The New York herald., 1878-03-04
NAVIGATION OPEN.
The Hudson Free Of Ice to
Poughkeepsie.
A WALK ALONG THE WHARVES.
Statistics of River. and Canal
Openings for Years.

business, Is broken. Indeed, Il may be SAID that
the opening OF river navigation up to Newburg Is
accomplished fact, Tor on Thursday last OF the
regular freight barges began making daily trips TO
Newburg from this city. 1t learned that nearly
all the North River lines ready resume busi-
ness, there being no ice below Poughkeepsis to OBJ
struct navigation. Tho canal boatmen, too are
to take their boats on tho usual routes
and the hustle along the city wharvss Of the North
and East rivers, with the almost total block OF
tho thoroughiarcs adjacent TO the piers, give
very cheerful evidence OF revival O. business
among the shippers In order TO learn the prospects
OF the resumption Of river and harbor business at
earlier date than usual the reporter visited the agents
Of tho river transportation lines owners OF
Sound boats excursion steamers, canal boa.men and
othors.
VIEWS OF TRANSPORTATION MEN.
In Broad street, SOUTH the offices OF tho StarIn
transportation lines situated, aud Il Is by their
tugs barges and steamers that tho great bulk OF
merchandise coming from Europe is transferred TO
the Central cars and despatched TO tho West About
tho opening OF navigation Captain Kinney, OF the
attaches. said d'There is doubt the trade on
the rivers VIII begin this year much earlier usual
although this TACT Will affect our lines az much as
those companies who rely for business on up river
ireights aud return shipments was informed by AN
owner OF line OF tugbsats to Albany that there
difficulty now in running even far Poughkocpso,
but the ice above Pough kecpse TO Albany yet about
eight or ten inches thick, and IL will take good
many hot suns and some strong spring tides before
this can be dlsodgcd."
An attnche OF company owning line OF tugboats
to Albany thought that II was u PITY tue river had
bson closed al ali during the winter, and believed,
with littio extra effort, II might have been kept
open. AS matter not exactly pertinent 10 the main
inquiry the reporter asked about the leo CROP 'rhc
ice men " said the gentleman, shave been making an
ou,cry OF not having secured q fair crop. am In a
condition to know that they have secured about two
thirds tne full average but thero will be attempt
to raise the price to consumers and thon the public
may rest assured the Maine people will rush In their
supplies"
NOVEL IDEA.
An ownor OF several river steamboats,, In the
course OF conversation on the subject Of river nav
cation, said Neither tho people legislators
understand how important 1t is to keep the rivers
opon In winter. So many advantages present them
selves that l am aston,shed the subject has MOI
been seized by some oil our wdeawake young law
yers at Albany. II an appropriation could 10 made
Tor the building OF two powerful Iceboats like those
used In the Delaware River for Keeping that harbor
open In winter 10 tho breakw,ter, am satisfied we
could keep the Hudson ana East rivers comparatively
tree from ice. lhen thousands oil men who Idlu
during the winter and become vagabonds along our
wharves could be supplied with work. OF course tho
Vessels SnOutd nave tremendous hulls DC ronscld
capable OF dashing into beds oi Ice with mpunsty.
have discussed The matter with many old shipping
merchants, aud the only objection near urged against
u IL the opposition which would immediately be
brought 10 bear by the railroads. Navigation closed
for i've or Six months perm the corporations 10 nix
what freight rates they please and the Ice becomes
tncir ally"
THE CANAL BoATNEx.
In the neghbornood vi south Broad streets, on
any lnc day In winter or the early spring time,
there may bu lound two hundred stAlwart zen
who are easily enough recognized canal boatmcn.
When the weather bad the saloons In the neighDOr
hood rather literally patronzed, when the 70
Is meeting oil the Boatman's Association the large
hail s thronged with the MEMBERS VINO conduct tner
AFFAIRS with much good sense aud wisdom, their
fight against the Erie Railway testified. In intervcw-
ing score OF these men the reporter HIT upon some
facts not before published. Captain "Jake" Looms
Was tho spokesman OF group oil about ono dozen
boat owners, and was allowed TO tell his story with
but few Interruptions from his companions. He
said:-"I think the Is quite out OF
the Lower HUDSON There is none the Della
ware and Raritan Canal, where some OF my
the Eric Uanal will be runningf Why, don't believe
before the lst OF May. Tho reason Is, you see,
Canal Board has made no appropriation Tor cleaning
1t out aud, as the whole tn ing IL political joD you
see how workingmcn have to suirsr"
''How do you manage through the long winter sea-
SOM"
''Wcll I'll let you into ittlc secret OF the business
OF course at tho best OF times we nave hnrd fight
for livelihood. Those OF us who get irozc up above
are doLo for, but The most boys manage to get
their boats down here. anu then tney run between
HoboKcn and tho docks on this side carrying cargoes
during tho tor the storage OF potatoes, coal
gram or other commodities"
''ls tins done 10 IA largo extentf"
''CertanIy. DO you that row OF canal boats In
the basin? They are oil loaded with cargoes and the
owners oil the produce are waiting for market or q
chance to snip; and dont you soc II Is very much
TO their advantage to pay tho captains SO 81
h day 10 watch them than 10 sell at sacrifice shut
70 elevators and pay nigh charges for handnog"
"rben these canal boats are just SO many floating
storehouses"
''Yoa've hit 1t exactly" said Captain 'Jake"
y tha t,t,cth
RIVER LINES
Pass pg along the North River the reporter halted
at pier No. 20 aud went board the Doris and rhetis
vessels engaged In the Providence aud stoninglon
trade. There seemed TO he good deal OF freight the
dock awaiting transfer and there OF the spring
htting up observed later on among the lighter craft
The officers othese vessels said their trade mad
interrupted A. all by the ice. At pier No 80 the
steamer Stonngton was visited. At pier No 80 the
Mary Powell was moorod, but one OF those charge
SAID she would not commence running before May l.
rhe CITY OF Lawrence lies at per No, 40; she is a
la &c sidewhee steamer OF the Norwich nne aud has
been repainted and relttod for the spring busness
Tho Plymouth Rock aud other well known excur-
sion boats nave undergone expensive repairs during
the winter ana 1t will oe but very short time before
New Workers will be wooing the gentle oreezcs oil the
ocean on DO ,rd their decks.
Not alone DO our merchants who trade with distant
States look forward to tho opening Of river naviga
ton with great anxiety, as giving them a choice Of
methods OF shipment; bat the thousands who IN tho
season Of sunshine and flowers turn 10 the pleasure
crafts that ply on the waters Of the Sound and the
Hudson regard with the utmost satisfaction the en-
nouncemcnt ,at tho points SO long icc embraced
once moro be visited by them. The country people,
TOO, who during the long winter have been compare
tivey secluded from the metropolis, flock upon tho
wharves OF zach village or city, and salute witu
cheers the appearance OF the first passing vessels
which announces the termination OF tho co blockade
The steam whistles blow, bells ring. flags DIS
played, and those who wish TO realize how great an
event is the stoppage OF first steamer barge at
one OF the Upper Hudson landings would do well to
make trip In order TO enjoy novel phase OF Amer
ican life.
OPENING or HUDSON SINCE $780,
Aa n of curious hcr
with Is appended a tapic showing the dates OF tue
opening OF Hudson River navigation Tor foriy eight
years:
Ysdr Opened. Year. Opened.
1880. March Is 1895 March ~
1881. March l5 1906 10
1882. March rs 1857 March IS