New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1877-03-01
FILLING LITTLE HE'LL GATE


CHANDLER DECLARES IT WILL NOT BIZ DfTRi-
MENTAL TO HEALTH, AND GEN. NEWTON SAYS II
WILL NOT INJURE NAVIGATION.
Cen Smith President of the Police Com
mjssioners talked freely few days ago about
the Temonstrance OF the Society for the ReioIHIa-
ton Of Juvenile DcliDquents against hlimg up
Little Hell Gate with street refuse. lie S"'d
that the question OF health was the most important
but the supposion that the proposed filing
would he urhealthful entirely without foundation
The memorial rcmonstrance stated two propositions
first that the filing would breed malaria and disease
Prof Chandler President Of the health Board and others
wen qualified Judge, had given a. their opinion that
no odors decomposition could he caused by the de
pcsit rs even organic would not become Gecom
posed by the action of water. All the organic matter
that would be dumped would be potato skins or some
similar refuse which might perhaps lind their way INTO
The ashes and no matter what quantity should he de-
pOstad no eluva could rise above the surface OF the
water If this not true. then il would be unhealtu
to the contents of toe sewers run into the rivers" B
no ones n0stris offended where the sewer refuse
was discharged beneath the water line. In the process
OF dumping what organic matter might be in the refuse
would be carried away with the current, and the hard
ashes and SOLID dirt would remain making hiin ana
healthful foundation.
The second objection made by the society that the
closing of this small passage would bring the Harlem
River toward the character OF mpond," preventing
land Sound. Gen. Smith said that no man was better
able to give an opinion the currents and the effect
% filing IN the small water passage than Gen Newton
who declared that III place hndeiinG navigation III INC
Harlem River the proposed change would greatly I'M
prove it There is a passage between RIndas Island
and the Wcstchcoter shore called the Kills which IL
pre- posed to widen and make naygabe for the largest
vessels thus providing a short route from Long Island
SouuG To tho docks along the Harlem RIVER The eject
OF closing Little Hell Gate, Gen. Newton declares, Will
be 70 deepen the channel Of the Harlem River and the
Ki!B ard the current which now carries the sewer
refuse through the small passage near the mouth of the
Harlem River will DE diverted, and carry it through the
Kills thus disturbing the sluggish character Of the river
in is uuper portion and cleansing IL thoroughly OF
IT'S impurities The annoying eddcs in the vicinity OF
Wards Island and Raudalls Island viii pass away the
shoals created by currents will disappear and
the whole river be benefited II would be well TO I'll up
the passage, even 1t were not proposed TO use II us
dumping ATound.
Gen Smith said that if the present project should fall
through he dcsparcd of finding way to get rid OF the
ctys dirt First II was proposed to fill up the sunSen
lots with tine refuse but this stopped by the Of
malaria and disease. Then the material was Dumped in
the lower bay but the Pilot Commissioners protested
mat this would i'll up the harbor Then scOws were
bought steam tugs hired and large sums of money
expended TO take the refuse ont TO In stormy
weather trips cOald not be made. and ice in the har
Dor prevented the dumping in the Winter months. The
pTopOseG plan is economical, will make about 20
of land 900 annually, and Will be perfectly
healthy and Of benefit to navigation.
The following report by Gen. Newton has been sent to
Gen. A. 4. Humphreys, Chief Of Engineers at Washing
ton:
In referring 10 the inclosed communication from the
Police commissioners to state my opinion that
he closing of The channel between NIdN ana EaUdaS
Islands. know as Little Hell Gate Will not operate in
mtion,y UpDu the tidal exchange between the East and
Harlem Rivers upon tnC- currents. In the Harlem
River the cbJ current, having al mean tiGSs maximum
yrioclt. 81 knots. than the Hood with a
CORES OHGEE velocity at La knots from tue east th
The Harlem River WIN great velocity through
Ittc Icn and the Harlem Kills, setting strongly
toward the Ncw-Golk shore ana forming eddieH ~ rs
iuArt.uu with the waters OF the Harlem RIVER Inc
Hood, the Other hand enClmg the mouth ~ Harlem
River Gcmcs at its commencement ;'IC 90 he co,i
ward. dUc r. the INSTRUMENTATION afforded ny the
passes Little Hell cate ana OF The Harlem Nils be
tween the Harlem River and Hell Gate
the ns.- 90 Little Hell Gtt' l. 100 yards in length,
width Of l6J yards tine greatest width
@U is and the least ltOD, mean depth "a II feet
greatest ~. The bottom ~ irregular and rocky ana tr
current through IL very RAPID. Little Hell Gale III lis
present sjatt j. used except lcrlap. by sd nrhlng
boats, ami 40 necessity exists Tor lts lmlToN cncnt
Harlem Bronx Kills. separating Randlls Island from
tue main land because this cEaur, has been considered
important lttUT certain needed improvements, AS con-
ur,ioli bctTS, the Harlem River and Hell Gate Tor the
service Ui acl> 10 aud from the East Under the pres
regimen. Inc currents through i' passes are q! 10
benefit To the Harlem RIVER ana ~ 1" udal exchange
the lrrIn loses by them the mood and gains the
ehb mat iIg difficult to dcci whether Ire loss l. not
greater tnan the gain But 10 these pOinH-namrly
tire currents and the tldai cXChau:tthc influence
tles, TRIVIAL for good i'll, VIII he onlItcT
ard To- TN" changers consequent upon tie Improvement
OI Hell Gaze and IN" Harlem River