New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1861-02-08
NetpTlork Dailp Mbn're
OPENING or THE BERGEN TUN. VEL.


duce men, by invitation Of the Directors Of the Long
Dock Company, lef N, wYork soon after noon for the
Company's Depot, between Hoboken and Jersey City,
and being joined there by both branches Of the New
Jersey Legislature took the cars and set out for the
Tunnel, which was reached in few minutes. Very
little Of the interior could he seen, on account OF the m
tense darkness which rather heightened than other
wise by feeble attempt to illuminate it with few
scattered wide-awske torches. About six minutes
occupied in making the transit, although the dis
lance is not much more than mile, it being deemed
prudent to slowly, lest the train might bring up
with unpleasant abruptness against some fallen bow lder
projecting rock. The sides Of of tue
did scrape against the Jagged wall in passing, but not
enough to occasion any alarm do any material dau
age. The question was asked, however, if these mar
row-roofed could not pass without scrapng, how
would the wder-bodied and broaderroofed sleeping
cars farel
Having reached the rock cutting at the other end Of
the tunnel, halt was sounded and every body got
ont. Mr. Berdell, the President Of the Company, po-
tely invited such rs choose to do 30, to walk back
through the tunnel, promising that the train should
wait for them at the other end or 30 accepted
the invitation but the writer hereof was not Of tho
number, and judging from the moist, muddy, and be-
grinmed appearance Of those who made the trip, be
had no cause to regret that he did not join them. In
addition to the uncomfortable apprehension that posi-
by some fragment of rock, loosened by the frost,
the conclusion of the rassing train, might come
tumbng down, there was the certainty of plunging
ankle deep into the rich red jersey mud if yon missed
the seepers which formed the murky way, and the
shower baths which fell from the roof in places
;n hoo
tifl enough ~ cascades no doubt and quite pleasant 10
take in weather were rather to cold for COM
for, at this shiverng season of the year.
halt OF fifteen or twenty minutes brought up the
lost sheep and in FIVE minutes more We had returned
TO the erry-house. There the guests usheredUto
three rooms, where standing up in most approved
railway style they partook Of cold collation.. That
they attempted sty their appetites, now pretty
well sharpeued by the late excursion but in precisely
three minutes and s-haf from the signal to fall to
came the old cry Of All aboard" Some one who ap-
peared to act as master Of ceremonies proposed as
toast Success to the Long Dock Company" OfcOurse
as the sentiment seaSonable, il. was dny holored,
whereupon Mr Robert II. Berdell, the President, in
behalf Of bis colleagues is supposed TO have made the
Encouragement; but the Company was IN no mood ior
speecbes ust then. The cater Of knives snd forks,
the confusion of tongues and the transports OF two or
three Jes.ey Legislators who beat loud aecompani'
ment upon the table with empty champaign bottles
were 70 deafenipg that it was utterly impossible for
those within six feet of him to do THIN interpret
the dumb show of the speaker. Mr.. Berdel meant to
be understood as follows:
GESTLEaEs: We meet to day TO celebrate the OPEN
ing Of the Great Bergen Tunnel, which 10 800 feet
through solid rock or about one mile. This excaya
a., kattr trp1 ll
million dollars exclusive Of the land. This event
regard Of the 4, eaes Importance TO the State
Oh New-Jersey Jersey City, aud TO tho Enc Railroad
Company, specially at THE very favorable tine OF lis
history and financial condition.
TIE Long Dock COmpaDys charter was granted by
the Legislature OF this State In 1885, and the work was
begun ia the year but he commercial crisis OF
1857 pat a stop totle work, and It was again CON-
nened in 1852 and continued to its present condition.
The Company has S0J fest OF waterfront, aud viii
build FIVE psrs three already bull each 500 feet
long by ~ feet WIFE, with sufficient depth 81 water at
tho 20 xharyes to float the Great Eastern, thus afford
ing AMPLE accommodation for vessels OF al sizes TO load
iii, ect TOR Europe.
Fne Company viii use tho fourteen blocks of round
oppo-e the piers to bnd extensive passenger and car
homes al o. machine-shoIs and warehouses. where
properly 10 auy extent can be stored, thereby saving
carriage and keeping the property clean While waiting
shipment by lighters ehips, thus sayng expenses to
shippsrs, while il will be deliverable at any tine to
any ship or point il New-fOTk city.
The Company viii also erect elevators TO store grain
In bulk This new add ion 10 the Erie Railways 6url
Lees look upon as OF great Importance tothe company
and receivers of grain. Aliesdy millions OF bnzheE
are cont cted for on eight. The Long D)ck Company
owns over coo building lots and after using sll they
require Tor their own purpose will have some 2OOO
lots for ,llle. The Company Will have double track
tnree niles in length connecting with the Lrie BALL
way.
he entire work up to this time, including purchase
Of hand Las co.t near and half millions dollars,
yet we expect within few years that tho 2OOo lots
Tor sale will realize than this amount, al that
our ferry viii compare in business with the jersey
Civ Ferry or Hoboken Ferry ia very short time, We
being between the two. We expect the RAPID Increase
ia population and great Gdcion 10 business facilities
on this sis Of the river will make more ogsite 's
than the three present ferries can DO, ana tnat
more ferries viii be required as Jersey Cry
increnses ID population and business 1t being on the
main land of the great West, with room TO expand,
and situated at the terminus OF the Erie Railway Com
pany where the great products OF the west must come
and await shipment. With continuance OF liberal
laws on the part OF the Legislature Of this state to en-
cour, 20 enterprise aud protect property, we can go ON
with oar mprO, emsnts 10 cur mutual advantage ana
must no. forget TO say that the Jersey City and Hud-
son City authorities have promptly aided u.s. whenever
we have required v, TO protect our property.
OF our Engineers Col. j. W. Allen and MIR. D. +.
Xix wood aud Assistant Epgineer hr. j. Houston,
cannot speak too highly OF their reliable efficiency.
Also, Mr.. A. b. Seymour rs contractor, has Shown
remarkable degree OF perseverance ard determination
TO do all in bis power 10 comp the work, and great
credit ia due to the foremen and others under him. The
NegYork and Erie Directors have at all tues aided
me with their advice, aud individually with money
and IL 20 the efficiency of these gentlemen that you
now haye tho Tunn,l . us'.
will propose, gentlenen "The Legislature Of the
State OF New jersey"
MIR. Perry, President Of tie Senate Of New-Jersey
made an ehor, to responds but all that could be heard
above the trencher strife was, Neutrality-suspicious.
work-great thing for New.York-New-Jersey enter
prise--eommercial couter-compromse Ne'.-Jeney
true to the conceds anything for peace" sc.
Mr. Perry was followed by the Speaker of the Houss,
but tbs uproar great that even his name coald