New-York tribune., 1872-11-05
SHELTER FOR OUR FLEETS.

THE UARBORs OF NEW ENGLAND AND NEW
YORK-PROF. MITCHELL's ESTIMATE OF
THEIR CAPACITY-BosToN AND NEW-YoRK
HARBORs OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES BAY THE
BEST HAVEN ON THE COAST.
lFROM AN OCCASIONAL CORRESPONDENT or THE TRIBUNE
CAMBRIDGE, Mass, Oct. 28.-PTof Henry
Mitchell, in charge OF the Department Of Physical
photography u. s. Coast Survey, has lately presented
report 70 the Superintendent Prof Peirce, concerning
Vineyard Haven, formerly called Holmes Hole its pres
ont condition, and It's character port of refuge The
interest the report does not e much In the specific
subject named I'm the titc-although even this has an
important bearing upon the future OF trade with the
Eastern states-as in the general discussion which II
opens upon commercial advantages along the sea-
board. After describing the condition Of vineyard
Haven and its merits and defects, especially as eou-
pared with Provncet0wn. which Is Mr. MitehelPs type
Of perfection as harbor OF refuge, comparison OF the
plcipa harbors and roadsteads on our coast s made
and their relative capacity, carefully computed, II sci
forth IA q series OF tables.
IL calculating how many vessels harbor VIII accom-
mocate three classes must he provided icr-hrstraie
menowar merchant ships and miscellaneous merchant
vessels On the authority of Rrar Admiral Davis Mr..
Nltcho states the "swingIoOm OF manofgar 20 be
80 actos a vessel properly moored in tdeway oeeu-
pes IA fair weather but little space than that In
wich shc can swing freely. But IN order that she may
ride In perfect security at all times fhe ought to nave
room enough enable her TO out the whole length
the wind may come" The standard cables length Is l2o
fathums72O feet Allowing for the portion which can
not be paid out Mr. Mitchell a radius OF 63l feet
II is promised that manof-war requires an entrance
depr Of at least q feet low water ana all other NOR
chant vessels s feet. With these data, Mr.. Mitchell
plots rs;rate menofwar riding 90 storm anchors in
the basin OF Provncetowr Of merchant ships requiring
least IS feet OF and $40 feet radius OF swing
ROOM s5 of miscellaneous merchant vessels, with aver
age radius 100 feet 2. Fishing vessels not made tho
subject Of calculation but there have been actually seen
400 such vessels at anchor in Provnccown at the
time In barbor of refuge there s advantage I'm clean
strand rioiv ntyng iOst thelr grJnhd H'cAe
NAV be beaehod without danger, and where small yes
ses may be laid bare by the tide TO undergo repairs
Province town Harbor possesses this advantage.
vIyEYAHD HAVEN A A FORT or REFUGE
At VINEYARD Haven QIolmess Hole only three first
rate inen-owar eau be accommodated in the anchorage,
and these must occupy the most exposed situations.
sixty merchant ships can find SWING room In the
anchorage, against 55 in 1sl5. OF miscellaneous mer-
Chant VESSELS comfortably accommodated, the number
T., IT, The dragging aud foulnc OF ships N is an
chorage are incidents exceedingly frequent vessels
have had their masts cut away to prevent dIaksihe'
Thc largest number OF vessels driven on slor' in s-
gle Is stated 10 be l6 The annual rep.f OF the
Marine Agency OF the Associated Press show thaC the
number oi vessels which IN scar betake then Gives 10
tho familiar rOad-tedd "a time ~ peid Is az lo.O"f'
Seamer 52 ship, and baTk, 6}: bTs. C47; fclD0nefs,
e3O; whalers II; Yachts, siO0ps, 81 total 1885 Of
which foreign, mostly British Fisnlng yessts
M moi Included I'm this list NAV be down at 40 I'm
Inc sprng Exclusive OF the fishermen the numbcr OF
persons the -els may De set down ht over 1ucVJ
CAPACITY or NEW-TORK AND boston HARDoRs.
The comparison between Now-York aud Boston har-
lors Is quite interesting One Is hardly prepared TO
hear Of the great difference between them in cDacity'
Taking the roads and basins which make up Boston
Ilraor Mr. Mitchell calculates Tire capacity follows
or any the three glasses oi vessels before
.r-.- tf.rcb.-. stfrs ,t.yrh.at ve..ea