The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1859-05-04

TON or THk SOUND BY OCEAN SrHAMHRS.-Thefe
isone measure now in contemplation which. II
carried Into effect. will produce greater revola-
ton In the property OF this city than any other
event which has happened for half century.
1t has only yet taken the shape Of rumor, but
II may soon become an accomplished fact, when
train Of consequences will follow which will
work extraordinary changes in the relative
value Of real estate. We refer 10 the project of
building long dock at the foot of lO5th or
lO6th street. on the East river, and despatching
OUT steamers and other vessels bound for
Europe from that point, instead Of send
Ing them around by Sandy Hook.
The idea was first suggested by the announce
ment that the Great Eastern, or Leviathan, was
aboutto visit an American port, and would, Of
course, come to New York, If it were practical
BILE. It was decided that there was not sufficient
depth Of water by Sandy Hook, the usual outlet
to the ocean, but it was equally obvious that
there was abundance of water in the East river,
this side Of Harlem, il docks were only built for
the reception Of the monster ship Were it not
for the rocks at Hell Gate, which few years
ago were considerably reduced by submarine
blasting and might be altogether removed by
comparatively small expenditure, all ships
bound for Europe would proceed by the
Sound rather than by Sandy Hook II would
not only be saving Of half day in time, but
the navigation is really easier than by the
southern exit from the port.
Considering the vast sums of money that have
been squandered on worthless objects in con-
nection with this city, 1t is matter of surprise
to every stranger who visits New York that the
distractions to the navigation at He'll Gate have
not been long since cleared from that highway
Of commerce. AT present only steamers for
Connecticut and Rhode Island, and sloops and
schoOners having traffic with the Eastern States,
navigate the Sound. The ocean steamers and
the larger ships go round by the Hook But if
docks were built at 1O5th or 1O6th street the case
would be altered. The growth Of the city in that
direction seems to indicate the proposed change;
and only let this locality once become the point
of arrival and departure for our steamers
crossing the Atlantic, and the living tide Of
population and the hustle of business will over.
spread all the district, and Harlem will become
the very centre of the commerce Of New York
BY an act passed in the last meeting of the
Legislature, Harlem river is to be deepened and
widened, and il this were done thoroughly round
to Spuyten Duyvil creek and the North river,
line of docks might be made to the very waters
Of the Hudson-thus the whole island would be
surrounded by quays and shipping. What
revolution would thus be wrought in the rela-
tive value of property in the upper and lower
portions of the city. That this step of building
docks above He'll Gate for the use of Ocean
steamers proceeding to Europe by the Sound
will yet be taken-unless it is anticipated by
the removal Of the rocks OF He'll Gate-there
can be little doubt. It is only question of
time. Vessels of any amount Of tonnage will
always End water enough there. 1t would be
necessary to keep south of Randall's Island in
the present state Of the river, but cut could
easily be made on the northern side, which
would shorten the distance and make the pas
sage more direct.
The subject is one of vast Importance to the
commercial interests of the port, in view of the
danger of the Sandy Hook channel being one
day so filled up as TO prevent the passage of our
large vessels. The depth Of water is gradually
lessening, owing to the action of the cur
rents on the shifting sand, and many of our
most experienced mariners are apprehensive that
the accumulations OF deposit will become so
great in few years as seriously to obstruct the
navigation. 1t is consolation to know that we
have another grand outlet to the ocean which no
length of time can fill up. Even if the He'll
Gate smken rocks should be completely re-
moved, commerce will gradually move up to-
wards Harlem, and soon or late it will be the
region of our principal docks. OF course South
ern steamers and ships bound South will always
prefer the lower part Of the city. For ships
bound eastward Harlem is the natural point of
debarkation. Thus northward the Empire City
takes its way.
PIcooLoMNl AT THE ACADEMY OF MusC-yr Strakosch
will open the Academy this evening for season of one