The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-12-20
E1ELl GATE.
What the Sound Channel Is to New
York and the Country.
The Importance Of Its Clear
Passage.
History of What Has Been DOne.-.
What is Being Done Now.

In the HERALD Of Sunday, the 9th OF December,
there was published historic review Of the past
growth OF city, and in full consideration OF the
prospective changes In tho current OF the worlds
trade, wrought by scientific and mechanical i'm.
provements the immense advantages Of New York as
central point were referred to. That these all tend
to make city one Of the greatest the globe and
the commanding centre OF commerce no one can or
will deny. The great mass OF our mercantile popu-
laton intutively feel it. The paatia storehouses
building on every side OF us, changing the physiog
nomy of whole streets and avenues, are evident
proofs OF this feeling New York is getting ready to
house the products OF the industry OF all nations
preparing fitting places of deposit for the wealth
OF the world.
Though much very much indeed, Is done to this
end it ia far from being enough. What the liber
atty and far-sghted policy OF individual citizens can
accomplish Is being gradually achieved. But there
are other measures OF Improvement not exactly be-
yond the means or scope Of individuals, but on
count Of their more national than local character,
Justly within the province OF our national authori
ties Others again, OF equal and almost supreme
necessity are, owing to our form of government the
duty of our municipal corporation to provide. Among
these last Is system OF piers and wharves at once
a help to commerce and an adornment to the city.
The present rotten structures OF decaying piles
not only disgrace to our city but hndrance
to trade, Obstructing its legitimate proportion OF
Increase. II being the purpose OF thi article to
at large into this subject Of appropriate docks
and wharves for our harbo the mere reference to 1t
is considered sufficient. Another measure OF I'M
provement eminently necessary and coming within
the jurisdiction of the national government, is the
removal Of the distractions in the Hell Gate chan
mel.
THE IMPORTANCE OF THE WORK.
To clear the approaches to New York harbor by
way OF Long Island Sound nom all distractions 80
that vessels OF all grades may pass without danger,
Is In more than one sense work of national impor-
lance. New York is the centre Of international
commerce. The whole country is equally interested
with our own immediate population in the easy ac-
feasibility Of the port Of New York for the ships OF
the world. But even leaving out Of view for the
present this extended general aspect all
will concede that navigation OF the Sound is
intimately connected with the ceasting trade OF all
the New England states. few authentic facts suf-
flee TO prove this. From the LIST OF August to the
Let day OF December there have passed through Hell
Gate no less than 1905 vessels OF all classes. or
these there were 2,44 steamers, ships q barKs,
AS briggs, 1859 schooners ana 4,643 sloops. An
estimate, believed be rather under than above the
actual figures, fixes the value OF this floating pro-
perty at 1886 926 ooo or daily average OF So al 0oo
the ownership of which is divided among thousands
Of people from New York TO Maine. But this Is only
the value OF the vessels. with combined tonnage
u
The roads which the marine trade OF six States
passes daily In such volume as THIS are most GER
tanly OF more than local importance.
Further. the amount Of freight transported 10y
OF He'll Gate by steamers alone averages 80 o00 900
per day, increased by about 81 100000 carried
In sailing erals, thus giving grand total I'm the
value OF freight and OF the ships carrying II Of over
ana ress ts - s vc o
the register OF the steamers and from Other reliable
sources has been ascertained that the passenger
traffic the Sound 10 and from New York averaged
during the four months from August to December
7,2i2 persons daily. exclusive OF the officers. and
crews OF the vessels which viii increase the total
daily average to about 1900 persons.
Rut this Is not all. The sailing distance from Eu.
rope 10 New York Is by iny miles shorter than |
through the Narrows. Aud not only this. bu, about |
100 mics OF outside exposure would be saved. Were |
The distractions at Hell Cate removed the largest |
passenger steamers afoat could enter port by |
the Sound one day earlier than now saving IN |
wear aud tear and IN fue that would soon make IT. |
sell elt IN the cost OF passage and OF transportation
stu another consideration TO be taken into view il
the naval defence OF harbor aud coast In OF
war. THIS consideration rs chiefly drawn from our !
practical experience IN our past wars with England
where the enemy ravaged the shores Of Long Island
Sound aud preyed upon our domestic commerce. !
Tnis was earnestly urged by Lieutenant charles II.
Davis, OF the United states Navy. in MS report TO |
the superintendent OF the Coast Survey, dated Feb
ruary 10, ls{s, IN which ne says:-.'Tne means OF |
resisting and preventing such hostiiitles must he
drawn chely rom New York; ana II the He'll Gate pas.
sage be made secure not only our largest men-owar
but our STEAMBOATS, of superior class, which |
such occasions would be armed for the purpose OF |
defence would be vi once enahled TO hasten 10 the
Treat Britain our frigaes were blockaded in the |
haTDor OF New iora which could not have been the /
case Il the llel Gate passage mad been open. Com |
modore Decatur venturcd to carry his squadron |
through. but with such risk that the attempt with
aIrgate was only made once afterwards, notwith- |
standing the constantly recurring necessity. The /
removal. therefore OF The oDstruciions TO the safe
navigation Of Hell Gate recommended by regardt
The future naval offences OF the country.n And Lieu
tenant David ID. Porter, who In our late war has |
won for himself iInpershable fame as the COM |
nander OF the Mississippi notla OF gunboats In a |
report made 10y him to Professor Bacbe the 30h OF
OCTOBER 1913. upon the same subject, fully confirms
at my intention 20 have made you iull report
the subject, but copy OF tie report Of Leuten-
ant Charles H. Davis on Hell Gate was sent TO me to-
day. and find IL so full and correct IN all its details
that could say but little more without mourning |
the charge Of plagiarism; in fact the opinions ex.
had formed previous 10 reading his report.n II Is
scarcely possible say anything 70 add TO the weight
tue matured opinion OF such eminent naval omcers
There IS yet another consideration to be touched
10 show the full Importance Of this work. This
sderation is based upon the prospective growth Of
Tue commerce OF city. We are cramped fer
ans on G sr MIN main An
world Is through the Narrows and the Lower Bay the
commercial centre OF tho city = below Canal street,
towards the Battery. The natural shape Of thi5
lower portion OF Manhattan Island, It's narrow OK.
tent from shore to shore necesstatcs overcrowdlng
the business hours OF the day and you win be made
sensibly conscious OF this fact Innumerable draws
snd carts and trucks block UP the streeis
ht every corner az every hour OF the day
ard interfere with the 81 cedy transaction of bust
ness. The space allotted by nature for an Immense
trade IL already Zoo small. Even now New York
merchants store their goods ia other cities from here
20 Philadelphia for want OF room ~ this city. The
loss OF time and increased expenditure consequent
upon this osercrowdng results In diminished prols
or else IN enhanced prces--e her one calculated 70
check enierpi ise.. Another consequence Is the I'M
nlcnse loss OF valuable time consumed " merchants,
nialuiacturers and AL their employees 10 reach their
bulness places down tow from their homes In the
central and northern part Of the island: and 'time J
y money this loss Is undoubtedly considerable 10
eNery aspect one may view II.
by clearing Hell Gate passage this pressure or
oYOitrOwdmg would soon be materially relieved.
Anou er plan has been suggested aud u was even
Submitted y our state Legislature AZ Albany some
tlIne ego. ms plan contemplated the damDling up
on the Two channes east and weston Blackwefs IL.
ashu enOintr dam IN the region OF Hell Gate ROCKS
aud tne cutting I'm .nah nf q chin laual or clannel