The New York herald., 1876-10-08
The He'll Cato Improvement.

man, IL reported 10 nave SalO OF tne WoIk
which General Newton is doing at He'll Gate
that it was of less importance than people
supposed, and that no matter how thor
oughly the channel might be deepened
ocean steamers would not use the inland
passage through Long Island Sound. but
would continue to prefer the present en-
trance by way of Sandy Hook. We esteem
the Commodore's judgment so highly that
we confess this opinion Of his startled us
somewhat. On reflection, however, we cam
not help thinking him for once mistaken.
He acknowledges that there will be o saving
of distance, but believes this will be more
than balanced by possible dangers of navi-
CATION in Long Island Sound, and that on the
whole the seamen who command our Allan
tic steamers will prefer Sandy Hook. But
if the Commodore and those who think with
him will reflect we believe they will acknowl-
edge that there are no dangers or difficult
ties in the approach to or the actual nayiga-
ton of the Sound by large steamers which
will or ought to deter such vessels from
using it in preference to the other entrance.
Let us see There is an ascertained saw
ing of distance of about fifty miles Besides
this the Sound offers one hundred and fifty
miles of smooth water sailing, in which large
steamer can make much better time than on
the rough ocean. 1t offers straight and
clear course, rs much so as ship could
make ut sea- Against this it is urged that
the Sound may be foggy, and that
the dangers of navigation are in
creased by the multitude of coasters
which use that inland passage. But as to
fog, we have only to point to the fact that
three lines Of large and crowded steamers
make their daily or nightly journeys through
the Sound with such regularity that they
meet trains at the other end of the lines.
These vessels, while less fitted to contend
with any OF the difficulties of navigation to
which the Sound exposes them, are as
speedy as ocean steamers, and are obliged to
do constantly what the latter need not
mako their passage with extreme punctu-
ality, in order to transfer their passengers
to waiting trains. Yet they meet with no
such difficulties or distractions as are sup
posed to exist. They are as prompt, as reg
ular in their arrivals and departures as
their business connection with railroads re-
quires; and that they experience no uncom-
mon risks or delays from fogs or coasting ves-
sells is shown sufficiently by their constant and
large patronage. The travelling public uses
these steamers with the same confidence
with which it uses the railroad trains. There
is, in fact, in our belief no peril or embar-
rassment in the navigation of Long Island
Sound by ocean steamers which is not found
in an equal md indeed greater degree in the
approach by way of Sandy Hook. That way
also is crowded with vessels, is ns often be-
set by fogs, and it hos the disadvantage of
being less direct, more stormy, and, on the
whole, more difficult. After passing Mon
tauk Point an ocean steamer would find her
self in what to her passengers would seem
smooth water. The inconveniences Of the
ocean would disappear. The anxieties of
the commander and his crew would not be
increased, but diminished. We do not
doubt, therefore, that the inland passage
will come into general use by ocean steam
ers as soon as He'll Gate is made safely nav
ignblc for them.
OF course whenever this change takes
place it must have an important and benc-
fetal result upon the conveniences for the
accommodation of much of the commerce Of
New York. The steamers passing in through
the Sound will land their passengers and
freight at the upper end of the island, where
they can have abundance Of room for docks,
warehouses and other needed accommoda-
TONS This change is even now very desir-
able, not only for the steamer lines, which
are now put to great expense to secure adj
vantages totally inadequate to their needs,
but also to the rest of our constantly grow
ing commerce, which is now crowded into
less than half Of our great water
line. An immense saving of time
and money will be effected whenever
the water front of the upper end Of the
island is utilized for the accommodation Of
n considerable part of our ocean and coast
ing traffic. There is even now urgent need
of such transfer. The docks and streets in
the lower part of New York are crowded
greatly beyond their capacity shippers and
draymen know to their cost the trouble,
wear and tear and loss this constantly in
wolves. The port needs much greater and
more convenient shipping facilities and
more systematized use of them. When, MS
will soon happen, prosperity returns, in
dustry and commerce revive, and our harbor
fills with ships from all quarters of the
globe, we shall be unprepared to accommo-
date them, and shall inevitably lose part Of
that on which we depend for our increase in
the future.
In this relation we print elsewhere letter
from Mr. Martin, President of the Depart
ment Of Public Parks, concerning the Harlem
River improvement He acknowledges the
very great importance Of this work and it's
necessity to the proper development of our