The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1867-12-24
HE'LL GATE.

improvements TO the Navigation OF the Eas,
River.
To ruH EDITOR or rHE HeRALD:-
The several articles recently published in your val
liable paper calling tho attention OF the public to the
importance OF action on the part Of the general
government during the session OF Congress- for the
Improvement of navigation at He'll Gate, have been
read with much interest by oil who interested in the
commerce OF the country, and ono OF the important
harbor approaches TO its greatest commercial port
For the last ten years have had occasion TO pass
through the GATE frequently During that period IL has
been exception II there has not boon moro
stranded wrecked vessels the hidden rocks the
Gate, and not unirequently lives have been lost The
amount Of property lost has fearfuy increased during
with tho ever advancing prosperity Of our commerce.
unless prompt action is had not only TO remove the
more dangerous rocks but 10 cause the construction Of
works TO guido and direct the currents into cham
nes safe for navigation. 1t is very difficult to decide
upcn definite and proper plan for these improvements
and nautical navigating this passage As there are
neacherous rocks which abound in IT, Some are Il
navigation V BY the removal or the ansir,aa -
will create greater dapgerirr- EliOps
ro os oplnTs s. 4 formed ~ sse
els Ana ssnies cribs OF stone me-
are now the cause Of majority Of ali the accidents
which Awork Of the Importance OF that contem
oso & All hs ac,s to be derived those
acquaipted with this difficult and dangerous
tho attending Of the accidents that have
may hereafter occur, full and complete survey aud
soundngs designating the depth Of water and direc
ton at all stages on the tides With such data compa-
viii DO required 10 make the Gate safe TO all craft
passing through it. This improvement Is question
which ehoud no longer be delayed: proptand efficient
action should be undertaken, and effort should be
put forth on the part of ell Interested 10 commercial
and Operations wSs inrormed shss
works Of the character contemplated WERE general
al such "o @ore nnS o. one o
cusd by authority OF government under the direction
Of the service On the Of economy this direction
is preferable 10 that usually gven 70 works Of public
slnce late war military men and governments OF
all civilized countries have SOUGHT by every MEANS
marine operations From various corps Of the army
aud navy Congress would have difficulty In selecting
the work proposed than could be any OF the
governments Of Europe these officers being In the
could DO accomplished at comparatively small additonai
cost besides the advantage which the country would
dcsvs In time OF war; BY having officers schooed In
No country has 80 extensive commerce tnd numer
Gus rivers haroors sounds and bays as tho United
taxStion we are under, more rigid economy The prac
teal knowledge derived from experience, with al the
improvements developed during the late war, prac.
scd by both sides 10 works OF the character 10 be per-
formed, possessed by the officers named. Under APP
propr alton and direction Of Congress works OF similar
kind are being performed Western rivers aud
upon the Pacific side by officers and their men with
entiro Tho removal OF distractions beneath
the water Is no longer task formidable as In times
past The improvements and discoveries OF la;e years
have reduced tho modes or operation 70 the simple
question OF time and money.
may not generally be known that tho present state
Of the arts have rendered ordinary powder ecctua
~ the moet explosive compounds without tho danger
hazard In Its being increased that explosions
effected with tho and certainty under
land II Is not now necessary that any invention
should be made for the purpose Of making examinations
az submarine rocks apparatus for that purpose s
&c perfect thai explorations may be made for hours
wIthout an communication with the atmosphere All
tkese improvements, when under competent direction
and aided by appropriations, viii soon smooth thc
track OF the navigator In oil important rivers bar.
bor ard inlsts throughout the United States ard
enable these interested In marine risks TO sleep With
the full that they will mot awskep 10 read
in your morning paper . full account Of some sad
tisasssr 10 their property.
GEO W REARDsLEE