The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-02-17
The Channeis Of Oar Harbor-Tusbont Lesis.
IAtion.

The Channels Of Oar Harb0r-Tuxbont Lesis.
IAtion.
We observe that . number Of shipowners,
and among them the representatives of some
prominent steamship lines, are about to pro-
test TO the Legislature against sundry small
grievances, regarded A. "unjust and oppres-
sive," in connection with the laws governing
piio.sge and tugboats in the East river. 1t
may be very well to remodel these regulations
If, in their present shape, they arc Of the oner-
GUS description complained Of; but 1t occurs
to Us that this is . very trivial business for 50
large an interest a. the shipowners represent
TO fritter itself away upon, in view of the fact
that the channels approaching the city are in
such = miserable condition. This b . matter
Of saticient Importance, both in . locsl and
national sense, to demand al tho attention and
energy Of the Shipownery' Association. The
national water highway to tho metropolis
through the East river is blocked up by OBJ
structions at He'll Gate, while the other chan
mel ~ the Narrows Is getting choked up more
and moro every year by the earthly and vege-
table deposits washed of with every tide from
the marsh lands that surround the harbor on the
shores Of Staten Island, Long Island and New
Jersey. We can assure these gentlemen that
typographical examinations show that the prin-
cipal channel from the lower bay has lost bali
Its depth within the past fifty years. The
whole quantity Of earth, decomposed sedge
and weeds, thus captured by each tide and
washed in and out until it deposits flor very
little oft finds its way to the ocean) would, il
is calculated, form within one year, if gathered
in mass, an island Of twelve feet in depth,
quarter Of mile wide and four miles
long. Lodge these accumulations Of a hundred
thousand acres Of waste. land in the harbor
for half . century and what would become Of
the channel? Yet this process Of filing in has
been going on for more than that time. and Is
going on still, for the waste lands have not
gained any perceivable addition to their sur
face by the ordinary decay Of vegetation, SO
that it is no mystery whore all this matter goe
or why the distractions in the hsrbor are in
creasing. TIE owners OF these lands are thus
innocent encroachers on the public rights.
If the shipowners and merchants Of the city
would take these matters in hand it would be
of vastly more Importance to the interests Of
The community than all the tugboat legislation
they can effect. Let them appeal to the
federal government and the State Legislature
to blow up the rocks at He'll Gate and to wall
in the marsh lands around the lower channel,
for . few years at least, until they can grow
above tide level by natural accumulation.
When the channels are clear and the water
approaches comparatively safe there will be
less trouble and less expense in plotting
vessels. II the Jupiter at Washington or the
Jupiter at Albany will not heed their prayer,
then let the sb,powners and merchants put
their own shoulders 10 the wagon wheel and
clear the tracks on our marine highways.
They have means enough to do 1t, and surely
selfinterest most strongly prompts them to
that course. Perhaps it would DO the best
way, after all for Congress is too busy over
riding and crushing out the life of one section
Of the country 20 attend TO the interests Of the
other, and it would cost 50 much for lobbying
and jobbing at Albany that it might be very
dear bargain. Here, therefore, Is IN enter
prise worthy Of the great merchant class of
this great city, and which towers altogether
above nero tugboat legis lation.