The New York herald., 1879-08-31
STEAM HOPPER BARGES.
Plans of Boats that Can Garry
Garbage to Sea.
THEIR PRACTICAL VALUE DEMONSTRATED
A System that Could Save New York Har-
Dor from Destruction.

Among the many proposals which have been made
for the proper disposition of New Yorks refuse few
plans have found favor in the eyes authorities
because for one reason another they were deemed
impracticable. AT last, however. scheme has como
to light which finds favor in the eyes of those in
power. 1t is known as the chopper steam barge"
The principle Of hopper bottoms has long been in
in Europe. In Dublin. Ireland, those barges
were introduced number of years ago. in order to
enable the authorities to carry the refuse of that
great city beyond the influence OF incoming tides.
At first only one used. but its practical sue
such that number
structed. and finally they completely superseded
the ordinary scows. Immediately factory tor the
manufacturing of hopper barges was established in
England. Already thirty vessels have been con-
structed by this firm. One largo barge was con-
structed on the river Clyde recently and sent to
Adelaide. Australia. Another barge. capable Of
carrying 600 tons Of garbage and reuse is in
of construction for tho Dutch government. From
letters of inquiry to the English manufacturers it
would seem that all the principal maritime cities of
Europe contemplate their for disposing of city
refuse and sewage. Newcastle and Glasgow also use
these barges.
During recent visit to England by Charles II.
Haswell. prominent civil engineer. he was i'm
pressed with the completeness of the hopper system.
with o view OF introducing the method in America.
On his return to New York he made drawings of
hopper bottom steam barges, and submitted these
plans. with accompanying statistics to cost, to
the Board Of Police Commissioners and the Mayor.
They approved Of the method and declared their
readiness to indorse It, at the same time
stating that there not funds enough In
the of the Police Department to pay for
their construction. As the Mayor did not take any
out the work the whole matter allowed to lapse.
Within short time the present Police Commission
and Mayor have had their attention called to Mr..
Haswcl's plans. Mayor Cooper was unqualified in
his commentator Of the hopper system and the
scheme also met with considerable favor In the
Police Department..
A SPECIAL APPROPRIATION NEEDED.
Mayor Cooper and the Police Commissioners are
united in saying that If funds could be procured no
time should be lost in commencing work npon the
construction Of the proposed barges. The Chamber
and although the members recognized the merts Of
the mechanical ideas. the whole scheme was aban-
doned because in their opinion there were no
honest contractors to whom the work could be
intrustod without fear Of jobbery. At present Mr..
Haswell is waiting for definite answer from the
city the adoption Of the systcm II the barges
are capabc Of carrying the garbage out to at q
less cost than 1t now takes to dump 1t In the harbor
the authorities have no excuse to lack Of efficient
methods remedies for the present evil system.
THE yoPPER-BorToM BARGE.
The following diagram Is an accurate representa-
tion Of the proposed steam hopper barge ready for