The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-20

tilOn may eventually cover the whole wafer front
TO Harlem river. The Western end Pacific trade
would centre around the inlets or the great trunk
railroads. TO the West and the Southern trade would
soon accommodate Itself likewise. In view Oh THESE
results, not only possible or probable, but pointed
out as sure to come by the natural laws Of trade tne
Importance Of this work Of clearing Hell Gate e,a
nei ana making II an unObStructed passage way ior
vessels OF ali grades cannot be over estimated
WHAT HAS BEEN DONE
Hell Gate to-day presents quite dinerent appe1tl,
ance from what It did years ago II Is no Longer me
whirlpool, with its foaming eddies and vioieni aga
LIONS o. waters thrilling y b;s e ed Royer and
the "Water Witch" IL is not so dangerous now 70
navigation az IL was IN years gone Dy bt' . "a ~
liberaiity and munihcence Of private citizens. And
it will probably be interest to the reader to know
hence a short account Of it is here inserted.
The iirst movement towards clearing this passage
OF The dangerous rocks originated with the merchants
Of New YORK In ls45, and numerously signed petit
ton, led by David Hall, was presented TO Con-
gress asking for an appropriation to remove these
DISTINCTIONS This petition, however, had no eject,
and nothing was done until the reorganization OF the
Coast Survey Office, under the efficient superintend
Lieutenant Charles II. Davis, United States Navy an
assistant attached to the Coast Survey Bureau. to
make thorough examination and survey OF He'll
Gate. Lieutenant Davis was occupied IN this work
for two months and on the 18TH OF February lSiS,
he made his report already referred to above.
Lieutenant David D. Porter give complete
description of Hell Gate as 1t was then and that
full understanding may be had OF the amount Of
work since accomplished, portions are here quoted.
Lieutenant Davis says:-"Of the sailing vessels that
enter The Hell Gate passage 1t is estimated that one
IN iIty snstains more less injury by being forced
by the violence OF the currents on the rocks or
shoals aud the accident to the Oregon, which nearly
proved fatal to her passengers, shows that even
steamboats,, with motive power that keeps them
under perfect control and guided by the most eXpe
rlenced pilots, are not secure from peril. such an
improvement In the channels OF Hell Gate as would
render them navigable to vessels OF all classes
under common circumstances would supply to
the commerce or New York a new outlet
n n
Dor channels and available when those Temporal
rlly closed by adverse winds or other causes-and
would therefore be q permanent and valuable re-
both for those vessels outward bound and for
those returning home" Speaking, then, OF the ne
facilities of our naval defence already quoted,
the lieutenant proceeds THE dangers in
tnis channel arise from the great strength
Of the current and the number and position OF the
rocks and reeIs The strength of the current Is such
that sailing vessels only stem its force or escape
from 1t by q commanding breeze; but as the man
OF the flood tide keeps the middle OF the east
channel 1t is most secure for vessels coming from
the westward, with the tide, to place themselves IN
the centre OF the stream, and follow Its direction
They thus carried through i'll safety. This plan
however IL inadmissible for any but small vessels,
on account OF two rocks the pot and the Frying
Pam which lie In very near the mid channel, being
in the way both going to the eastward and westward
Is also reel called Ways reef which lies in the
course followed by the STEAMBOATS, principally when
coming from the eastward against strong food
Ii Is their custom TO keep close around Pot Cove and
run up under Hallets Point; by so dong they avoid
the strength Of the flood. In this part they find an
eddy current In their favor. But in the ebb the
greatest danger arises from the divergence OF the
rent at point marked on the sketch-a point about
half way between Wards Island and Haett's Point)-
where the ebb tide branches oil into three directions
to take the course OF The three channelS-the main
south channel, the middle channel and the eastern
deciding sufficiently soon at the point OF separation
which channel shall be taken and the neglect to do
ths, or loss OF control over the vessel for any rea
son, frequently results In being carried on the
Gridlron.' When q vessel that has attempted the
eastern channel finds herself carried towards the
'Gridron her only chance for safety is to run for
the middle channel, which Is narrow and made pre-
carious by the middle reef the outer rock Of which
is the Negro Head The ,,s .Gridlron" Is,
most dangerous reel in the passage. The reef
known as the Bread and Cheese on the eastern end
sells are liable to go on it on the hood, when II
covered, by getting into the eddy near 1t, with light
wind. The chief danger is on the ebb and from the
same cause that which makes the .Grdron
dangerous e., the strong set Of tide III that direc
ton." This report was sent TO the House OF Repre-
sentatives by Professor Bache and ordered 20 be
printed the l4th OF March, 1s45, and copy OF II
was also communicated TO the New York Chamber
OF commerce. This body took a deep interest in the
matter ana In the course Of the same month 1t
adopted an address TO the Committee on Naval
Affairs of the House, earnestly asking that the plan
proposed by Lieutenant Davis Tor clearing He'll Gate
passage OF It's distractions be adopted.
All that was done IN the matter, however was
that the Coast Survey Office sent Lieutenant ID. ID.
Porter to resurvey Hell Gate in the summer or 1s43
This oicer made his report In October OF that year.
detailing the distractions more infinitely than
Lieutenant Davis, a. folows-"Tlle first In order,
and the principal obstruction In Hell Gate, ia Pot
Rock, on which found eight feet OF water at the
lowest tides. AT half tide the depth OF water
does not increase Pot RocS, as there is at least
fail OF lOur feet, and vessel drawing over eight
feet must strike upon IT. iull ragged brig struck u
three days since, aud went down with valuable
cargo board This obstruction once removed,
Hell Gate would be less dangerous by one half.
and the eddies, which are now the cause Of
half OF the difficulties would, IN measure disap-
pear. Inere Is dangerous rock called baid
Headed Riily, fifteen yards from Hater,s dock.
which Is Cry at low water. and brings up num-
Der Of vessels al high water Three vessels struck
at this rock while was at Hell Gate; one was got
OF with much difficulty, another lost bowsprit,
anchors and chains. Opposite Gibbs Point and
within fifty yards OF BiackWes Island, Is a large
rock whlch have called Blackwell Rock The
current sets directly upon it with the hood tide,
and IL Is most dangerous obstruction. IL Is six
feet out OF water at low tide and could be removed
at small expense. Tie Frying Pan rock Is a ledge
running north and SOUTH and Is part Of the chain
OF rocks which runs from 'Hogs Back to Haet's
PonL THIS rock removed. vessels would always
drlft through the main ship channel. The difficulties
OF removing II would be much greater than any other
rock In the gate as &c is so dificut to hit upon IL.
There Is small rock, though very dangerous one,
20 the southwark of Woolseys Bath House. IL eX
tends about nfty Yards out into the channel and Il
connected TO tie shore hue al low water In place
where the interests OF so many are al stake the want
OF attention TO tue navigation OF Hell Gate appears
Ike cupable neglect. No one can form an idea OF
the number OF vessels that go on shore during the
course OF a month; eighteen went on shore during
the period was occupied there two months) and
many Of them were very much injured. ! am con-
WINGED that IL proper measures were taken 10 pro-
tect the commercial interests OF this great city, by
blasting the rocks mentioned above, and docking as
proposed by Lieutenant Davis not one vessel would
be lost In five years"
Thus earnestly spoke Lieutenant now Rear
Admlra Porter in 1sis aud though IL caused another
appeal TO the federal government by the New York
board Of Underwriters In 1s49 allthat done was
the sending Of Lieutenant Alexander Woodruff, OF
rasss Another survey IN TIE sunher Of that year Of
Idttie Hell Gate and Harlem river and he also made
au extended report. Thus three years had passed,
three surveys were made, then reports received and
nothing yet done to remove an inch OF the rocks
but Lieutenant Woodruff was not satisfied Nith
written report alone. lie also Prepared Ilodcl-in
PAPER mache-of the whole OF He'll Gate, from Pot
Rock to below the Negro Head and from shore, from
actual measurement, which model is now at Wash
ington, probably forgotten in some musty corner.
About this time the merchants OF New York began
to move with greater activity In the matter. MIR.
Eben Merriam, Mr.. Waiter X. Jones, President OF the
New yofk Life Saving Benevolent Association, aud
Lnsnnh Mnlker OF the Society OF rrienls Inter ested