Morning journal and courier., 1886-12-03
ABOUT NEW HAVEN HARROR.


 have taken steps to find out what are the reasons why the work on the east breakwater is not progressing, as it is some four months since Congress appropriated $70, 900 for this work. A prominent citizen writes us on the subject as follows: At no time in the his tory of the navigation of Long Island Sound has national work of this nature been more needed than to-day, as is proven this (Wed- nesday) morning by the large fleet of steam and sail vessels, to say nothing of the numer- ous tows of barges which have taken refuge in the harbor, awaiting the next favorable shift of wind to continue their voyage. Any one that has any doubts in regard to New Haven harbor being frequented by vessels seeking refuge should step down to Long wharf or the railroad depot and look for themselves as United States Senator Hawley did, when he saw eiRhty-six steam and sail vessels. as was counted by gentleman who happened to be quiet observer, and which fact must have proved to the Senator that
 our harbor must become 1n tu- ture one of the most important ports for commercial purposes on the east coast of the United States. The east
 breakwater will, it is hoped, be completed
 with the next appropriation, when the west one will be commenced and it is hoped that it will be vigorously pushed to completion as it is the more important of the two and so
 declared by the eminent board of United States engineers, Generals Humphrey, Wright, Newton, Tower and Abbott, whose foresight located these two breakwaters off our port; and to-day millions of value in vessels are through this protection receiving benefit in the way of refuge from the tempestuous weather of the Sound.
 The object of the east breakwater was to create a SCOUT to the channel and give refuge from southeast gale, and it's location was chosen in order to utilize the Southwest ledge by filling over it distance of ], 500 teet and forever get out of the way of navigation this obstruction, which in some places (be- fore the new lighthouse was built upon it) had over it only six feet of water at mean low tide, and this at exactly the entrance of the port The west breakwater, and the most important, will be the most extensive ot the kind on this continent and will give refuge from all gales from the south around to the west southwest and cover an area of five times the capacity of New Haven harbor, besides giving draft of water at low tide of at least thirty feet and thus forming an outer roadstead large enough for the com pined navies of Europe to rendezvous and manauvre in. There will be an entrance at least mile wide to the westward between the west end ton which will be alighthouse) and Oyster river, and three fourths of a mile wide to the southward entrance between the now Southwest ledge lighthouse and the east end of the west breakwater, which will com mence about Luddington Rock. The east entrance will be half mile wide, being be- tween the Spindle and South End. On Adams Fall rock it is proposed to either build a beacon or else remove the rock by means of coffer dam.
 The advantage to commerce by the con struction of this great national work (the two breakwaters) will be immense, and the form ing of a port of refuge off ln the Sound will be great relief to steam and other vessels anDrOachiOo ouP yyharvaS hv Oipht in snow stormss and foggy weather and at low tide with strong west wind when vessels now anchored in the channel swing s'athwart hawse," and often detain our steamers for hours from reaching their docks. By so re- lieving the channel by making safe road stead seaward, not only the harbor naviga- tion is relieved, but vessels and tows of barges bound east and west save great distance by being enabled to make refuge nearer their cours7, from port to port, and often save detention from being caught in crammed roadstead.
 We are delighted to hear from one of our citizens just returned from Washington that Gen. Duane, chief of engineers, will con- tinue the good work started by his prede- cessors and takes great interest in our i'm provement, knowing well the growing re- quirements of New Haven, and anticipating what it's requirements will be hundred years hence, when Long Island Sound shall
 
 of New York. One of the most needed re- quirements at present is a steam whistle on southwest ledge to direct steamers to our port during foggy weather, as the oyster cultivation has of late made a hard sound ings similar to rock or hard sand where formerly it was mud. Fog whistles, such New Haven requires, have been for years used on the English and French coast, and can be heard seaward five miles in moderate weather.
 There is also great need of a lifeboat sta tion near the mouth of the harbor and with proper effort these two valuable additions to our harbor can be made.
 The following petition is signed, as will be observed, by many leading Connecticut men and others and has been forwarded to Congressman Mitchell:
 To the Honorable the Senate and House of Repre-.
 sentatives of the United States in Congress
 The memorial and petition of the subscribers, cit izens of the States of New York, Connecticut and Rhode Island. most respectfully request.
 honorable bodies to comrleIe the topoerap6v % now being carried on by the United States Coast and Geodetc survey on the shore oordeFing nortnWard, on Long Island Sound, within this area and son river to Narragansett bay.
 Your memorialists also represent that as a large viz, near the cities of New York Norwaik, Bridge, port, New Haven, New London ana Stonington, by purpose. that it is or the general interest of the United States for war and commercial purposes that this topography be added to the new chart of Long Island Sound now in process of construction from the recent survey of same.
 Your memorialists therefore pray that your hon. orabe bodies will take this important measure into consideration. And, as in duty bound, your me morialists will ever pray.
 Signed-George F. Holcomb Mayor of New Ha- ven; J. B Beardsley, Henry Sanford, Bridgeport; James D. Dewell, president New Haven Chamber of Commerce; Samuel B. Alger, Bronxville H.; Da- vd A. Hedges, New York city; c. B. Hackley, Blafk Rock, Conn.,; Adam W. Spiess, New York; George H. Townsend, New York; M. F. Tyler, New Haven; M. F. Merritts, Stamford; N.D.Sperry, New Haven; ex-Governor H. B. Bigelow, George Hotch kiss, Charles Herbert Townsend. Charles W. Scran- ton, John c. Hollister, George A. Butler, E. c. Brown, Frank E. Lewis, H. w. Foster Eli Whitney, L. A. English, Thomas R. Trowbrdge, William D. Anderson, c. Mersick, Henry l. Hotchkiss, E. Hayes TrowbrIdge, c. S. Maltby and others.