New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1878-12-11
ENGINEERING WORK AT NETWORK.
EXTRACTS FROM THE REPORT OF GENERAL NEwTOl
"A BREAKWATER OFF TIE HARBoR-SEwTowl
rpy TELEGRAPH To THE TR1suSpl

CREEK.
IBY TELEGRAPH TO THE TRIBuNgi
WASHINGTON, Dec. 10.-The annual report of the
Chief-Engineer contains some interesting informa-
ton in regard to the progress of work under the d-
rection of General Newton in the vicinity of New
York.
The amount of broken rock removed at Haletts
Point during the last fiscal year was 23,258 tons.
In response to a resolution passed by the House
of REPRESENTATIVES during the last session. directing
the Secretary of War report upon needed improve
ments along the south coast Of Long Island be-
tween Rockawav Inlet and Coney Island Point,
General Newton writes
The coasts Of Long Island and OF NewJersey meeting
at the bar at sandy Hook, limit which is
exposed to the severes gales Om the northeast around
10 the sOufh which desOate this coast The line speci-
fed under the resolution is but five and ha miles In
length point OF COney Island 20 ROckaway lu-
let, ard every part Of II being IN TO lmned9te neigh
boThOod the entrance to tire haror OF EewYork Tue
question would naturally arise, what necessity under
such circumstances could there 10 for the construction
OF bIeakwater. Obviously, Yuuder the contingency
when would belong to very severe storm Of the waves
bTeakng on We DT, snG sus tIo PgSsage
The position for breakwater under this aspect OF
things along the portion OF the coast under cOnsldeTa-
ton would be west OF Rockaway inel-in nve iathoms
Of water the line facing the southeast This line would
IL prolonged, nteEect AZ snort distances the shore OF
Long island and SANDY Hook and would thus have It's
TANKS protected from dangerous seas ROckaway Inlet
panied by immense shoals OF moving sand which are
gradually restricting aud may finally obliterate the
living between the uet and COncy Island Point render
ing thereby to fix the location In deeper
water and in exposed petition.
FtTSt-A DreakWatcr along tins section or the coast
will be needed only when the waves break the bar at
Sandy Hook and make run into Now-HOrk bay danger
in possible.
ScOud-Ihc advance OF the inlet and shoals westward
WILL probably Interfere with the future OF the break
wafer the position OF this structure he advanced
into deep water sufficiently far to AVOID such result
The channel leading into ROckaway Inlet Is straight
and maintains considerable depth OF fifteen feet
the bar hich Is amply sufficient for all present and
ward OF the inlet and It's channel cannot be prevented
nevertheless such direction and shape TO TINS channel
can be preserved may he found by experience To &C
company and belong 10 the greatest draught over It's
bar. There IL strong probability that sooner or htef
the inlet will close FOR commercial purposes. and hence
the mode Of improvement should DC inexpensive, as
recommended III the report.
The information TO be obtained and bearing upon the
subjects considered although indicative OF certain gem
eraI results is altogether insufficient for complete So
arising consideration Of tue subject; and further
examinations inteligently directed may largely mOlIy
certain conclusions considered altogether probable
Touching the examination ordered by the House
of Representatives to determine whether any de-
posis have occurred at the piers near the junction
of Newtown Creek and the East River calculated TO
ODstruct navigation, and if so. the probable cost of
removing the same, General Newton reports:
Notwithstanding the fact that funds were granted
with which ~ conduct examination certain hIOrlna
ton not complete. however, had been collected on
which TO base an opinion COMPARISON OF present
well AS considerable sitting up OF the creek, aud the III
ference s tuat this 6imnuton or depth s due 10 re-
claiming lands under water, and thus diminishing the
tidal area The bridge at the foot OF Vernon'aVe' 10