The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-09-15
HELL GATE IMPROVEMENTS.
WHAT THE STEAMsHIP MEN HAVE
10 S1Y 1BOUT THIN
OF Great Beneht to Local aud Coastina Gran,
but Of Little PracticsI Use to Ocean ~tcnm-
shIps- Views of the Pilot Commission ers.

OF Great Beueht to Local aud Coastins Gran,
but Of Little PracticsI Use to Ocean ~tcnm-
ships Views of the Pilot Commissioner.
The agents of the different European
steamship companies in this city have deter
mined not to avail themselves OF the improve
ments which are TO be made by the proposed
blowing up of the distractions around Hell
Gate. They claim that the distance to be saved
by bringing their vessels through Long Island
Sound will be but a few miles, and that II
this route Is adopted their vessels and passen-
gers would be exposed to additional perils than
arc now encountered by way Of Sandy Hook
Light.
MIR. Cortis, the agent OF the White Star Steam
ship COMPANY. speaking on the subject said
=" II Is ridiculous to suppose that ocean steam
ers OF the present capacity coming through
Long Island Sound would save anything like 800
miles. as reported. II thirty miles are saved,
that would be the very outside but there were
other questions at stake than mere distance.
Long Island abounded, "a every one knew, with
numerous shoals and no dependence could be
placed upon the winds In that direction which
would admit OF a steamer being safely handled
by either pilot or captain, and another great OBJ
lection to this course was that the constant and
busy tlyiOg Of small craft going no and down
the T. st river would greatly impede any Euro
peau steamer through any mart Of the river. In
the winter time IL was choked up with ice mucn
worse than that encountered about the North
liver or indy Hook, whi @ the foRs were more
numerous and dense. Even " steamers did not
bringing them around the North river. the vessels
would be hard 70 navigate. aud the inconven-
ience TO PASSENGERS and freight operations
would be- very serious. lhe slpposition that In
the course Of "a snort time new aud extensive
docks would be butt on the East river side
was quite erroneous, ~ the Commissioners OF
Docks had no such Idea now, even II they ever
had.
he steamers could not be navigated through
| tho East River without great danger Of being
driven ON TO the BROOKLYN side by reason OF the
strong currents " hicn would be met with with
! out causing much danger to the small craft and
T. the vessels themselves In foggv weather the
vessels would have to anchor. which was not
the case Win vessels until they arrived at Sandy
| Hook Hight, and there could not be a better
| point than MOntauk light for a guide.
| then navigation was easy, and even In bad
/ weather vessels could be brought up to their
docks and discharged without much delay.
| he North river possesses many advantages
! over the East river; the river was much wider.
the number Of crft much smaller, and larse
steau ers could he easily naygated over any
] part OF the river, which could not be the case on
| tue east side.
Vessels gong ont 20 Europe from their docks
would nave to come down as far as the Batt'ry
before "A he idway could be obtained. II docks
were erected on tho East river side, ana thus
obstacles would be encountered which would
be ~ bard e. get over as those at Hell Gate.
One most imoortant objection TO the proposed
new course was ia Iegerl To freight. IL would
be almost IN possible 10 nave the Gamer docks
| On the east slue a. the great railroad centre for
! frcikht was 90 the North river. where the bulk
of the freight of all kinds WAS received there.
] 10 move TINS avv freight from one side OF tho
! river 10 the other would be next 10 an imposst-
| thiy wIhout considering the expense Of extra
TRANSFORMATION. Great loss OF time would, OF
! course, follow, aud. further. the commerce OF
| New YORK Nouid De completely ruined. ana tho
shipping rdde almost entirely at a stand-tn
Mi, Corus thought That the improvements
which nave been made at Hell GAZE were very
! necessary aud proper. but the only benefit de-
rived would DE To tue inland cOasting vessels
when had TO go through Long Island Sound
| In order To get to their destin ttiOn. lie was
fuiy Convinced no ocean steiner would ever
attempt To ~ through Hell Gate while there
Hook. N'' "'' - 0AA''
Mr.. Mckenzie Of the Anchor line OF steam
ships slso gave his views. He was convinced
that no European steamer would attempt TO use
the p,ouosed new course. ami SAID he agreed
| entirely with the views expressed by Mr.. Cortis.
; nj he; 1t IL entirely wrong to think that the
steamship companies would effect any great
saving ~ money by taking the new route. As the
dist nee was but few miles less, and the
steamers would take but few hours more ny
| going or coming the old route, while the danger
wouli De conslderaoiS increased.
vessels entering ov the SounG would have
| to taAe piiot mucn larger distance outside
OF Montauk Point Inan Il the present dine, aud
| ldrge steamers would be frequently blockdded
| ~ fogs and Ice. particularly when vessel
would draw twenty to twenty-five feet Of
water"
otner steamship conn anies were questioned
upon tue subject. and they all agreed that tho
! views ABOVE gwen were those shared In by oil
| the AGENTS OF this cav.
that no Atlantic steamer Will pass through the
SOund when cUmulel Ell, owing 20 the grs at dan-
| gers To be encountered 10y the strong currents
along the East river. ana the number OF crafts
coust autly ssing up and down. aud from ferry
TO terry. They said the Improvements t. Hell
Gate we're never intended To be for the benefit
of European steamers, tut for the coa-ting
/ tfadp. wnich carried 10y way of Long
| Isl nd sound. This inland coasiiug trade was
| OF greater importance than all the European
uade pat together either OF imports or exports,
! and tue commerce II the country would be
greatly incieas, u. Forthis reason tue merch ,nts
| had approved OF Gen. Newtou's work, "a tuey
! wished to Improve the home trade aud the
necessary 1. clnIies OF trans. ortaton.