The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1870-07-15
DOCK DEPARTMENT DOIHGS.
Meeting Of the Board Of Commissioners Ap-
pointment Of General Mcclellan a. Engi-
necr.in-Chief-No New Leases Of
Piers to be Granted.

The Board Of Commissioners OF the Department OF
Docks met yesterday afte rnoon In stated session,
with the president Mr.. John 7. Agnew. in the chair,
| and full Board present. As the usual pre-
| liminaries had been disposed OF Commissioner
Henry moved 10 suspend the rules Of order for the
purpose OF gong into an election for Engineerp-
Chief. Such officer was indispensable II the work
OF the department was to be carried out properly,
and he should be appointed SO as to commence the
| work at the earliest practicable day. Commissioner
| Henrys motion was adopted, and Commissioner Hunt
nominated
MAJOR GENERAL GEORGE D. MCCLELLAN
for Engineer-in-Chef. Commissioner Smith Sec
onded the nomination, and, roll being called, Gen.
eral Mcclellan was unanimously elected On motion
OF Commissioner Smith the secretary OF the Board
was directed TO notify General Mcclellan OF the
ton OF the Board and request his acceptance or the
office. Ia this matter
THE MYSTERIOUS INFLUENCE OF THE HERALD
may again be seen. In tho HERALD OF Tue sday last
1t was mentioned that such officer was needed,
and General Mcclellan was suggested as q most
fitting man for that position. 1t not TO be under
Stood however, that the Commissioners did not mp.
precialc the fact That an engineer was needed or
that they had not intended to make selection at
early day. The suggestion by the HERALD in regard
10 General Mcclellan was readily taken, ana the
Commissioners have acted promptly in the matter
and have determined TO secure General McClellans
services II possible. Several communications were
received from parties DESTROYS OF
LEASING PIERS.
In all cases the appllcail0 were denied, as tho
department mas Determined not 10 lease or release
any pess or whlrves belonging To the city. An APP
plIcat0n for permission 10 moor q roating bath at
The Battery was also denied report was received
from General superintendent Wesrervelt In regard
to the condition OF
THE losrH STREET PIER.
The matter was referred to General superintendent
Mpai
District superintendent as being in most dan .er
GUS condition. Mr.. Westerve.ts report cor
tendent ana recommends that the pier should be
closed ana Immediately repaired. This pier Is now
ierred 10 the Secretary. In order that he may.
examine the terms OF the lease, TO ascertain whether
the essees pot Obliged TO keep tue pier 10 repair.
THE CONDITION OF PIER no. 70 NORTH RIVER.
This pier at the loot OF Vesey sure ct, IS enIirely
unfit Tor use Mt present One half Is leased to Mr..
George White, ana he having asked permission TO
rebuild and repair 1t the SUBJECT was referred TO the
General SUPERINTENDENT. In accordance with the
report 1t VAS ordered that Mr.. White lie authorized
have the pier put IN proper condition at cost not
to exceed TWO thousand dollars to the department.
with proper RESTRICTIONS on the work, which Is to be
done under the direction Of superintendent Wester-
vel.
THE FILTHY DUMPING BOARD
at pier No. 3, Fest river. Commissioner Wood stated
that the dirt at the place mentioned must be fully SIX
1ees In nelgnt, the accumulation OF weeks, OF, per-
haps. months, and ne onered the resolution directing
the Secretary to notify the street cleaning contractor
TO have the dirt removed forthwith.
Commissioner Agnew thought that matter came
more properly under the Board Of Health, AS such
an accumulation OF dirt must be detrimental 10 The
health OF the elghb0rh0ou.
Commissioner Wood pressed his resolution, and it
was ad pJed
A communication was received from Mr.. George
w. Blunt, president OF the Board OF Pilot COMMISSIONS
erS, In relation 10
THE WATER FRONT,
and giving some valuable suggestions. nc recon-
mends that the Commissioners, in establishing new
piers, should not eS them go b yon the line hXed
in accordance VITA the law OF 1857 as the rivers on
either side OF the city are 100 narrow to allow any
extra encroacnmens without endangerlny nayiga-
THE PRESENT PLAN OF THE PIERS,
he thinks, best adapted to the wants OF the
merce of the CITY; but the docks shoud be made Of
iron or Stone. he states that py having tue slips
properly dedged at the Uutset they could be Kept
sufficiently clear at moderate expense The Giiing
now averages about fourteen inches per annum, anu
that oi tins Is owing to tao Imperfect sewerage.
| lie thinks that The idea OF
BEAUTIFUL DOCKS
Is wrong; that good substantial structures were
more needed than any handsome or costly ones.
lie suggested thit til Comm 6. on build first two
specimen piers, one ON eic side OF the city, and he
West street could he made l15 leet Wide. He int.-
ma ed that n, would communicate further on seye-
rAl other matters, whcn sho III command the atten-
ton OF the Commission, such as requiring
THE SOUND STEAMERS
to anchor the Last river side instead OF making
circuit OF the city as at present, ahd also In reia-
ton TO reserVing the space on tue East river side Tor
canal boa.s. On motion tie communication was
or iered entered on the minutes and placed on file.
Documents containing suggestions irom Mir. ii. A..
Alien, cvil engineer, and the communication from
Mir. Blunt were referred 10 The engineer III chief.
ANOTHER PLAN FOR DyKS
was received from MesSrs Enmons " Nissan, The
chel idea IS that The docks be bal5 OF stone walls
coated inside with concrete, thus forming hollow
structures which could be utilized as vaults On
the docks buildings OF not more tnan one story In
height shall be erected. The plan also coDtempiates
providing Tor pumping out and Utilizing the sewer
age, and an elevated railroad around by the river
front ~ suggested The plan and specifications
were ordered on file, after which the Board adj