ISLAND HISTORY


The proposal to develop a port at Quonset may require blasting to dredge the Narragansett Bay shipping channel, The Jamestown Press reported April 2, 1998.

Because the work would be north of Jamestown, marine experts have said the blasting needed to dredge the channel to its proposed depth of 55 feet would shake Conanicut Island to its bedrock. Because of this allegation, Dennis Nixon, a Jamestown oceanographer, is stepping up as an outspoken critic against the proposal.

100 years ago — March 29, 1919 (Newport Mercury)

The lobster fishermen in Narragansett Bay evidently are planning for a big season this year, as there have been many more licenses granted than in previous years. The commissioners met Monday at the courthouse in Newport to issue licenses to more than 80 applicants.

75 years ago—March 31, 1944 (Newport Mercury)

George Simpson presided at the last meeting of the Jamestown Town Council before the coming election set for April 5.

William Foster Caswell was appointed to the zoning board to fill the vacancy that existed since the death of George Wright, whose term of office expires in 1945.

At the suggestion of the president, Thomas Sheehan, who was unable to be present, letters of commendation were ordered sent to Cmd. Owen Bartlett, Thomas Hunt and Albert Boone for their services in the civilian defense work.

50 year ago — March 31, 1969 (Newport Daily News)

Newport County residents saluted the late Dwight D. Eisenhower, a frequent visitor to the area while he was the 34th president of the United States, with memorial services throughout the area. Schoolchildren throughout Newport, Portsmouth and Jamestown participated in memorial exercises organized by their principals.

Commander in World War II of the mightiest armed force ever assembled, the announcement of Eisenhower’s death was made Friday in a somber voice by Brig. Gen Frederic Hughes Jr., commanding general of Walter Reed Army Hospital.

U.S. Navy Secretary John Chaffee, former Rhode Island governor, said Eisenhower “brought out the very best in Americans and we all loved him for that.”

U.S. Sen. Claiborne Pell added, “President Eisenhower served our nation in war and peace, gallantly, wisely and well.”

25 years ago — March 31, 1994 (The Jamestown Press)

Narragansett Avenue will be planted with 33 new trees as part of a village improvement project. Money will come from a $4,500 state grant allocated to Jamestown, according to George Meservey, town planner.

“It’s part of an overall scheme for revitalizing downtown,” he said.

10 years ago — April 2, 2009 (The Jamestown Press)

The Rhode Island Turnpike and Bridge Authority has been named the defendant in a class-action lawsuit alleging that tolling tourists more than residents is unconstitutional. The plaintiffs are referring to fees at the Newport Pell Bridge.

“We strongly believe in the merits of our position,” said David Darlington, chairman of the agency’s board of directors.

In the 22-page filing with the U.S. District Court in Providence, the lawsuit said the tolling structure “violates the dormant commerce clause of the U.S. Constitution by granting substantial discounts to Rhode Island residents, denying discounts to nonresidents travelers utilizing the same facility.”