Co mn ae an ee eae nem er mene 514 Chronicles of the Cape Fear Rwer The crop of 1870-71 amounted to about 100,000 bushels, of an aggregate value of $200,000. The crop this year is largely in excess. Among the manufactures of interest and value should be mentioned cane fibre, by a patented process from the swamp cane, with which our swamps abound, and which is reproduced in three years after cutting and of a quality superior to the original growth. The prepared fibre is used in the manufacture of paper and papier-maché goods. Barrel shooks are manufactured to a great extent and shipped to Northern markets for the reception of syrups from sugar manufactories. Fuel for manufacturing purposes is very cheap, and princi- pally of the surplus sawdust and shavings from steam saw and planing mills, which may be had for the asking. Pine wood is in abundance at low prices. Banking facilities are by no means sufficient to meet the de- mands of trade; but as our people recuperate more steadily from the disastrous effects of their late struggle, this want 1s being supplied. In the present condition of our bar and river, vessels drawing over 12 to 1214 feet require to be lightered to and from a point outside the Rip, whence they can always sail with 1514 to 16 feet. Our harbor restored, we confidently expect to find at least 20 feet at mean low tide on the bar (with a rise of tide 4 to 5 feet), and the removal of obstructions in the river will give us ample water for our docks. CUBAN MAN-OF-WAR INCIDENT. Early in October, 1869, a remarkable incident occurred in Cape Fear waters which drew the attention of the civilized world upon the port of Wilmington. Cuba was in a state of in- surrection against the Spanish Government and, although there was no established seat of government, the Cubans proclaimed a republic. Neither the United States nor any foreign power, except some South American States, had recognized the Cuban Republic or accorded the rights of belligerents. Therefore, when the Cuban man-of-war Cuba, alias Hornet, alias Lady Stirling, alias Prince Albert, for she had assumed all of these names in order to escape detection at sea, arrived Peace Restored 515 on a quiet Sunday morning in the Cape Fear River, she made quite a sensation, which was increased when two of her officers spears at the First Presbyterian Church in Wilmington and 2 = — his devotions, in front of this writer, the late Mr : = a Worth, the only dealer in coal in ‘he. town at that _— = a request that he deliver at once a supply of coal for oat mae ee requisition upon the straight-laced omptly rejected, much to the di dismay of the appli nes vcdtdaae onan pplicants, who were told that he did not sell — ata eran Meantime, the Washington eee ormed by wire that the Cuba I tons register, with two smok ee ee estacks, two. masts, brig-ri pierced for 18 guns, two of which oan pivots a oe mington for needed —-* ed supplies with which to prey upon Spanish Prompt action followed thi ) s news. The United Stat - boat Frolic (formerly the North Carolina blockade Ba 5 vance) and two other war vessels were dispatched to the Cape Fear to interce pt the stranger, and the F quently seized and ent = ederal Court subse- BOARD OF COMMISSIONERS OF NAVIGATION AND PILOTAGE. T = 0 ae enor of the Board of Commissioners of Navigation Be a a the cooperation of the Chamber of Com- with the aid of our representatives in Congress, are he river and harbor improve- d teas and establishment of the new Gi ee he See Pe ae hoa the board obtained, through great persever- ate ~ EP opriation from Congress), the construction of the ip neg te eet on the coast, the systematic monthly soundings ear e 2 se ates pilots, the quarterly charted sound- Comment a and river (which are posted in the Chamber of » the reduction of bar and river casualties until they