The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1856-02-09
REPORT OF THE SURVEYOR.

REPORT OF THE SURVEYOR.
NEW York Feb. g. 1856
n D. E1ISGwooD, Esq Chairman of the Committee for
investigating the Staten Island Ferry Boats
sIR-By the request of 7. B. Sat cr h wsite, Esq,
allied board the staten lsard ferry beats TO nine
heir clifton, also their capabiy of performing the
ervees for which they required.
was received very politely by the officers Of the
pany aud shown through the boats. examined four Of
them, and report as follows viz
Sylph-I found 10 be about twelve years old fsr built
g0ed sieisls shows cons cradle hard service has
had frequent repairs and Is fair order and good
running condition for summer boat; but her contruc
suitable for the winter and exposure
fastened timters far apart and small at the tops and
particularly around the bows where she has 70
the greatest resistance from the ice She was CONSTRUCT
ed, presume for speed more than strength; therefore
made as light possible.
Hunchback-Buit In 1882 is the best boat; fair built
ard materials good IS far as be seen; Is in good
order and is good summer boat has hight frame, and
rather light deck frame tor much top weight; he:
construction not suitable winter boat in the ice
there not tmbers enough (too apart to re,eivo
the great OF the ice the tides way the ends
are not filed in solid, all boats should be built in
tended Tor ferry purpc
Huguenot-is gottrg old believe she was built in
1913 was lene ned bout two years since and had
oroer regards her hull but the difficulty Of old boats
is that they iron sick aEd it is hard tell where t
fame tmbeTs far apart, and deficient in strength for
rr, boat in the winter She would do very wall
longer for the summer season, but do con
sider all bcats sbout be flied in solid at the ends for
winer summer for they frequently la contact in
fepy weather. aud in q accident at any me, many
Mes would be exposed to danger, only at short dis
t. nce from the thore. !.
Staten Islander-I found to be an old boat sixteen
years CID but she may be called goot boat fr her age
is fair running order. She is differently constructed
the other boats by being brace bet xcn the frames
al, her amidsbrs sections In view OF this her sizes
would hear mere pressure than the other boats. STILL
her bows better, not being filed ia Solid frame
mbers far spart should juege, also, that some Of her
wheel and also some plank the bows to protect
them from the That Is wei far 1t goes. At any
rate do not think Ter fit ior winter service particular
" 10 the ice
IL this report OF the above boats wish you to take
into oopkderatrn that TIE opportunity to examine is
not what would Wish, for may parts below cannot
account OF water tanks, cabin bak heads &C.
ceilirg be removed. Mr.. J. Thompson, the supstia-
teLdep OF the ferry says that be he's found then sound
when be has had them under repairs. But In thu
sruction Of the beats cannot vel be deceived. Icou!d
see enough TO satisfy me that hey built for
speed than strength,
wish to say lew words as regards my ex perience in
ferry beat building, as well as many other nas Of ship
building.
have supe, Intended the Union ferry b,atshree Tor
the Union Company Brooklyn, and six for the Wi liams
burg cnmpsny-hesides three steamships, many sailing
ships, bIigs and scboepers-in all abous thrty vessels
In the construction q ferry boats Tor rivers have
always looked more to the than the speed there
fore The model must be considered TO give them good bear
ipgs and icient stay to stard upright in running
and tear any load thai Hsy be put on their decks -
sufcient strength and well secured throughout have
generally put in double frames twenty inches from senre
TO centre Of oak and chestnut deck beams of pine
inches square and TWEEN four inches from centre I,
centre and heavy wheel beams Of pine and the ends
the beats all oak and very securely put together
being able stand any resistance that they may at any
time meet with without fojury to the boat. Also the
bows must Allied In solid between the frames thirty
feet from the ends, with pine timber and the joints must
be well ma1e in the plspks cut through With
ice sny other hard substance, she would ill with
water for o long time.
any inrther particulars In regard to ferry boat build
rg are required should be most happy TO furnish all
the ipfor nation that lays in my 20 remain very
respectfully your obsdient servant,
JAMES W. Low,
Inspector Commercial Mutual Insurance Company.