The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-01-21

IL
we!egret 10 see that the project tor filing up a
part OF our harbor has received the official recon-
nation OF the highest municipal authority. So
long as the proposal for extending the Battery into
the North river and bay, was presented only by
spectators, whose objects were too tran sparent to
be concealed, or urged by papers obviously under
their influence, little fear was entertained that a
pan so preposterous it's very face could possibly
be entertained seriously by those TO whom the wei
fare of cur city is entrusted. When, however, we
that one branch Of city legislature has lis
tened favorably to the proposition, and that the
Chief Magistrate, on whose paternal care We might
well have hoped TO rest tor the defeat OF the dis
sstrous measure by the interpostion Of his veto,
has, In fact, prejudged the question, il is time for
all who have any interest in the prosperity OF the
city, to consider well the dangers to which that
prosperity is exposed.
New York owes all Its superiority over Its COM
mercial rivals TO the possession OF harbor, hard
" Ilvalied, nowhere exceeded, IN any part OF the
globe. Besides the capacIous anchorages between
the Narrows and the northern extremity of the city
on the side OF the Hudson, it has, between Cover
nor's Island and WillIamsburgh, in the East river,
sheltered haven, in which all the navles of the
world might find refuge. This haven, however,
has even, within the memory OF man, been altered
for the worse by improvldent works, and has ma
teIialy changed, even when 1t has not been injur-
ed. Its natural advantages have, indeed, Preserv-
ed it from the ruin to which carelessness has ex-
posed IT. but it is not so highly favored by nature
that it can be forever preserved, and the time may
come, when It will be necessary for large ships to
to the sheres of Long Island, the wharves of
Jersey city, or TO stop al the quarantine ground n
stead OF dschargng their cargoes upon the wharves
OF South street.
The chsnges our harbor has undergone, even
within the memory OF man, are most extraordi-
nary: others still more remarkable are known by
tradition, on the inspection OF ancient maps. In
these We learn that from the foot Of Dover street
TO Wall street there lay originally a crescent
shaped bay, of a depth sufficient 10 receive the
largest ships within few feet of the shore, whose
strand corresponded very nearly with the line Of
Pearl street. So much of the Battery as lies
south of line drawn from the end Of Water
street, in Whitehall street 10 the North river,
was channel with rocky bed, separated from
the main current of the East river by reef. On
this reef battery was built, and connected with
the main land by pier. In the eddy formed by
this pier deposit accumulated, rendering the bay
of which we have spoken inaccessible to large
ships. From time to time II became necessary 10
extend the piers, until what was fondly hoped
would be permanent line, drawn for the eX-
uemlty OF the whaTvts, at "A distance of more than
two hundred yards from the original beach.
IL might at first sight be supposed that works on
the side Of the city could have lIitle TO do
with these changes. All persons, however, who
recollect have crossed the East river before the
introduction of steamboats,, are aware OF the fact
that the main body of the flood TIDE sets from
the whapes at Whitehall street, directly upon
the ferry piers at Brooklyn, generally hav.
ing an eddy on the New York side. All
who have taken the trouble to observe the
currents and tides from the Battery, will have
remarked that as soon as the flood iide begins to
set In the East river, vast body of the descend
ing stream OF the Hudson sweeps around the point
OF the Battery, and exhibits what may be thought
by many the strange spectacle of strong ebO III
the rver and rapid flood in the arm of the sea.
IL Is tothls fact, the reason is well understood by
scientific men, that the former depth OF water along
the Southern shsre OF our island Is to be ascnbed.
Every extension of the Battery in either direction,
has lees ned the quantity OF water that would enter
the East rver from the Hudson; aud II Is tar from
a -
water of The Hudson SO far to the westward that il
shall not be able 10 enter the East river at all. Ii
this point Of encroachment be reached every space
within the pier heads on the East river, from
Whitehall to James street, will be filled up within
a few weeks, and the whole value of the wharfage
will be destroyed. No surmlse how little
or how much extension OF the Battery to the west
ward would suffice TO complete this oestruotion.
One thing, however slclear, the injury has elready
begun. Where there was deep water within few
years large ships can no longer Ie and the fast
step towards the destruction Of ihe valuable
natural advantages New York still possesses, even
IN am impaired degree, may not be as remote as We
would willingly hope.
We have in the commencement OF this Article,
called upon all who have an interest IN the pros
penty 81 our city 10 consider well this project.
We think we have shown that 1t IL franght
with disaster. Who, then, are the parties who
have an interest IN opposing IL On hrst
view, II might seem that II concerns only the
owners OF the South street wharves. Where
N
Not the North river, Which affords ltls shelter
for several months IN the year. Not on the East
ern chores Of the upper part of the islam !, for
beyond Twenty. fifth street. there Is no anchor
oge, and above Corlsers Hook there Is no
current to keep the basins open. Every holder Of
real'esfate the island therefore deeply con
cernsd in this question as the proprietors OF the
First ward But II il not those who re ii
estate, or those who are engaged m commerce.
who have the deepest stake. The carmen a1d
the mechanics Of New York derive the daily bread
Of themselves and families FROM the carrag. Of
the merchandise embarked and debarked az our
wharves, and from the creation OF the structures
for which commercial activity creates a constant
demand. STILL more IL every man who rises In
the morning TO seek his subsistence by the casual
employment which, ia our busy city, IL rarely
wanting To the industrious, convinced that, with
the ability and desire To labor, he shall not be lett
without food. because his occupation has departed
with the ships that can no longer approach our
shores
il il within the memory Of many persons now
living that when pusIlanimous state Legislature
thought il preferable TO place obstructions IN the
channel than TO trust TO the courage al our citizens
lsion Of the city OF New York rose az a single
man against a proposal winch they thought would
leave them nothing worth the defending.
At present project quite as threatening 10 our
prosperity is urged, without even the pret,nce of
benefit. Shall we not again, fellow-citzens, ION
wrh equal unsnimity IN defeating it. M.
The Gss q asstion.