New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1867-07-17
HARBOR IMPROVEMENTS.

THE NEW GOVERNMENT BASIN AND BARGE
OFFICE-THE BATTERY EKrENsION-NEw
DIVING APPARATUS.
The public are aware that some months
since the United States Government purchased from the
city portion Of the grounds under water at the easery
end Of the Battery extension and Immediately vest Of
the Staten Island Ferry slip The ground 80 purchaSsa
Harbor Commissioners line, average distance OF lts
feet 1t has width OF 225 feet at the old Bat
line. The Government intends TO erect there
basin for revenue and other United states Vessels
either series of docks on the Liverpool plan ana
the basin will not be used for the compulsory accomoda
from foreign ports Some OF the features IN the improve
ment are that il will serve as model for the City Fathers
In erecting new docks generally that il will DO place
where foreign Ministers and other Distinguishes parties
land embark without running the risk OF breaking
their limbs necks being drowned as they have 20
do at the present time. and that Will be point where
rendezvous at all of the year Special accomno-
datiOus will be provided for the crews OF these boa
hanging afcund' and erecting temporary shelter e
stormy weather they have to do now The basin VIII
O feet wide the Battery end and 100 feet wide az
the opening The depth will be- average 2io feet
Proposals have just been issued for constructing the re-
tanning wall To this end double set 81 specihGatons
have Just been issued One sets forth that the wall must
begin point upon the line OF bulkhead and piers as
established by the Harbor Commissioners $50 feet west
of the south west OF Whtehalst pier running
thence sa't ss5 40 VIZ le feet thence Sc =
to the western Whitehalst pier The whole area
dredged until the hardpan Is reached. Everything win
be done TO render the work durable, beyond all question
The blocks OF granite be Of immense size and held
together in the frmest with the best American
wrought iron It Is intended TO DO the greater part 2,
the work with the diving armor oredGlng machHe, sno
floating derricks There to be three flights OF stone
sepsone the north east corner end OF the wall one
the retntering angle and one near the centre
dimensions, laid flush With the wall. I'VE
feet in width. and OF nine D., inches ,s
coping low water and terminate with platform i've
feet square The other specification goes OYerVy nearly
the ground The difference between the two would
only be understood by persons skilled In the business.
The specifications submitted to see which pag
will receive the lowest bids On the ground to De nea
ing will Dc erected Congress- at It's last session. made an
appropriation Of $4,000 TO commence this improyement
1t understood that the Battery extension viii be com
peted far the Government wall IN question as soon
the same is finished hence the whole may be expected
to be done together
The city In addition 10 deciding TO the Government the
tract for basin and revenue officers building, also al.
lows space IS feet In width. as right OF way 10 INA
property Now the proposition Is when the Battery OK
tension shall have been completed 10 maze the way .o
a handsome drive. shaded on both sides oy trees I"s
held that its adjournment will be great advantage 70
all classes of citizens who can go there IN earrses anu
otherwise and view the bay and the shipping az leisure
According report the Government VIII test the ers
OF a new diyng.bel invention, IN connection WIN ne
work OF the basin Improvement Inc attention VI no
Secretary the Treasury called To tins matter ~
the fearful accident which snort sne since "
a wellknOwn diver named Harrington. The new nyen-
ton IL STYLED a Submarine Explorer. and IL the
invention of Mr. William Mont storms IL 49, whea
in nse entirely disconnected with the surface
and carries the Of respiration ana
motive power within itself II IS Furthermore held thas
those who down II can remain any ehstn OF 1G
that lifts great weights, aud explores the bottom 70
any extent aud great depths aud that the FOUNDATIONS
OF piers other structures can be aid Win Do same
facility as on land and without the expense OF coner
dam The structure OF this explorer pFaetlcaly enDV
invention three men can go to the DOIon and
move about with facility as circumstances "ay 'Vt'o