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

subsequently Major Frazer was sent by Colonel
Albert OF the Engineer Department, TO supefintena A.
From the oflcal reports OF these officers and from
articles that appeared from time to time, as this
work was being done in HINTS Merchants Magazine
full knowledge OF the results OF these labois Is
gathered.
From Pot Rock there have been removed / 1887
cubic yards OF rocks gneiss and the depth OF water
which was only eight feet at mean low tide. was in
creased to twenty and 0ne-half feet so that Leute
nant Bartlett In his report to Professor Bache made
IN December 1851 when the depth OF water was only
eighteen leet, could say:-"vessels drawing sixteen
feet water can pass over 1t with mpunity, and any
irgate In the navy can do SO at high water second,
the increased facility for the passage Of the rapid
current OF the food tide over the top OF Pot Rock
prevents that high and violent ebuition OF water
which formerly existed to the imminent danger OF
al small vessels Though they might not hit the rock
itseiD which were thrown within Its influence, while
II prevents that rapid eddy. return current which
formerly existed and which threw all boats or small
the pot and then engulfed them" And on the 10th
OF January 1852, the same officer reports nineteen
feet Of water over Pot Rock and says that M means
could be obtained for deepening the water on Hal
let's Point, the Frying Pan and Ways Reef, Hell
Gate could be made the best channel into New York."
AS stated when the work stopped, by the exhaustion
OF funds there were twenty and half feet OF water
over Pot Rock, equivalent to twenty-sx and half
feet at high water.
creasing the depth OF water from five to fourteen
ana half feet at mean low tlde-equivalent to
twenty and a half feet at mean high water. From
and the depth Of water increased from nine feet to
eighteen and half feet at mean low tide, and
twenty-four and half feet OF mean high water
Shell Drake Reef was lowered from eight and half
feet OF water to seventeen and half feet or twenty
three and half feet at mean high tide. Bald Headed
Billy removed entirely, also Hoits Rocks and
Opposition Rock. 'srhe appearance OF He'll Gafe,o
says an article IN Hu'aps Merchants magazine for
September, 1852, 'ls greatly changed and the terri
Bile whirlpool called the pot Is not TO be found
WHAT HAS BEEN DONE SINCE.
condition Of He'll ia already
stated, the same as it was when the work OF blast
ing ard removing the distractions ceased in the fall
Congress, and also OF repeated surveys under the
directions OF the Coast Survey Oce but neither the
sounding lead and notebooks Of the surveying en-
gineers, nor the petitions and memorials to Con-
gress nor resolutions Of the Chamber OF Commerce
and Board Of Underwriters have removed cubic
inch OF rock. 1t appears that In this as In
SO many other matters the department at
Washington have taken Dickens decentralization
object for their model and study intensely show
not to do it, One Of the great hindrances TO Ell
cheney is the constant change OF officers. Hardly
has an officer Of the navy or the engineer corps
some personal knowledge Of the situation when he
is detailed to other duty anew man Is sent here, and
he mas to begin anew 40 orc TO INFORM himself; and
his information lie also is sent elsewhere, and again
new man Is substituted in his place.
sion to the great national Importance OF the
subject under consideration. Whether the great
number Of memorials and petitions y, Or any
1t is Of no consequence in this general review. On
the 30h OF June 1868 the House Of Representatives
passed bin which, being entitled "a oil making
appropriations for repair, preservation ana compile.
ton OF certain public works and for other PURPOSES
appropriated on Its sixth page and Tooth and 10th
lines f0r removing distractions in East river incud
ing Hell Gate $300000" To the bill itself when 1t
up for consideration in the House, there was some
objection, but none to this appropriations even the
'sBuldog OF the Treasury IN his minority report,
recommended the same amount to be appropriated
for the clearing of the East river channel. The bill
HQugp
baked in this way and in the Deficiency bill, which
was approved on July 25. 1858, committee OF con-
ference between the TWO houses having been at work
at IT, the following section was passed.
For the repair preservation and completion OF
certain puzzle rivers and hsrSer 70 be expended
vied that said shall not be applied works
and completion OF certain public works. and
Tor other which passed the House Of Representa-
1t was thus intimated that in both houses OF
Congress the sum OF $780, 900 was intended for the
removal OF the distractions In the East river But
for some reason .Or other' the Secretary OF War
maze different disposition OF the funds placed in
his hands, and instead OF the sum allowed lie as
signed only SS5, 900.
This amount Is now almost exhausted General
John Newton, who has been placed IN charge OF the
work, found 1t necessary TO make hew surveys anu
also TO make experiments IN drilling and the whole
amount he asks now 10 make the channel the best
approach 10 New York is only about S. 900 OOO
Whether tins or any other sum VIII do IL let Congress
appropriate II. The commerce OF New York de-
mands II. Scyen-tenths OF the customs revenue
OF the whole country Ia collected here, and this
city VIII be the convargng point Of the trade OF the
world. Whatever Is done Tor New York and its har-
Dor is done for the whole country
THE PRESENT DANGERS OF HE'LL GATE.
Much has been done TO lessen the dangers OF Hell
Gate. Much remains TO be done TO make the pas
sage secure 10 vessels OF all grades. Mr. |. H. Upton
secretary OF the American Shpmasters' Association
says that while no losses reported occurring
on the rocks already named, on other portions OF
He'll Gate disasters are frequent, involving loss to
an amount sufficient 10 prove that the pers attend
ing navigation al that point are not wholly re.
moved.-
That This statement Of Captain Upton is true
every one knows who Is acquainted with the pecu-
liariies OF the navigation at Hell Gate. And, know
ing II, and knowing the importance OF ire channel
In every view one may take OF it--knowing the dam
age resulting almost daily, tue amount or capital
floating on Tie channel and the results expected
from its being cleared, it Is quite astonishing that
Congress has done little.
Iiy whatever means the channel NAV be cleared
thu clearing or IL Is oi supreme Importance Private
interests AMI individual motives should give way TO
the great end in view.
IL it cannot be done in any other manner n the
"bulldogs or the Treasury are too careful for little
drippngs 10 ooze out OF Uncle sam's strong box
let some OF our representatives In Congress attach 1t
10 olg joD In which all are Interested like the
Niagara canal job, and thus they may do some good
even while cnricnlnQ LOBBYISTS.