The New York herald., 1873-12-28
MAKE THE HARBOR SAFE.

Memorial 10 the Lighthouse Board by the
Underwriters and Pflots-What the
Latter Say About Drifting Buoys-IIar-
bor rEncroachme nts-Hopcd for Legisla-
tion.
Early last week memorial signed by all the un-
derwriters of New York and every Sandy HOOK
pilot at that time not at sea was sent to the Light
house Board at Washington, respectfully stating
"that during the prevalence OF snow and Ice, when
bnoys are especially needed, the spar buoys usually
placed in the harbor are extremely difficult to find
and vessels are thereby often placed in jeopardy
and in the interests OF navigation they ask that the
iron nun and can buoys be not removed, but that
spar buoys be separately moored beside them, 50
tnat II one be carried away the other will remain
to mark the spot.n
Inquiry among the leading pilots yesterday re-
veaed the fact that these industrious and deserv-
ing gentlemen are much exercised In regard to
the proper protection OF the Duoys IN the harbor,
and particularly ut this season OF the year. when
ice may be expected in such quantities as to dis
turb their location. II has been the custom Of the
Lighthouse Board to remove the can buoys in the
winter time ana substitute spar buoys in their
stead and, while the pilots have never protested
against such action they have felt that an increased
number OF marks 10 dangerous navigation should
be made by the proper authorities instead OF de-
creasing them, and now respectfully petition as
quested to give his opinion upon the subject:-
II came from sea yesterday friday and |
found that several OF the buoys were adrift There
is not weight enough attached TO them to keep
them in their places even now; and II they go
adrilt at tins season, what Will be the result when
the bay Is full OF lceY consider that the govern
ment ought to keep the stricest watch upon the
buoys IN the narbor; and II IL required the eX-
penditura OF little additional money. the result
would justify it and the satisfaction among all
interested IN maritime aEairs be very great.
Now, have been pilot IN these waters -
n
maintain this reputation, and, to do so, requires
the greatest vigilance; but, If puoys are constantly
their proper location-no one knows what may
happen in thick snow squall and what damage
would result from a displaced buoy"
Said another nilot:-.'The dangers arising to
deep draught vessels from ouoys going adrlt are
constantly increasing, and soon unless there are
remedial measures at once ADOPTED TO replace all
such and to anchor them properly, l. for one, shall
be compelled to refuse to take such vessels TO sea
or bring them into the harbor Numbers OF ves-
sells are now coming to this port and departing
tnererom drawing % feet and &c feet OF water. and
this was unknown few years ago. so that greater
care all around must be exercised"
still another old pilot, in putting himself on the
record when the matter was referred to, said
1t should not be. only a short time since that on
the lower part OF the Romer was found up near
the Monument, ana such changes are constantly
taking place, particularly at this season OF the
year,
regarding the shifting OF the buOys IN the harbor
led to the presentation or the above memorial to
the Lighthouse Board, and one and all feel that
perhaps greater safety and renewed confidence in
all character OF weather will result to those con-
cerned, II the authorities will proceed at once and
take the necessary steps TO place and retain the
buOys in the manner sought and asked. 1t is not
very great or tedious job vet, ii 1t were, the in
terests OF navigation demand 1t.
While obtaining the views OF the pilots as above
there was met gentleman entitled to speak on the
subject OF narbor cncroachments, and, in his
opinion, there is every reason to believe that
Governor Dix will so present the matter to the
coming Legislature that there viii undoubtedly
ensue such action that not only VIII the harbor
be improved, but those who are constantly filing
up It's channels by dumping coal ashes and the
thousand other refuse stun that constantly finds
its way there will be severely punished.
until the Greece went ashore on the corpora
tion mud flats, Off oyster Island" he continued,
'the pilots had not had such an accident within a
year: but here is a shoal made dangerous by the
washing up OF the coal ashes thrown overheard by
captains OF steamboats,, as few years since there
was plenty OF water on the shoal for the largest
size and deepest draught vessels. 1t should be a
penal offence thus to fill up the harbor, and we
have great hopes that II VIII not be long before
there is a law that will bring all Offenders OF the
kind TO punishment This Is the time 10 act, ana
delay is particularly deserving OF condemnation.r