The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-10-23
EAST RIVER IMPROVEMENT ASSOCIATION.

Plan for Improving Real Estate ON the East
River-Removal of the Hell Gate Obstruc-
tions-Curtailing City Docks and Piers.
About forty gentlemen met last evening at room
No. Is Cooper Institute, comprising members OF the
Executive Council OF the East River Improvement
Association and others interested In the asso-
ciated effort to improve the commercial
and industrial interests Of the East river and
real estate bordering thereon. Among those present
were Major General Newton, United states Army:
James r. Taylor. Of the Marine Iron Works; Samuel
Coger, the shipbuilder; T. +. Secor, OF the Alaire
Iron Works; W. s. Andrews, OF the Sweeney Rock
Drill Company; John @. Holman, shipjoner; Henry
Steers, the shpbuilder, and Others
Mr.. JAMES r. TAYLOR, the President, who occupied
the chair after calling the meeting to order, made
few remarks explanatory Of the objects OF the or
ganization:-
has been apparent to intelligent citizens that the COM
merse Of this great city and the various
most impossible safe navigation Of that portion Ct the East
Of aos oa other s A sna v below S
a &c by ssSn sSs s for s at
ovs OF these r. but although s
e time . Ss
becoming Of very grave importance from ,hc fact that the
s sst .'r point tut S s
decade fi But the lSs
city w mot b ..s asas
The gentlemen present
Ss % aa
Going such other things a. n their adgmsa. would be
willing for the general benca. Of the city, - is
ys ' us m
and owners Of property on the east side of the city
Mr.. E. M. BARNUM followed in some remarks Of
similar purport to those Of the chairman. In con-
cusion he submitted the following resolution, which
| was adopted:-
Resolved That the Committee on Removal Of Distractions
% the Eas as Be AND hssy n IN
on the number OF vessels Of tonnage and value Of
Ssdi
s s
daily effected Eastern trade danger. Ss
voyage Of European sailing vessels with OBJ
me and fes S
transhpped 70 New York or delivered directly IN the last
and Southern States which would naturally take the Sound
report the 70 tho Council as early a.
Cable with view Of emboaying the facts touching these
ssn IN memorial 70 DC aa before congress It's next
General NEWTON made a lengthy and interesting
statement in reference to the present distractions in
Hell Gate First he expressed his approval OF the
resolution that had been adopted as exhibiting to
Congress the magnitude and Importance OF the work
required to be done. With regard to Hell Gate the
United States government al various times had
directed surveys Of the rocks there with a
next by Mr.. Davis and the third in 1856
veys Of the rocks to get estimates OF the probable
| expense OF their removal 1t was not necessary TO
| enlarge the result OF these surveys. mr.. Davis
made thorough examination Of the east, middle
| and west snip channels. His report, like those OF
| the other gentlemen, was plain, and the impor
to any not belonging to the nautical profession
Admiral Porter estimated that fully out OF every
nifty vessels passing through Hell Gate was damaged
or lost. None OF these reports made reference to
the smaller rocks. At that time the art OF blasting
In ITS infancy and the expense OF removing great
| reefs seemed beyond the power OF human under
taking. This subject was better understood at TIL
present day. and he had no hesitancy in under
| taking work OF this magnitude. He explained the
difficulties To be encountered-the current being as
| he alleged, the main obstacle-and the different
plans proposed for accomplishing the work When
| he made his estimates two years ago IL
was done under the disadvantage OF nothing
then having been done IN the way OF
his estimates on existing modes as lar az known. He
placed the work then at S. 00O but satisfied
now that it could be done for sAoO,coo. In his
| opinion the smaller rocks should be first removed,
then the great reef known Flood Rock, and then
Great and Little Mill Rocks. Hogs Back and Hol-
| landers Reef were near the shore as TO be bnt
trinng obstacle. He enlarged ON the advantages to
| commerce In the future by the removal OF these
rocks AZ to the plan OF cutting on portion OF Hal
leit's Point at Astoria he considered this only
porary expedent, and would not In the long OBJ
viate the removal OF the rocks mentioned
| Resolutions were submitted directing the Commit
tee on Docks Piers and Wharves to obtain copies OF
| all the laws and ordinances passed by the city In
reference TO these subjects, and report the pre-
| sent condition OF our city wharves and those OF
other great maritime cities; also directing the Com
| mittee Tenements and Sewers TO procure the
Information In regard to these topics, and that
| the Committee on Membership Contributions ana
Finance prepare memorial setting forth the objects
OF the association FOR general circulation All these
Mr.. Shelbourne. one Of the contractors for remov.
ing Frying Pan and Pot Rock, reported that he would
be In readiness very shortly go work on his con-
tract lie anticipated speedy and complete success.
| The subject OF n mass meeting at an early day was
discussed and was decided TO leave this matter TO
4 ~ ttftktif