The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1850-07-02

THE EXTENT OF OUR RIVER STRAIN NAVIGATION
THE FLOATING PI.AcEs-TIIK PERRIEs-TIK
TRAVEL, ETo.
We have frequently adverted In our columns to the
vast and rspd increase OF city and to the
rous improvements that almost daily being
in It, In our records from time to time OF the
OF emigration to this port which, with every
year is on progressively increasing scale, IL
Illustrations Of its growing Importance With the growth
OF our population towns have arisen In i'm mediate
vicinity on either bank Of rivers vieng almost in
extent with Gotham ITSELF and nearly connected
that they seem to form vast city. The intimate
relations that necessarily exist between those various
towns have demanded facilities for frequent and rapid
intercourse between chem; and conseq rivers
are studded with boats ferryng population from
one portion to another. The gradual yet rapid in
crease of and improvements effected in these ferries
afford another interesting evidence of the growth and
prosperity Of New York On the North River have
ferry to Jersey City and another to Staten Island
both delightful localities for suburban residences We
have also ferry to Hoboken, than which, within
convenient distance, have not a more deli htful
retreat from the closeness and fatgses Of city life
On the East River have various ferries Brook
Ign and WILLIAMSBURG, towns that hardly be
sidered but combinations of the city itself In ad-
dition, We have rapid and daily communication up
each of rivers to towns which by the aid Of steam
are brought within few hours hail. We have been at
some pains to gather information in relation to each
of these departments of the steam navigation OF the
East and North Rivers and shall devote space to
the subject
THE FERRIES.
OF the ferries the most extensive those owned by
the Brooklyn Union Ferry Company, viz the Fulton
ferry, communicating between the streets of that
in Brooklyn and New York. respectively South ferry
from whitehall street to Atlantic street and Hamil-
ton avenue from the foot of Whitehall street These
ferries have been in operation years. but the
reduction of the fare to its present low standard and
many other important improvements, are OF much
more recent date. As consequence of the facilities
afforded the traffic these ferries is immense The
aggregate number Of communication passengers alone
exceeds nine thousand. At this season of the year
during fine weather. it Is calculated that upwards Of
thirty thousand persons cross by the boats either to
or from New York, in day, in addition to large
number of carriages and vehicles Of various descrp
tions. Every inducement is offered for the enoour-
agemen of this vast amount Of traffic both in the com
fort, frequency, and rspdity of the passages. The
boats fitted up in q handsome style, and
ceedingly oommodious. They are large and furnished
with powerful engines. During the day time, q boat
leaves each pier every FIVE or ten minutes, occu-
plying about Eve minutes in making the trip. In sd-
dtion to this at the Fulton ferry boat starts every
half hour during the whole night, which arrangement
is great convenience to persons furnishing the
kets in New York, and others. At each ferry, COM
Portable provided for the accommodation Of
passengers waiting the arrival of boats and indeed
the whole arrangements are made with a view to in
the safety Of passengers and the stability Of the
works About two hundred and thirty men are con-
stantly employed by the Brooklyn Union Ferry Com
papy, sixty Of whom are mechanics the remainder
being employed on the boats slips. The amount Of
wages paid by the company monthly, exceeds eight
thousand dollars and the annual consumption of coal
is rather over twelve thousand tons.
The company are running ten large boats, exclusive