The Coastland Times With Which Is Combined The Pilot And Herald Of Belhaven And Swan Quarter

WANCHESE HARBOR FISH FRY PROGRAM PLEASES HUNDREDS

Bonner Recites Difficulties: Admiral Colmar Mentions $25,000 Worth of Beacons Built

Speaking before some 500 people gathered at Wanchese Monday, Rear Admiral Peter V. Colmar, Commander of the 5th Coast Guard District said the Coast Guard has recently completed $10,000 worth of aids to navigation in the channel leading to Manteo, had another $15,000 worth in process of construction, and also would establish a radio beacon at Oregon Inlet.

Admiral Colmar was presented by P. D. Midgett, Jr. of Engelhard, a native of the Wanchese community, whose citizens staged a celebration honoring Congressman Herbert Bonner, for his efforts in Congress in achieving the one and a half million dollar dredging job by the Corp. of Engineers.

Prevented at the last minute from attending, Col. R. P. Davidson, District Engineer was represented by L. P. McDuffie, chief of the Engineering division of the Wilmington office. He was accompanied by D. A. Gardner, chief of the operations division. Mr. McDuffie told of the many complexities in finally establishing the location of the channel. He was presented by Dr. W. W. Harvey, Jr., chairman of the Dare County Waterways Committee.

The address of Welcome was by Melvin R. Daniels, Register of Deeds of Dare County and one of the promoters of the project. Victor Meekins, chairman of the County Board of Commissioners presided.

The only thing lacking to complete the project Meekins said, was the public dock on the new harbor that had been pledged by the county board, and which was a prerequisite to getting the government funds for the project. Private donations had provided money to buy a docksite, and the state had agreed to surface an access road to it, Meekins reported, and read a list of contributors to the land as follows:

Public acknowledgement was made of the financial contributions to the fund to buy land for a public dock on the Wanchese Harbor during 1959. The names included Virginia Electric & Power Co., First and Citizens National Bank, Norfolk and Carolina Tel. & Tel. Co., Miles Clark, Sanders Co., Industrial Bank, all of Elizabeth City: Ben Dixon MacNeill of Buxton; Taylor Johnson of Virginia Beach; O. L. Baum of Kitty Hawk; W. R. Deaton of Kill Devil Hills; Fearings, Inc.; A. H. Ward, Jr.; Roanoke Oil Co.; M. L. Daniels Oil Co.; Wescott Bros.; Oregon Inlet Fishing Center of Manteo; Chief Wanchese Packing Co.; James Griggs; Mack Etheridge; H. L. Davis; Willie Etheridge and Willie Etheridge, Jr.; Wayland, Billy and Harry Baum; W. C. Tillett; Ralph Tillett; Elton Gallop; Roscoe Gallop; R. H. Vanderslice; Jesse Etheridge; Richard Tillett; Edmond Wright; George and Arnold Daniels; and Victor Meekins who provided the land for harbor extension at a cost of several hundred dollars.

Numerous political leaders and other friends present were recognized. These included county representatives or nominees as follows: Dick Lupton of Hyde, Dr. J. M. Phelps of Washington, Walton Griggs of Currituck, C. D. Ferrell of Pasquotank, M. K. Fearing, Jr. of Dare, Mayor H. T. Davenport of Columbia, Mayor W. H. Potter of Beaufort, Senator Elton Aydlett, and Lorimer Midgett of Elizabeth City. Senator and Mrs. Elbert Peele, Jr., former Senator Robert Cowan, Ray Goodmon and Charles Sale, all of Williamston; R. K. T. Larson of Norfolk Newspapers, Robert F. Gibbs, Supt. Cape Hatteras National Seashore, Walter D. Perry and Major J. L.

See HARBOR, Page Five
HANDBOOK
(Continued from Page One)

Murphy of Kill Devil Hills; W. N. Spruill, Division Highway Engineer of Ahoskie.

Admiral Colmar flew to the Manteo Airport, with Mr. Larsen and Capt. Fred J. Scheiber of his staff where they were met by Chief Warrant Officer Melvin B. Midgett of the Cape Hatteras Area.

Mr. Bonner, who as presented by James W. Davis, President of the Ruritan Club. sponsors of the celebration, said Mr. Bonner needed no introduction, but he mentioned with enthusiasm the whole-hearted efforts that Mr. Bonner always gave to matters of concern to the area. A standing ovation was given Mr. Bonner, who paid high tribute to the people, and spoke of the promise that the new deep-water channel offered the community. He said:

"My friends. it is more than a pleasure for me to be here this afternoon to celebrate with you the completion of channel projects that mean so much to you, Dare County. and this community. It is fitting that this celebration is taking place on Labor Day. for the work to widen and deepen these waterways is a symbol of the longitude and latitude of the labor the good people of the coastal counties.

"As you know, I have endeavored for quite some time to make this project, once a dream, become a reality. I say with great pride that I am overjoyed in sharing with you this Labor Day the magnificence of this ceremony.

"I would like to point out that the completion of the work on these channels is more than economic improvement, more than a way of protecting life and property. more than a factor in our national defense--it represents the scope of a way of living!-Our way of living from the water and the land.

"For years to come the deepening of this channel will stand as a beacon of your progress-it is the longitude of labor-a measure of a community effort that will long be remembered as 'a sea-mark in the tides of time, it is proof that hard work and labor is not unjust.

Of course, commercial fishermen. farmers, and business men of this area will profit from the work that has been done here. Those who follow you as citizens of this community will also see financial gain-but I firmly believe that the advancement made by the combined hands and hearts of the great people of coastal North Carolina is the real value

to be recognized here today.

"For years to come the widening of this channel will stand as a causeway for your progress-it is the latitude of labor-the magnitude of collective hearts. bodies, and minds laboring together for a single purpose--the progressive development of a society of working people. The widening of this channel will open the way for a flood-tide of fishing. business, and civic activity that will be an example for our neighbors and friends in other parts of the state and country.

"The spirit of Labor Day is profoundly manifest in this celebration today. The working man has long been recognized as the most important reflection of any society. Today we are in the midst of a new industrial revolution-the potential achievements of the modern laborer are unlimited. Your advancement here on the coast is proof of this!

"Many of you gain your livelihood from the sea: many of you make your living from the land: some of you in various other means of work: whatever the position, job, or status might be-you represent the greatest cross-section of American life-the working man and woman.

"I have always been proud to be your Congressman for I represent all the attitudes, feelings, wants and needs you represent. Indeed. I am happy I was asked here today for I can see that my efforts and wishes to make this project complete. and successful are fulfilled. Thank you for allowing me to be a part of it.

"Let me leave you with one more thought. Labor Day is not only a holiday symbolizing the significance of the working man, but is is also a symbol of our cherished freedom. In a world full of conflict the preservation of freedom should be foremost in our thoughts and deeds. Let us hope and pray that we will always sbe able to celebrate Labor Day in this peaceful manner and that the spirit of free working people will spread throughout the world.

Thank you."