The New York herald., 1869-01-03
A NEW SHIP BASIN.

Now Docks, Basin and Warehouses at VIII
Iinmsburg-Great Stride 90 Meet the Tide
OF Trnde-Necessity for tho Improvement Of
the Hell Gate Channel.
The HERALD has repeatedly OF late called atten-
ton to the unerring Indications OF advancing trade
In speaking OF the growth OF New York, OF the
Efforts to remove the distractions which still exist
at He'll Gate, it was intended to Impress the public
mind with the certainty that New York. as central
point Of the worlds trade, ia still In its In
fancy. The natural position Of our city invited
these observations. 1t will not be very long be-
fore in Biographies and among the most fossil
OF geographical teachers the nomenclature OF CONT
nents will be changed. France and England are
now called the "Westcrn Powers.n and from these
the whole continent Of Europe will take its name as
western. Asia win be the Eastern continent Of the
globe, and America instead OF being the "west," as
land was heretofore designated will be the cen
tral continent Of the world and New York its central
city. II also mentioned that while enterprising
citizens do already comprehend and appreciate this
inevitable future for our country and city, those In
authority, the representatives OF the government,
appear to be tardy and slow. 1t is not intended now
to recaptulate what has been said before upon this
subject, but short reference to what private citi-
ar doing In this respect will be both interest
ing and profitable.
Not long ago o number OF gentlemen, most OF
whom reside at Williamsburg or, as it is officially
known, the Eastern District OF Brooklyn associated
themselves and formed the Eureka Basin, Dock and
Warehouse Company" The organization was per-
fected under the general laws OF the State with an
original capital TO start with OF $780, 600, Of which
it is stated 100000 has already been paid up
fun. The object OF this company is to provide for
New York basin and docks on the same model
as London and Liverpool have them, with COM
modious warehouses attached, and where the whole
trade or our country may concentrate. The loca-
ton they have selected is q good one. 1t COM
mences at the mouth Of Bushwick creek, where
already vessels Of from eight to ten feet draught
may anchor. The basin, which it is proposed to
c.savate. VIII be about four times as large as the
BOoRn and its win Ss ssoSs as In
RUNNING up with line along North Thirteenth
street to Firth street It win take in about 1000 feet
midway between Leonard and Even streets, thence
in an irregular line to point along Lormer street
creek. Any one acquainted with the locality
and any person who may take map
from this description inform himself OF the great
extent OF this projected basin, well as OF the i'm
portance OF the work for the commerce Of New
as Tayor's Island and all the ground drained by the
old creek away up to the edge OF the uplands In
easterly direction. portion Of the property re-
contracted for, so that the rapid execution
within close range OF practical fulalment. The last
Legislature OF the State recognized the legal exist
ence OF this company and without fee transferred to
them all the rights and privileges OF the state in the
Bushwlck creek and contiguous territory: and IL 1t
be taken into consideration that In this very neigh
bOrhood there parcels OF ground escheated TO
State for want OF rightful claimants this grant may
eventually become OF great Importance.
The surveys for this important work have all
been made and completed under the superin-
tendence OF General Meserole. Maps OF the whole
ground have been made, plans perfected. the
amount OF excavation calculated and the total
OF the whole cost summed up. The docks viii
be OF stone depth OF water sufficient to noat the
largest vessels engaged in commerce will be
cured warehouses of substantial masonry, with iron
fronts, have been projected and designed, and the
Whole expenditure limited at ten millions OF dollars.
With tie money now hand work will be CON-
menced early In the spring. and 1t is the opinion of
the leaders OF this association, Mr.. George sparrow
being its president, that as the work progresses to-
ward completion the necessary funds VIII be forth
coming by additional subscriptions.
This important Improvement, in the shape OF a
OF New York, does again urge upon those in Gu
thority to proceed without delay with the removal OF
the distractions that still impede water travel
through the Hell Gate channel. We're those obstruc-
tons completely removed aud the Sound made, what
II should be- the best approach To the port OF New
York from Europe not only would the southern end
or the city be relieved from the pressure that
almost overwhelms 1t, bat both sides OF the East
river the shores OF this city as well as OF Long
Island would to become the refuge for health
offending establishments suca az bone, Lime fat
boiling and could concentrate the trade OF Europe
within their bounds.