissimmee River alone.
Hence it is only during abnormal conditions that the waters of the lake rise^
OKEECHOBEE LAND COMPANY OF FLORIDA.
15
above the low shore lines, discharge into the surrounding country through tho
medium of an extensive border of saw-grass marph, and from this by seepage
spreading over the flats, prairies, and low woods on either side. This con¬
dition is aggravated from the fact that the natural outlets to the gulf and ocean
from these low-lying grounds are widely separated, the course of the streams
tortuous and inefficient in every particular; therefore, periodically, large areas
are submetged for several months at a time. The correction of these condi¬
tions over the whole area controlled by your company will necessitate a large
expenditure in the item of labor, and cover a period extending over several
years. The first requirement will be the permanent lowering of the surface
ot Lake Okeechobee by suitable drainage canals of large capacity, thereby
providing a quick and direct transit of the surface waters to the Atlantic or
Gult, which will at once reclaim from overflow a large area of sugar lands;
the deepening and straightening of the rivets emptying into Lake Okeecho¬
bee, assisted by lateral canals or ditches, will, of a consequence, be the work
ot time, and will afford a rapid discharge from their water-shed into this grand
reservoir; the sinking or lowering the main drainage canals from Lake
Okeechobee to the Atlantic, in order to more readily carry off the water
trom the intervening marshes and flats by a system of lateral canals and
branches connecting therewith and placed at suitable intervals; tapping the
ridge, separating the saw-grass marshes from the Atlantic and Gulf by short
canals at points hereinafter to be determined, whereby advantage can be taken
of the fall existing within a short distance of the coast line, which, if properly
utilized, would materially assist in solving the problem of reclaiming the
southern portions of Dade and Monroe counties. To provide for the-
construction of the canal connecting Lake Okeechobee with the St.
Lucie River, I have relied upon the following data as sufficient upon
which to base an estimate. Distance, 21 miles ; fall, 1 foot to the mile';
section of canal, 220 feet wide and 10 feet deep. Applying the proper formula,.
I find we will have a velocity of 3.86 lin. feet per second, or 2.63 miles
per hour, and a capacity of passing 733,708,800 cubic feet of water in twenty-
four hours. On the other hand, if Lake Okeechobee is 40 miles long by
25 miles wide, covering an area of 1,000 square miles, it would require-
38 da}*s for this canal to lower the surface (of Lake Okeechobee) 1 foot,
providing no water other than sufficient to meet the loss by evaporation and
filtration enters.
As to cost of constructing the drainage canal the equation 22-|y10x5,280-
x21 gives 9,036,720 cubic yards as the quantity of material required to be
excavated, due to the section and distance as stated.
This at 2c. per cubic yard by dredging amounts to §180,734.
" "• 5c. " '• " " " " 451,836.
As experiments on a small scale have demonstrated that water flowing
at the velocity of .44 of a mile per hour will lift sand as coarse as linseed. At
.51 of a mile per hour, moves fine gravel; at 1J miles per hour, moves peb-
16
okeechobee land company of florida.
bles about one inch in diameter; at 2.26 miles per hour, moves pebbles as
large as an egg ; at 3§ miles per hour, begins to wear away soft shistus. It
is fair to assume that the scour will be more rapid at a greater depth than a
small one, and that what is required in the case under consideration is more
particularly to give direction to the flow by a properly constructed channel.
This may be done by starting a cut from a branch of the St. Lucie at a point
in Section 11, T. 38, S. R. 40 E., and connecting with Lake Okeechobee in
Section 20, T 39, S. R. 37 E., making the channel 2-^xl,760x21=776,160
cubic yards. It will require one dredge about seven months to do the work.
This cut once made, and embankments to prevent the overflow.of the
Halpatiokee Flats provided, it will, due to the scouring effect of the water
under the constant head of Lake Okeechobee, soon be converted into a deep
and broad stream. In order to secure the benefit from this canal for the rapid
drainage of the low grounds intervening between Lake Okeechobee and the
St. Lucie River, it will be necessary in time to carry the water almost at tide-
level inland a distance of 10 miles. In the above I have not taken into con¬
sideration the possible expense due to the removal of coquina or limestone
rock, as I saw no surface indication nor evidence of such formation in the
beds of the streams crossed on the route from Lake Okeechobee to the St.
Lucie River. The work of constructing a drainage canal connecting with the
Caloosahachee River at or near Ft. Thompson, should not be commenced at
once, as a rapid discharge of water from Lake Okeechobee directly
into the valley of this river, would undoubtedly inundate and possibly cover
with sediment a large area of the rich lands on its borders,—a fact very
apparent when we consider that the bed of the river at Ft. Thompson
Ferry was found (by Colonel Meigs in his survey made in the spring of 1879) to
be only 1^^ feet above mean low tide at Ft. Myers, a distance of 30 miles
airline nearer the Gulf. This work would be of great advantage after the
waters .in Lake Okeechobee had been permanently lowered, and the channel
of the Caloosaliatchee River straightened and deepened at places as required
in order to render it navigable.
In view of the advantages to be derived by your company and the State
of Florida from an early completion of the above enterprise, I would strpngly
recommend the immediate adoption of measures for an energetic prosecution
of the work.
Yery respectfully,
JAMES M. KREAMER, C. E.
201 Walnut Place, Philadelphia, June 3, 1881.
TO THE DIRECTORS OF THE
Atlantic and Gulf Coast Canal and Okeechobee Land Company
feT (OF FLORIDA).
©
h
V}
85
©
I herewith remit to you $ being the deposit of Five Dollars
©
Si . per Share payable on application for Shares in the above Com-
^ A,
^ pany. I request you to allot me the said Shares, and I agree to acoept the same
ft} H, or any smaller number which may be allotted to me, and to pay the further sum
© ©
1 of Five Dollars per Share on delivery of Shares and Land Certificates. '
55 Name in full,
5. -2
a, ®
#3 © Address,
s. ^
** !L,
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Q.
.§ "S —
fc, g
e" ■§ Date, 1881-
2
'S £ *
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11
js ©
"S"c~ "
if
£ I July. 1881.
RECEIVED from the
•
>C
sum of. Dollars, being the
deposit on application for Shares of the ATLANTIC AND
| GULF COAST CANAL AND OEEECEOBEE LAND COMPANY (of Florida).
9)
•*»
For the Atlantic and Gulf Coast Canal and
Okeechobee Land Company [of Florida)