The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-02-07
TO GEORGE W. BLUNT, ESQ.
NEW YORK. Fahruar

NEW YORK, February 5, 1852.
DEAR SIR:-In ans yer to your inquiries a. to the
possibility Of freeing the harbor Of Now York from
ice, enclose to you description Of the mode
would adopt to accomplish the object.
Having observed, for many years, from the hill at
Hoboken, the effect and operation of the ice in the
Hudson, and that portion Of the East river that
lies between Governors Island and the Battery,
and from experiment made some years ago on the
Delaware and Newark Bay, feel confident that both
rivers together with the bay and harbor, can be so
far freed from ice as to be easily navigatedin the
coolest winters. This could DO done by stopping
the ice made above from coming down the North
river. The mode propose to effect this object, is
to anchor large, strong, wooden floats, diagonally
down the river from each shore, leaving quarter
or eighth Of mile, nearest the west side Of the
river, open for the navigation of steam and other
vessels, in mild winters. The effect Of this would
be to stop the fee above from coming down, thus
rendering the hsrbor navgable q. all times, as the
ice made below the floats would bs skim ice only,
and pass OF with the next ebb tide. These float,
would bcpaced at some narrow part of the river be-
tween Fort Washingt point an Hobokep, whereit
did not exceed three quarters Of mile in wi ith or
wherever tie proper authortie; should deem Il most
advisable The ice coming down would strike the
first loat. with westerly wind, and would be arrest.
ed, and form such collection as is seen above the
| lorg wharves IN tho North river, and at Hobo.
| ken, ana which is held there by the obstruction
ard the in ientations of the shore. The nexs les
co ming down would strike the arrested ice and first
| foat, and &c stopped by that and tho second float
below, placed al angle OF 80 or 10 degrees from
the shore osards tie centre OF tho river, and
30 or 20 yards from the FIRST float The same colec-
lion would fern above this, as above the first doat,
and &c ontohe last Goat on each side. The doats to
be anchored against the food as we'll against the
ebb tide Large white pine logs should be fastened
by chains 10 the floats, to stop small pieces, which
in cold weather would aoonjrm ard freeze together,
and obstTuct the ice from above. Some idea may
be formed Of the strength necessary to hold the
gcafs 10 break trough thick ice. by com pairing
the force Of large steamboat, (Which when proper
~ arranged viii break passage through heavy ice
sixty feet hroad) to tho size Of chain that
| will resist her force when steadily applied Now Il
viii cqgirs feur or five large steamers 10 bseak o
chain whose links arc enc and kali inches
diameter, SO that tho strength OF ono chain, q
above. would break 2i0 or 800 feet in width, Il
broken to the Same advantage, which can easily be
done by regulating the angle of the front Of the
float, ard shoeing il with bars of iron, to prevent
wear Should the ice come down in largo fields
ard With great force, it would require time tc
choke atdstop It. The Ice breakers would have the
same tHec; as 80 many steamers, all started a,
once, and break the ice from shore to shore, II
cakes small enough TO pass between the floats In
this case and until tie ice arrested and brough:
TO By tho chains and floats, tho logs between tae
loats, by having their sides slanted off, would be
raised Up and pass over the heavy ice. When tho
river breaks up the large fields Of ice above would
be broken in auch small pieces, passing the floats
as not seriously to interrupt tho navigation. pre-
sumo anchors and chain cables could be borrowed
from the Navy lard to make tho first experiment.
to ascertain the necessary weight OF anchors an i
strength OF chains The United States are greatly
interested in tae experiment, as tncir vessels oil
war would be enabled. q, all times, to reach the
Navy Yard and Dry Dock, without serious inter.
ruptions from ice. The anchors could 90 backed il
necessary, although the holding ground is good,
| being Of stiff mud or clay.
The great advantages Of freeing the herbor from
ice in such a winter as this, are too apparent to
need discussion. Inc shipping interest has suf-
efed severely, and the Inconvenience to the public
has been 20 great, from the immense fields OF ice
in the harbor, and both rivers, OBTAINING tho ferry
boats much over their usual time in crossing, that
| something to prevent similar occurrence is
greatly wanted, and feel confident that the above
plan, properly executed, would remedy the evil.
Your obdient servant,
ROBERT l.. STEVENS.