The New York herald., 1872-10-21
IaE HUDSON RIVER IMPROVEMENTS
The, Work on the Dykes and the
Progress Of the WOrkmen.
He4 4Gate---Ih Distractions and the Resuk Of
The Undermining Of the Rocks.
VIE 4 PROSPECTS FOR THE FUTURE

Bateo8an the Hudson and East rivers has been car
ried Sn with great vigor during the last year by
the Unitea States government under the direction
q Major General Newton Chief Of Engineers. The
ssstSuctions In the Pamrapo River, New Jersey Bur-
nngton harbor, Vermont, and at Plattsburg, have
alse been materially decreased, and the Engineer
m-Chief holds very hopeful views as to the ultl-
mate results Of the works now being prosecuted.
The improvements OF the Hudson River, between
Troy and New Baltimore, have already been very
great. General Newton, in speaking OF these Inn
DrOvements. says that
PORT SCHUYLER DYKE,
built by the United States in 1Ss- and repaired IN
1865, as far as was then needed, is subject for
further repairs. The waters escape through
breaches in the dyke and deprive the man chan
mel of o certain amount OF securing force. The
dyke, as originally constructed, was composed OF o
core OF sand and gravel, paved on the exterior with
stone. The breaks in the pavement, caused by the
shocks Of ice and other foating bodies, lead to q
rapid wearing away OF the interior Of the dyke.
The remedy thus far applied has been to I'LL the
excavations with ruDblc stone The repairs OF this
dyke are urgent, and as the effect OF the currents
Is to increase still further the extent OF the breach,
should be undertaken with the first available
fnnds About three thousand cubic yards OF
stone will be required to make these repairs.
BASE ISLAND CRIB DYKE.
After the subsistence Of the spring freshcts OF 1871
the necessity of repairs to this dyke was revealed
some of the timber work was displaced and con-
siderable part OF the original filing Of sand and
gravel washed away. The repairs Of the timber
work cost t497 90. contract dated October IS,
1871, was also entered into with Mr.. Emory r.
Seward, or fAlbany, for the delivery OF 5000 cubic
yards Of stone filling for this and the upper Pa
trOOn's Island dyke the delivery to be completed by
May ], 1872. The lateness OF the commence
meRt Of delivery, the early close OF navl-
cation and the frequent floods in the
Spring rendered the completion Of the
contract within the specified time impTacticable,
and the time has been since extended to December
I, 1872 No payments are due under this contract
until its completion. Two hundred and fifty three
t253, cubic yards were received and deposited in
this dyke under the contract. recent examina-
tOn Of this dyke has developed the existence OF
two bad breaks, one caused by vessel dragging Its
anchor and going over or through the dyke at
high stage OF water; the other by the settlement
OF the channel face Of the dyke, causing a rupture
of the ties. The amount OF repairs, exclusive Of
shore filing, is estimated by Lieutenant J. II
Willard, corps of Engineers, Assistant Engineer,
at 1,031 Is, and these Will be undertaken during
he.present season.
UPPER PATRooNs ISLAND CRIB DYKE.
After the Spring freshets OF 1871, an examination
showed the necessity of certain repairs The cribs
channel that 1t was necessary to drive piles II In
number to prevent further careening. The
channel ace OF the cribs, to compensate for SETTLE
ments. was eveed up with hemlock timber for a
distance OF about sixteen hundred feet. Twelve
hundred and twenty cubic yards OF stone
were received and deposited in this dyke, under
u. R. Seward's contract. The expenditures for
repairs, excluding stone, amounted to 1890 6l.
The present condition Of this dyke is good, and it
requires only the completion OF the stone filing.
DREDGING FIsH-HoUsE sHoAL.
This shoal situated just below the end OF the Base
Island dyke, was dredged during the last season,
commencing in the latter part Of July, 1871, and
so cubic yards which was in greater part d
posted behind the Bath dyke. the cut made was
eight ieet at mean low water owing ''t to the Hs
dykes this depth has been virtually main
bsng a ss a. st sse q s
.eSS raenns ssWeen sne
che extension OF the Base Island dyke down stream
for q distance or about two thousand feet; and my
as e ae ass % e
Il is more than probable that such extension would
maintain on eight-foot channel. The cost Of drsdg.
posting behind the Bath dyke, was S5A cents per
cubic yard-measnreQ in scows. The estimated
cost OF the extension Or the Base Island dyke down
stream for distance OF 600 feet, is $4,000
BATH DYKE
The head OF this dyke needs some protection
against the Ice; some filing with stone Is also re-
quired.
CUYLER's BAR.
Dredging Is being done here by the State Com
HissiOners. The United States have not perform d
any work at this locality; previous annual re-
existing dyke, built by the state Commissioners.
This construction would prove remedy against
the periodic filling OF the channel over Cuylers
Bar.
ovERsLAuGn DYKE.
Along the lower reach or the channel cut for
temporary convenience OF commerce was made in
September, 1871. The cut was 1900 feet long, rs
feet wide and TO depth Of IL feet at mean low
water.
The amount removed which bore striking evi-
dcnce OF ashes and cinders deposited from steam
pes ~ tho az cos. Se 81 s,
Commissioners during tins season are dredging at
she upper and lower ends OF the Overslaugh Chan
nel Previous annual reports contain a recommen-
dattOn TO construct q dyke parallel to the present
dyke, which II is believed Will obviate the necessity
channel.
The removal Of this rock, under contract OF
Emory ". Seward has not progressed since the
date OF the last annual report, though the time OF
I, 1879. The least depth over this rock is eleven
and seven-tenths feet at mean low water, which
be attained az specified In tie contract was to be
twelve feet at mean low water.
CEDAR HILL DYKE.
The gap OF 1000 feet left at the construction OF
Sins dyke will be closed under the present appro-
priaal0n section Of this dyke, $50 feet in length,
constructed in shoal water, has been caught by the
ice and raised somewhat from its bed. The repairs
would probably cost 2,400
Main channci az C0eymans
point Of the middle Groundn projecting into
the main channel was dredged Oh during last sea-
son. The amount removed was 1925 cubic yards.
The cost was Is 6S 100 cents per cubic yard measured
IN the sc0ws. This operasi0nw0uld not have been
necessary had the dykes now constructed at Coey-
mans been then In place.
CHANNEL LEADING INTO COEYMANs.
The me proiongation ss Of the Roah Hook dyke. which
would cut on the existing channel, made IL neCes
sary TO dredRe narrow passage for the cOnven-
SenCe OF commerce cut Of 900 feet long by rs feet
wide was made, and 5,190 cubic yards removed, at
aCOst Of ~ 7-lo cents per cubic yard, measure in
socws.
DYKES AT C0EyMANs.
On september 2 1871, contract was entered
sor the construction Q; these dykes. known as the