The New York herald., 1876-02-28
THE WILLIAMSBURG FERRIES.

Since the early part OF last May the New York and
Brooklyn Ferry Company holding the leases of the
ferries between New York and Williamsburg, have
been actively engaged in improving their accommoda-
tions for passengers and teams Tho old PIERS
and racks OF the ferry at the foot of Broadway,
williamsburg have been removed and new structures
put in their places New floating bridges have replaced
the old style hanging bridges in three Of tho slips
there, and other important improvements are pro-
crossing. The entire work Is under the management
of Captain Chappe the Superintendent OF tho ferries,
who gave the following details yesterday TO a HERALD
reporter;The work the Williamsburg side has been
going ON, without intermisson, Tor about nine months
The old slips have been dredsed to give
an increased depth of several feet in each Of them
Three or the piers have been entirely removed the
old rubbish carried away and substantial crb-docks
filed with stone constructed in their stead for the
purpose OF withstanding the shock ana danger from
drifting fields OF ice The pile tenders have been
pulled up and racks of oak planks boed 10 new and
larger piles substituted Thus there is less dlculty
for the boats IN entering the slips and more protection
from the accidental breakage OF thin piles.
The heads OF the posts or piles behind the racks havo
been left projecting about fifteen inches above the tops
OF the tenders, that II boat happens to jamned
broadsidc the slip, Is held by the drift ice
hawsers be from the boats to the rack and the
boat warped In. The faces OF the racks have been
covered with paint that protects the wood and 30
ubricates II that the friction of the dry iron the
boats against the wood is reduced TO the lowest point
Another great Improvement made Is the change OF
tho grade from the ferry gates 10 the bridges In
order 10 effect the change the three bridges
carried thirty the old bulkhead line and
the shore end lowered eighteen inches. Tho slope
from the gates has been altered the depression
and is now, even at the lowest tide oil the same grade
as broadway at its approach to the Jerry
Work viii be commenced Immediately on the north
slip occupied by the boats running the foot or
Grand street, New York. Tho present hanging bridge
will be taken away and
FLOATING cAssoS BRIDGE
OF the style tho other new Ones fixed In the
slip but TAR enough out TO be "a line with the
board ends oil the other new bridges and the bulknead
will be ned out to IT, While that work going
tho bouts on that line will use the next slip below
When the labor ON bridges has been completed the
cupboard ends will be line. The elevated depot OF
the Southern Railroad of Long Island now extending
down. the terminus OF that railroad having been
changed Hunters Point since the consolidation OF
the Long Island railroads under the management of
Mr. Poppenhuson. Tho last tram IRON South Eighth
street depot went out on Saturday night
During the summer Captain Chappel intends to CON-
mence work on the proposed ferry house. For the
preservation of heir property, well Tor the
modaton OF the travelling public, the company have
and bridges inside Of the ferry gates The
front on the river Will be 800 feet in
length, with average elevation OF forty or
fifty feet On the first, ground floor, will be the
ticket offices. commodous waiting rooms, toilet rooms
Offices OF the company, &c The entire building viii
be lighted with gas, and probably heated by steam
AT the terminus OF tho Jerry on the New York
side OF the river. Grand street. floating casson
bridge similar to those at the Williamsburg Shore has
been placed IN position, and the improved racks
tenders set up greatly improving the operation OF that
ferry and afiordng strong contrast with the dap-
dated structure adjoining formerly used by the boats
running to Grand street, Williamsburg At Roosevelt
street. New York, the new bridges and racks are in
good order the floors OF the bridges being resheathed
with plankng as often rs required. Captain Chappe
states that tie work referred above has occupied
forty skilled workmen for the last nine months and
has cost the company about $780, 000 and the OF
the entire work when completed Will reach the sum OF
500, 900.