New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1873-01-11
THE GOAT ISLAND CONTROVERSY.

CHIEF ENGINEER HUMPHREYS FAVORS USING
PORTIONS OF THE ISLAND FOR THE ACCOM-
NOTATION OF COMMERCE AND FOR MILL
TARY PURPOSES.
GENERAL PRESS DISPATCH.l
WASHINGTON, Jan. 10.-The Secretary OF War
yesterday transmitted the Senate the following letter
and the papers referred to therein:
OFFICE OF CHIEF OF ENGINEERS
WASHINGTON, ID. c., Jan. Z, 1873.
tn ,bs Hon W W BELKNAP, Secretary Of Var
SIR: In answer TO the resolution or the Senate
Of the United States, calling for any INFORMATION
Yerba Buena, Goat Island for military purposes and
also relating 20 the effects any upon the harDor OF
san Francisco in approaching SAID island from the
main land with railroad structures have the honor 10
transmit herewith report upoD these matters DIV te
Board If Engineers for fortncaiions ana sls9
non the same subject by the Board OF Engineers Tor
Fortihcations for the Pacnc Coast togeSher WIN sew
era racngs and maps 10 illustrate these reports Inese
reports substantially agree tlat certain portions
of the island may be renduished 70 accommodate
the wants Of commerce without nateilaly impalIinE
the mower the seaeOas deeDses projected Tor lhat
island After careful review OF the subject concur
in This conclusions TIE portions of the island that
be thus occupied by commerce include Is acres OF me
northern portion Of the island together WIN the north
ern eastern and southern portions OF the shores re-
serving sufficient space on the eastern shore 1or TWO
harbor OF san Francisco of railroad or other structures
extending from the Oakland shore TO or toward the
island of Yerba Buena IS to be remarked that no ma
fera injury to harbor channel Leading TO 1t VIII
be caused by such structures, provided they be Dut
f1p of the currents The letter Of Instructions from
this Office to Boards their reports in reply and
with the papers being numbered from one 10 i've
Very respectfully your ODedient servant
49, A. A. HUMPHREYS,
Brigadier- General and Chief OF Engineers
The Board of Engineers for Notifications. headed by
Cen Barnard in their report to Gen. Humphreys, say
We deem il iudpensa BILE for the proper defense of the
v and harDOr Francisco that the Island OF Yer
la BueDa should be strongly forthed and we consider
thar its Joint occupation the Coy eminent and any
COMPANY or Individual is very Objectionable But, upon
that the wants OF commerce require he
construction Of railroad from the eastern shore OF san
Fancsco Bay the Island OF Yerba Buena and the Oc-
cnnaton of considerable portion of the island ana It's
shore line with railroad depOts, wharVes, ers, ware
bouses and the appurenances OF large trade as pre-
sened i'm your Instructions the Board report That pOr-
tions of the island may be renqshed without nateIl
sv imnairing ITS defenses The Board also state that
fhe filling in OF the shOal the Oakland shore 10
the line OF deep water would nluie the pu' '
a bridge properly built, would not.
The Pacific Coast Board Of Engineers headed by Gen.
Alexander saw in their report 10 Gen Humphreys that
, hole of theiYerba Island should be retained
nv the Government for the defense OF the harbor ana
% NJ San Francisco and that the effect OF approaching
the ISLAND by bridge OF plies by causeway would
work serious damage TO the harbor OF san Francisco
The Board also say, portion or tls isIand must DC
urreudered to railroad purposes, the GOveTnehJ VIII
sacridce part OF the security OF the Guy
~ Sa Francisco in time of 10 supposed commercial
n time of peace They further express their
heef that II portion OF the island Is thus gwen up re
cessop will result III the building OF commercial town
in the middle OF the bay which In time OF war might
easily be set on fire. and thus necessitate the aDandoh
mani of the Notifications top OF the lsad anu oau
10 fine capture of city OF San Francisco Tbey tnere
fore strongly condemn the proposed relnqnlshmeht'