The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1858-11-21

HE'LL GATE AND ITs DANGERs-wc called at
tention some days since to the fact that ship
canal could be constructed at comparatively
small expense across the upper end OF Randalls
Island, from Harlem river to the Sound for the
passage Of all vessels navigating those waters.
by which the dangers Of He'll Gate could be en-
tirely avoided. There is now water course
running through from the east to the Harlem
river. called the Kills, which bounds the north
east end Of the island, and divides il from West
chester county. which. upon examination. may be
found susceptible Of being made to answer the
purposes OF canal. There is depth Of water
running through this course ranging from seven
to ten feet at low tide but its free passage is OBJ
structed by numerous projecting rocks. with a
rock bed nearly its entire length. Whether the
channel through this course could DE- cleared and
Strengthened without incurring an enormous cx-
pcDse Is a question which cannot very well he
decided In the absence Of proper survey.
But setting this aside, we come back to the
original proposition Of q ship canal Randalls
Island in it, broadcast part i barely quarter Of
a mile, and this distance would he the extent TO
which the canal would have to be made The
depth Of water at its entrance on the east
side would be about twenty-five feet. while
no part Of the channel Of the Harlem
river. from the outlet to Blackwells Island.
would be less than twenty-five feet at
low water. After the passage Of the canal.
vessel could be carried almost in a straight line
south rom l20th street to Corler's Hook, en-
tirey clearing the rocks Of Hell Gate and avoid
ing all danger. In fact. by this route a vessel
could not get on the Hogs Back. Pot Rock.
Niger Head, Mil Rock, Hen and Chickens,
Little Niger Head, Flood Rock. Cridiron,
Holmes Rock, Frying Pan, Sbclldrake. or the
numerous other points not yet christened, which
show their formidable heads at low water within
the space Of quarter of mile square. with
out a determination 50 to do
II would be curious TO note the number of
craft which are lost and damaged during the
year within the above mentioned space Of
quarter Of a mile. Not long since four YES
sells were seen high and dry on the rocks Of
Hell Gate at one time. while il il recorded that
within the last twelve months the Hogs Back
alone has caused the total destruction or aban-
donmcnt Of five vessels.
There is yet another opening which might be
found practicable for the passage Of vessels
by widening and Strengthening the chan
mel This IL called Little He'll Gate. being
a neck Of water dividing Wards from
Randalls leland. This course is also INSTRUCTED
by sharp pointed rocks, and the channel, even
for the short distance Of six or seven hundred
feet from river to river, is tortuous and narrow.
but Il nevertheless carries depth of water Of
from eleven 10 sixteen feet If the distractions
In Little Hell Gate could be removed an excel
lent channel would ~ found direct from Rikers
Island, turning little on the south, TO avoid the
Sunkcn Meadows. into the Harlem river, opposite
Han street We are not certain but that this
would be the best route, provided the Little
Gate could IL cleared aud uade uayigable, bat