The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-07-16

Some Valuable Compilations Regarding the
Clty's Rights-Number Of Feet of
Water Front Owned. Reve-
nue. Derived, &c.


Water Front Owned, Reve-
nue. Derived, &c.
The recent declaration Of Mayor Havemeyer In
the meeting OF the Sinking Fund Commissioners
whore the question was on the awards Of ferry
franchises, that '4t was about time the city knew
what property 1t owned. has set the statistical
and historical commissioner OF the HERALD at
work TO fathom the ferry franchises ana ferry
frauds, II frauds have been practised. In his In
designations he has referred to old volumes,
covered with the dust Of over century and leases
musty and muaated, and bonds stamped. signed,
sealed and delivered that for years have widowed
In the safes OF the CITY, and old manuscripts dated
anterior to the Revolution that would be valuable
adunots to the archives OF the Historical Society
HOW THE CITY ACQUIRED IT'S RIGHTS.
The city acquired its right to the ferries from the
Dongan and Montgomerie charters OF 1886 and $780,
section 15 which declares:-
And we do further for our heirs and success
s0rs, give, grant and confirm unto the Mayor, Alder
men and commonalty q the said city Of New YORK
aud their SUCCESSORS forever, that the Common
Council of the said city for the time being, or the
major part oithem (but no other person or persons
license OF the said city for the time being or the
major part OF them), from time 10 time and at all
and 1S whole power and authority Of ss set ap
pointing establishing, ordering and directing. and
shall and may settle. appoint establish and direct
Sse ssS YORK Hsana es
horses, cattle, goods and chatteIs rom t the
said Island OF Manhattan to Nassau Island (Long
also rom the said Island Of Manhattan to any Of
the opposite shores ell around the same island, In
such and so many places as the said Common
who have hereby likewise fui power to let, sell OF
otherwise dispose Of all or any such ferries to any
issues, profits, ferriages, fees and other advan-
tages arising and accruing from all and every such
ferries we do hereby fully and freely, for US, our
heirs and successors, give and grant unto the
Mayor, Aldermen and commonalty OF the city Of
New York Aforesaid and their successors forever,
use, without being accountable to US, our heirs or
successors for the same or any part thereof
TIE RIGHT REITERATED.
In section 81 Of the Same charter these powers
and grants are confirmed for all ferries on both
sides OF the East Rlver, and all other ferries
or hereafter to be erected or established around
the Island OF Manhattan; and the management and
rule OF all fees, erriages and perquisites to the
same, or any part thereof belonging or to belong,
and also the lighthouses on Nassau Island, with
the barns. pens or pounds and lots OF ground
thereto belonging; and also all the ground soil or
land between high water and low water mark on
the said Island Of Nassau from the east side OF the
HOOK; and also to make laws and rules Tor the
governing and we'll ordering Of all the ferries now
III OF sa a
haitian, and all the waste, vacant, untenanted and
unappropriated land lying and being within the
Aforesaid. extending to low water mark" :
The privileges and franchises are confirmed to
the city by what 10 known as the D0ngan charter
OF 1886, to which the MontgOmerie charter and
Lord Cornbury's grant are supplementary and
n ~
exercise control OF the ferries ever since.
HISTORY OF THE FERRIES.
en- route contiguous TO the present Fulton ferry.
The privilege was granted to Robert Fulton and
the old horse power plan. The original lease to
Robert Fulton is still on file In the Comptrolers
once. For 2 number OF years It was run By Full
CURED the right from the state to use steam in
his sssocistes held this grant from the state
adverse to all competitors until about 1923 or 1924
sew. who appreciated the value Of the grant to
Fulton, and believing that the State Of New York
had no power to give Fulton such monopoly, de-
bilt the present railroad king, was then the skip
per OF q 'periagua," navigating the waters of New
always hardy, rough and ready sober, fearless and
sae ne p az ta Ssy al
to lead what many considered
THE FORLORN HOPE WAR
against the Fulton combination. Vanderbilt was
taken from the Insignificant "periagua" and
placed upon q steam vessel to run
from ~ some point on the Jersey shore up
the sSnot with The state sw r1
those Of the United states. Every time Vanderbilt
made landing there was an Official ready with the
no man in the early history of New York gave bah
more frequently than did Skipper Vanderbilt, the
tSree Mhcn sna ting
authorities an opportunity to institute test case,
1t was decided in the United states Courts against
States to jurisdiction in the waters Of New York
Harbor. Thus, 1t is said, won the title Of Com
has been 50 closely dentiaed with the internal de-
velopment and prosperity o! New York.
CATHARINE STREET FERRY.
The best information attainable shows that this
ferry was established between 1915 and 1918, by
Rodney Bovine. It was originally run by horse
schemes were started in opposition, and the COM
pany were forced TO resort to steam.
THE SOUTH FERRY
was originated about 1885, by Lyman Belts, C0nk-
lin Brush, Charles Kelsey Joseph A. Perry, VIM. L.
DeGraw and Anderson Blake, who entered into q
lease to pay the city $1,000 per year from LIST May
1886.
TIE WALL STREET FERRY
was established isi July 7 1852 BY Jacob SHARP who
although the city only owned at that time the slip
on this SIDE; the rate has varied since the ex.
can be ascertained, no revenue is derived by the
city from this ferry
THE HAMILTON FERRY
was founded in 1S46 by Jacob X. lie Roy and Henry
4. Pierpont rs trustees OF the Union Ferry Com
pany. The city owns about one hundred feet on the
New York side, and gets revenue except the
dollar paid the city for 1t and other ferries by the
Union Ferry Company.
THE ROOSEVELT STREET FERRY
was originally started to Bridge street in 1852 by
J. H. MARITIME, and was subsequently transferred to
lie Roy and Pterpont In December, 1852, the rent
being fixed at $1,000 per year. At this time was q
ferry nom old Peck slip to South Seventh street,
Williamsburg. In 1857 authority was given TO
change the termination from South Seventh street
to the present landing at Roosevelt street In the
meantime the lease had been transferred
TO the brooklyn Ferry Company OF which
position was started and finally the old
Peck slip ferry was abandoned In September, 1885,
The Commissioners OF the Sinking Fund sold the
lease OF the ferry from Peck slip to South seventh
street without any authority from the Common
Council, and the lease was declared null and void
This led to Its abandonment. new lease was
given In November, 1867 for ten years. at So, 400.
THE HUNTERS POINT FERRY
IA als EinA LIZ N