New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1874-01-31
TIE NEW TORK DOCKS.


IMPROVEMENTS OF THE RIVER FRONT
THE DOCK COMMISSIONERS PLANS FOR NEw PIERS
AND A RIVER WALL IN rHe VICINITY OF CHRISTIE
PHER-sr.
The most extensive and Important single
work yet undertaken by tho present Board OF Dock
IL the construction OF the now piers on
what 1, known a. The Christopher-st Section" Tho
Of this section extends from point
inst nth Of the ferry boat landing at Christopherst to
tho south side OF West Eeyenths, about l icet ana
three piers arc to DO built out from 1t.
Old Piers o. "a and s. previously occupying this sec
ton though in o dllapdated condition. were, WIN tue
adjoining basin tho north, tho ste OF an exclusive
business Including tho branch OF the oyster rsdo
of the city Tho old piers and docks had for some tn'
been useless for tho purposes OF ordinary seagong yes
ses or even for coaswise craft OF size The pecu
liar cure OF tho bank just above produced spe-
ces Of backset" which prevented the sewerage from
being carried by the tides current ana an immense
bank Of mud was formed At tho beginning OF work IN
Sep last tho bottom at tho old buikhead hne waa
reguarl dry at low water while there was oy nT'
feet OF water at distance OF 100 feet from the
The n nn, i o 40 feet ~" distance Of
feet aud with average width OF 30 fee involving an
actual removal Of 5000 cubic yards OF material OF over
Te driving of the piles for the foundation OF the new
wall has partly completed for about $50 feet from
the point OF beginning aud work upon IL Is now making
rapid progress. - ..o.. ne ,,.,
rendered not only change IN tue numbering
Of the piers but also Important changes ana Improve
ments IN their forms proportions, anu tho d0cks IN
cHdod bythem The three new piers are therefore, 70
be Nos a 49, and 46, instead OF Nos j 81 ana oJ and
beginning at tho bukhcad line, extend inuGh fur
hsr into e river obvatng some at least, OF tho dis
which tended TO destroy the value OF Tue on
structure. The piers ara very much superior IN
work,nanAip and general appearance. ~ wen as III
strength and prospective durability 10 any otnots on 'uo
Tbe niles all OF which are OF good size and quality,
arc driven at less than tho usual d.taUce; apart u,o
timber suIsrstructuro ia well fastened 80 hr hs pun
and the broad solid surface OF the piers themselves
promise ~ afford every facility Tor the receipt anu uo
livery even the heaviest goods tlei 10; - alc"Y
srte1d, over 400 feet from the bulshead ne u
partly covered deoked and viii soon reich - outer
Pier No a. m. been piled" 800 feet from the
bukhead and upper timbers are beng placed WIN
e. Win - iret Pier No 45 mas been "piled" Tor
about 800 feet. aud Will have when MASHED lehSth OF
abont as fcet and width ot 90 ieol Lac remaining
pier 10 the northwdri not yet begun, VIII De ony -i
feel by 50 feet. -. - an o.b.oi,
the whole work depends of spruce ana Pine umD5r'
as 10 81 fee long and from Is to q inches through ~ the
base They are driven IN parallel rows, cigh ect iPdf
the piles bang five feet apart IN oach row. Tue deCk
or ,perstnciure il formed 81 iongltHdni anu eioss
cans and erdors timber IL inches square, planked
over with dye-inch yellow pine PLANK rae plas arc
thoroughly braced from low water Upward witn nys V
igcye inch pine planh~, screWbolted ana spAen 10
men iH9c,. ,y snlJ aye-nch oak plar king from
low water up further protected ny sheathlng OF
bocr-iron PLACES. The dOchS between the pier, Nhl '
iredg mean low water drpth OF ABOUT 20 ieo. 20
near the pierbead, will OF course he nich greater
Tho river wall UT Jun" VIZ, a. n,.,r,,
ne % H ,o 'i,,, rnn' II A. his pJt th. nature
oi ,e ~ bn,;n,n ron ers tbe eniplormpnt OF pile
foundation imperative alhoISn w - Nv 40 , i' -,
be aiken a, nsr ri in od and wafer Is almost
nde rnctible After the preparation OF the bottom by
dredging the pile. are d,iNsh q, a,DI' - , -,
eIch way, nat ''' rhe iter,ircs are men n1cs hard
With broken stone ana concrete On tho lever pea mus
800, y. "a sat nr fivc faet abnye me n, bird water. In
t,n;, f.i ~ Low water use ia made OF concrete
Ick. ~ rom a, to so ton weight eich Tuese blocks
are connnscd of one part Portland cement to two Of
sand and I'VE Oh pVAen stone anu and Stremeth
n,h ariac,st stone manuf,ctired From tnis
ns tonarpiou and strength laid ON the spo ia mass
d ,aced Win anite masonry The width OF this wall
a. t tbe t tSo, Or % cons me- about oi feet
ina mschinery employed I'm the prosecution Of this
az s,s.n nile drivers are now steadily emp!oyed
ryng from loo 1870 piles per day and The two steam
rcga'. are s engaged upon the dredging. "a oppor-
ty ner,niIs From 100 TO I70 men are constantly en-
, ,InY, Pmnstiy dock.buiders and mechanics
pig niont ousniitv of tbe borts has already bccn
nnf.ctnred ~ the wards of the Department To com
nsie Io feet linear of The WALL aud a large part OF the
.'ons
The number o, piles already driven is over $500, and
those vet required FOR this section are for the
Greater psrt either on hand or contracted for II
dersood that piers Nos A and A. are 10 be used mme
distey on Their complexion BY the white star me VI
steamers, at a yearly rental of $4,000
This entire work has been from tile beginning under
Drn,rtmrut zen Charles X Graham assisted ~ John
II Van Rurep IT, assistant e Engineer.
49, - ~, ,,,v ,,,,g,vvx,.s wang
RECORD vi i"H De- iA"Si "oH
when the Department OF DOCKS "a' ctcateu INC piers
and of the city were In very runous condi
, an, o,iy a ANAL wharfage was received nv tina
1,ou' 'nu inv ~, r',,',,sa,onn.' n.ar,
Controller. The commissioners consumer nearly year
in investigating the lega titles the piers many being
,.....,,. ,,o..o,. a., hari,,, n .,,rra, made ~
oNneu y, W rha riv.r iron, ard in tnyast.tins
and having drs Va ND piaus tor new dock SYSTEM.
Tue scmsvemeht, vi tne Doa. VI Dochs. wv oIore,