The New York herald., 1874-11-08
DEPARTMENT OF DOCKS.
Progress and Cost OF the WOrks-Two Millions
Of Dollars To Be Spent Every Year.
THE STAFF PLOYED.

The condition OF the water front along both tho
North and East River shores has ioEg oeen re-
proach to the Empire City, and under the ad-
ministration OF the present Board Of Dock Com
missioners there seems 10 be but little reason to
anticipate any speedy arrival to better state OF
things; for when any remonstrance or inquiry
is addressed to them on the subject the inevitable
reply Is That all possible progress Is being made
ana that the works looking toward an improve
meht oi the system OF docks and the bulk head line
Is being pushed on as fast the peculiar interests
involved, ana which have TO be considered allow.
The old Board, although frequently hampered by
the want OF the funds necessary TO carry on their
works simultaneously at the different points
along the two lines OF water 'front.' vet managed
TO push on their works with vigor which prom
ised, at no distant date to give the city q
system OF docks which could be pointed
to with pride instead OF shame. as at
present. The present Board, while they ad-
init that they have no difficulties IN monetary
way to contend with, s.tll protest that they are
using their best endeayors to carry on the work
with every possible celebrity. How far such is the
case can be judged from the particulars given In
tie following account OF what is now being done.
The Commissioners estimate their annual pend.
ture at 1000, 900, although this year the amount
disbursed win fall short, IL 10 thought OF this sum
by $4oo 600. They admit that there has been no
obstacle thrown in their way by the Board Of Ap-
portionmenr, from whom the supplies for carrying
on the works are drawn, and that SO far as any
demand has been made on them for funds It has
been promptly met. 1t Is, therefore, somewhat
difficult to understand the slow manner
in which the WORK OF repairing and rebuild
ing Is carried on, ami why 1t is that
instead OF the $50 men now employed on the dlf.
ierent works this number should not be SO far In
creased as to allow OF the general plan OF construc-
ton being sooner completed. The excuse, how
ever, appears to be that 1t s impossible to obtain
possession OF the plers on account OF their being
IN some cases owned by private individuals or
held under lease from the city. The Commission.
ers however, admit that they have the power to
acquire possession OF these piers, but are afraid to
dspossess the present occupants for fear OF their
bringing action against the city for heavy dam
ages The Board contends too that there are no
worm-eaten piers to be found for the reason that
tOredO cannot live in the water that flows around
and through the plies supporting these piers, on
fows INTO the river. These worms existed, they
say some years ago In immense numbers but
have on the New York shores entirely disap-
pcared Of late They are, however, 1t Is SAID, to
be stll lound on tho Jersey and Brooklyn sides.
THE WORK NOW DOING.
the commissioners is the construction OF the stone
pier known as No. ! North River, which Is, Is is
kdlu, EdplOly approaching COulpcUOu diIuOu8u W
the eye OF novice IN engineering affairs this
desired result seems to be long way on. The
as tne puisnead viii BE- enareiy Completed Sy
July next. They say, too, that as many men aH
can be employed to advantage are now engaged
on the work.
THE CHRISTOPHER STREET SECTION,
which extends from the south side OF the foot o.
Barrow street to West Eleventh street, 1.l5o feet
in length, is being constructed as quickly as pos
slole Already $50 feet OF thus portion Of the bulk.
head has been completed. Inc DREDGING ana
Of nj tlpS w
crete blocks OF the bukhead wall has also been
done along distance OF go feet more and con-
siderable number OF concrete blocks lald down.
The space between the buikhead line and Wcss
street Is also being filled In, which, when finished,
face OF the bulkhead wall, when completed, Will
present aDove low water mark face Of solid
granite similar to tnat now seen at the Battery.
THR CANAL STREET SECTION
shows but little progress, the work there consist.
Ing q the & building o. pier a. occupied t BY the
complete and is 90 feet WIDE by $50 feet IN length.
The approach TO the pier Is merely temporary
Tor the foundation OF the bukhead wall Is now
being proceeded with, the Commissioners say,
with all the energy the department can urge and
the whole is expected to be finished early next
year.
be continued. beginning alresh at some point be-
tween Canal and christopher streets. With the
exceptions above noted no other work is being
done by the department.. Several necessary
works, In the shape OF
REPAIRING AND EXTENDING OLD PIERS
have been done during the year. For instance,
the old piers at the foot OF 152d and l55th Streets
Carmansvllle have been extended and repaired,
afiordng increased faculties to the steamboat and
freight traffic which has location there. several
other piers which needed repairs have, 1t IS re-
ported by the engineers, also been attended to
and secured. The piers built this year are Nos.
49, "A, As, 46 and Al which are disposed or as fol-
lows:-Nos. 43 and 46 retained by the Commission
ers for the temporary docking OF vessels removed
from other piers. Nos. A and IS let to the White
Star line at o rental OF $4,000 per annum. No 47
not yet let. The space between piers 43 and "A IL
leC the GhrSfODh0r Street Ferry COmDAnY a
rental OF $4,000 per annum.
THE FINANCIAL EXHIBIT.
The receipts and disbursements OF the depart.
ment since January !, last, Is as foll0ws:-
Received for rents. Observation-Disclosures. $3.50, 900
Dtsbursed for saares materials, &c 1900, 900
The working stan Is as fOows:-Three Commls.
sioners. engineer in chief. three assistant en-
gtneers one secretary one chle CLERK four assist
ant clerks, one messenger and $50 lao0rers