The New York herald., 1874-07-21
IMPORTANT TO INLAND NAVIGA.
TION.

The Staten Island-New Jersey Channel
in Which Are Interested Fourteen
States-The Work OF Removing the
Distractions.
It is o fact not generally known that an i'm
mense trafic Is done by steamboats, every year
through the waters or staten Island aud New
Jersey. formerly called "Acnter Kull," to distin-
gush them from Raritan Bay or "kill Won kul,"
but now known as Staten Island Sound No less
than fifteen dinerent lines OF steamboats, ply in
these waters. ten Of which alone trade between
Philadelphia and ports farther north. Besides
these there are large numbers Of sailing craft,
briggs, scnoOners and sloops which do a large car
rying trade between the Amb0y ports New York,
places up the Hudson and Eastern ports. Not only
do the boats OF Jersey and New York, but
those Of Virginia, Delaware, Pennsylvania
and all the New England States ply on
the "Achter Kull." A reliable statistician states
that the commerce passing through this channel
last year amounted TO 100000 tons, valued at
from $35.OOO.OOO to round $l0O. 1000 900, and the
traffic Is. OF course, yearly increasing Hence the
and unoDstruoted channel. Instead OF this, how
ever the me, channel rom point known as Corner
rendered most unsafe and uncert in oy
DANGEROUS DISTRACTIONS
ana alluvla imped mems. Not year has gone by
IN winch vessels nave not been stranded, disabled
or totally wrecked by reason OF these distractions,
when tor the most part consist OF great nut de-
pOsts. At the present time the wrecks or
several fine vessels are observable in the
"Kull" Between the points named, distant about
tremely tortuous, and, during certain winds and
tides, frequently baff1es the skill and anshlp OF
And even unuer the most favorable circumstances
OF uce and weather the channel IS dangerous and
vessels are frequently grounded 80 that their car
goes nave to be removed In lighters or else wait
days or weeks, perhaps. for relief from elementary
CHANGES At ordinary high tide the channel is
iaat Aaaf,
THE EFFECT OF ALL THIS
mas been to impede navigation. increase transpOr-
tation expenses and. IN many cases, to render 1t
more costly to ship cargo from Elizabeth to New
the Chesapeake or Delaware across New Jersey TO
the port named. Besides the damage to property,
many weatheroeaten mariner has undergone
great hardships. even when in full sight OF land,
IN stormy weather and I'm the dead waste and
middle of the night.' To do away with these
dangers and obstructions has been lOr years past
the dream and ambition OF Mr.. John p. Bonneli,
Haroor Master OF EzaDethpOrt, N. j. After per-
New Jersey passed the necessary laws, looking to
| the improving OF the channel Then to Washing
| ton went Mr. BOnnell Here his efforts to get
through the necessary Appropriation were warmly
seconded by both senators stockton and Freling-
huysen. congressman Clarke, OF Elizabeth VINO
was pledged ON his election to pay particular at
tentlon to the matter. appears to have paid the
same attention to ms promises in this respect
most persistent laDOr OF Watching. the bill was
rushed through the Senate and Just as the hour OF
auJOurnlnent was at hand an
APPROPRIATION OF FIFTY THOUSAND DOLLARS
was made.
1t Is believed that $45OOOO win fully cover the
cost OF the Improvement. few days ago Mr..
BOnnell received from Washington the hydrO-
graphic survey of the channel executed under the
direction OF Major General JOnn A. Newton, United
states Army, ana the WORK will be begun tort
with under the eye Mr.. Geissler, civil engineer
and Major General Newton. The channel be tween
the points ABOVE named will be considerably
Strengthened and an artificial made through
the mud shoals 500 ieet wide. Dredging Will have
TO be done for about q mile. Every year 300 ves-
sells have grounded in this channel.