The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-09-11
BOSTON HARBOR.
The Government to Protect ii by Another
EarfrPRs.


From the Boston TJapeller, Sept. s.
During the present season improvements have
been making in Boston harbor on an unprededent-
edly large scale, and in accordance with plans which
were adopted some time ago. The work is being
done thoroughly and at great expense, and will
prove of lasting advantage when completed. The
action OF the ocean upon the headands in the harbor
especially when it is agitated by the heavy storms
which blow from the east the northeast and the
north, has tendency to close the main channel and
it is for its protection and Improvement that the
great outlay of labor and money is made Looking
at chart of the harbor slight observation will
show one how the spts and bars which jut out
from many Of the islands into the channel are
The islands most exposed to the ocean storms lie
to the north of the channel and slowly and surely
the action Of the waves and the winds was mpellng
the soil washed from them towards the channel,
and in time, did not human skill and labor interfere
it would be closed so far as all commercial purposes
are concerned.
Around these islands large sea walls have been
built building and the encroachng soil is to
be dredged from the channel. The authorities have
established as the mean depth of the channel twenty
two feet, and work in conformity with this decision
will be commenced as soon as possible and, indeed,
has already been commenced.
A few days ago it was stated that Barrell Rock in
Broad Sound, had been removed by blasting. The
huge masses of rock some pieces weighing as much
as seventy tons which were blown OF, have not yet
been removed. They are to be transported to Black
Rock Channel and there sunk TO fill it up This pas
sage runs between Lovell's Island and the Great
Brewster Spit. II is very seldom used, never by
large vessels and has always been considered in
somewhat Objectionable light. By means of it a
large quantity OF drift 0ndS Its way into the main
ship channel, and the hood-tide sweeping through it
has tendency to force vessels to the other side of
the channel and in dangerous proximity to st.
Georges Island.
sea wall has been built almost entirely around
Gallops Island. Some 700 feet have already been
completed, and work upon it will be concluded
before the end OF the The wall around Deer
Island is essentially finished and it is proposed to
put q similar guard around Point Allerton. The
Great Brewster has been the cause Of more appre-
hension than any other point in the harbor, and
early secured the attention OF the authorities The
fuUn hpa1 nf iDpipa aIIu
composed have had walls built for their protection
and these walls, which were some 200 feet apart are
being united at cost of from 900 to $50 900.
Work will be here finished this season.
Last Saturday the submarine divers perfected
their arrangements and commenced what seems to
be long and dficult attack upon Keey's Rock,
which lies little seaward OF the NarrOws. This
low water mark, and t Is proposed to increase that
distance to twenty-three feet. The rock is about
eighty feet long by twenty wide. The operations
are watched with interest by Generals Bonham and
Foster.
The main ship channel at the Narrows is being
wdened and deepened. The dredging machines
have been working some time, and 1t Is expected
that they will complete their undertaking before the
winter sets in. The channel at this point has been
365 feet wlde and ii is proposed To increase that
width to 6S5 feet. This IS being accomplished by
cutting off part OF Lovells Island. The Upper Mid
die near Fort Independence, is to be widened to 100
feet and to have mean depth OF % feet Work will
be commenced as soon as the necessary appropria-
tions are made.
The forts in the harbor are greatly improved and
mounted with the heaviest guns. The plans, it is
expected will be ready for presentation to the next
Congress- and II approved work will he commenced
Immediately and the guns mounted as soon as cast.
Negotiations are now pending for the purchase by
Government of Long Island Head, and If satisfac-
torly completed strong Tort Will be Immediately
erected thereon. The position is commanding one
and the new fort will undoubtedly prove valuable
addition to the harbor defenses