The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1873-06-20
OUR DILAPDATED DOCKS
The Present Condition Of the Department d
Docks-What the New Commissioners Pro-
pose To Do and What They Are
Trying to Understand

AEym8 W ou0eIStau0s
since the new Commissioners OF the Departments
OF Docks took possession OF the functions and
appurtenances Of their positions given them by the
benevolent Mayor OF the city OF New York, the
public have begun to feel anxious about the much
talked-0f and much Wanted plans for IMPROVING
the wharfage OF the city, which at one time during
the administration OF their predecessors were the
foundations OF glowing hopes that something was
about to be done worthy OF great municipality az
one or the three or four chief commercial centres
OF the world. The dilapidated and rotten condition
OF the docks, piers and bulkheads that pet the
island has long been palpable and most offensive
evil. To commerce it has been the cause OF great
loss and inconvenience, and has made this harboi
far less attractive to shippers than 1t should be,
when 1t Is considered that In
NATURAL ADVANTAGES
1t has no equal on the face OF the globe. The un.
dredged slips. receptacles OF the city's sewers.
which empty the worst kinds OF filth under the
very noses OF the multitude OF human beings whose
business compels them to pass In their vicinity
during part OF every day, have been In every year
past among the most dreadful breeding places OF
infection. Thousands OF people crossing on the
ferries, landing from the steamers which moor at
the wharves, or walking and riding along tho
streets which border them, are victims OF this
DANGEROUS CURSE.
The warm breezes OF Summer, blowing either
way from the waters of the two rivers through the
most thickly populated portions Of the CITY, carry
on their wings the atoms OF the fearful miasma,
which they SOW broadcast among the living, who
shortly, however, by its sckening power are per.
haps to be placed among the dead.
walk along West street and Eleventh avenue,
on the west side of the island OF Manhattan, and
South street. the east side, will at certain hours
OF the day strongly impress upon any one de-
cded repugnance for the atmosphere OF those 10
calities. Observation will divulge also the fact
that the piers all along the water front are In need
OF repairs; in only few places are w0rKmen
actively engaged on them, and at some points the
timbers and piles have sunk into the water and
there remain untouched monuments Of the
shame OF -}s
A NERvELEsS MUNICIPAL MANAGEMENT
The new Board OF Commissioners OF Docks have
not been long enough in of1ce to make themselves
| with regard to their duties; but they find them
selves confronted by all the evils which grew OUT
OF the mixed and confused state of affairs that ex.
listed In the Department. at the close OF the reign OF
the old Board. The difficulty which the latter had
that time Tor the suspension OF all progressive
| operations. The new Commissioners now profess
| Comptroller, and disclam any intention OF qub-
| bling about trivial questions Of "red-tapelsm."
reporter OF the HERALD called at tue rooms s OF
conversation with
PRESIDENT wESTERvELT,
| who was seated at his desk overlooking the worn
| OF his subordinates. The bureaux rented by The
| Department are very large, and are eaborately
and richly fitted up; but In strange contrast with
| their luxury and elegance, some OF them are de.
void OF occupants, like the deserted halls OF the
| Casars the runs of which are to be seen in Rome.
1 The officials who were present seemed to be work.
| ing with the melancholy precision OF c0ckw0rk,
| but with expressions on their faces that might
! have implied consciousness OF loneliness In the
splend0r and magnitude OF their surroundings, or,
IN TACT, any other consciousness.
Mr.. Westervelt, gentleman with q square
| physiognomy and iron-gray hair, was quite ready
TO talk. ,.e
CONDITION OF THE DEPARTMENT.
what is the present condition Of the Depart
mentY" ~ t@
| Mr.. wEsrERvELT-well, 1t was in good condition
| when we came here, but its action has been
! somewhat paralyzed III consequences OF the feeling
| which existed between the old Commission and
the Comptroller relation to the carrying on OF the
| work. About that controversy have nothing to
trouble Of that kind. we don't care who pays our
bills, provided they are paid after being properly
audited at this Office They can be met Just as well
| at the COmptroler's bureau as here. We are now
| in no need OF money.
REPoRTER-About the unfinished work Of i'm.
proving the waterfront, Mr.. Westcrveit. What
| do the new commissioners propose to dor
Mr.. WEsTERyELT-We intend to go abe ad as
| soon as we can. The Commissioners are now
strangers TO each other and each is not fully ln-
formed as to the ideas of the others; but believe
al IN a @so
| to arrive at a lair understanding OF the manner
| aud method OF properly constructing the proposed
| bulkhead wall. We are engaged now in discussing
! the plans of the engineers, and have not yet de.
cided whether they are such as we can approve.
| THE Rebuilding OF PIERS.
REPoRrER-Are you going to rebuild any Of the
dilapidated PIERS and. II SO, how win they be con-
structedf
| Mr.. WEsTERvELT-we shall rebuild some of the
old wooden piers on the old plans very 500. They
will offer convenience for commerce during the
construction OF the new bulkneads.
/ REPoRTRR-When do you propose to resume the
work on the bulkheads Z
THE STONE BULKHEADs.
| Mr.. WESTERvELT-We DO not know exactly
there are some driculties in the way We are look.
| ing forward to q commencement OF the work on
the North River, beginning at Canal street and
| progressing upward to Vest Eleventh street.
REPoRTER-What are the difficulties TO which you
| refer?
sion of the property on which the Improvements
are TO be maze. In the region where we intend to
begin the work the piers, with one exception,
already belong to the city. and here we can enter
REPoRrER-can you give date near which the
Mr.. WEsTERvELT-About the LIST of August, per.
| haps: We want to proceed as soon as we can.
REPoRTER-What Is the
@tIM PLAN OF CONSTRUCTION frE
| which you have under consideration
Mr.. WEsTERvELT-It is to drive plenty OF piles as
the foundation for the work, and ON these inning
about fifteen feet below low water mark, to build d
wall Of manufactured stone called Beton, to be
| finished with cut granite. The advantages OF this
| pan are great saving OF expense over the Orgi-
nal plan and as great security as 1t offered. rRe
/ piles will be too lar below water to be injured by
worms, and the character Of the water OF the har.
Dor is such now, proven by scientific test, that
these creatures cannot i've In II. II this plan is
put into practice, the piers and the bulkhead Will
| at the same time be extended about one hundred
and eighty feet farther into the river than they
Alter some further but unimportant converse.
ton the reporter withdrew impressed with q very
confused idea OF the plans and projects OF the new
Board OF Dock Commissioners, Us any one perhaps
would have been who was In IKE position.