New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1893-06-04
THE GOWANUS CANAL.
VALUABLE WATER FRONT AND WAREHOUSES;
l. 1T INJURIOUS TO HEALTH 7-THoSE
WHO OWN 1T SAY IT IS NOT.


Could you suppose for moment that there is a
little creek in South Brooklyn which. beginning at
Douglas-st. between Bond and Nevins flows In slug
gish silence out into GOwanus Bay and thence INTO the
harbor, wbch discharged last year 14,155 vessels,
having gross tonnage Of over 100000 tons, ana
an aggregate value OF SOB 6O3, $685. and giving occu-
patton 70 about 5000 persons. The vessels We're
freighted with coal brownstone brick. lumber, lime
and building materials principally. so you see the
much deridcd Gowanus Canal and its boats, with
which the so-cailed funny takes such unwarrant-
ed liberties when he wants 10 round out story sup
posed 10 be the embodiment OF rdcue. are not 10 ne
sneercd AT aiter'all.
ANYTHING IKE an exact history OF this piece OF wa
terwav + diicut 10 obtain. Even the average mer-
chant who does business along It's wharves has only
a faint notion OF Just how II began and what II was
before II did begin. You come at last 10 think that,
like Topsy at growcd" In some OF the streets Dor
dcrins in the neighborhood men and women from
Corsica and from Warsaw and from Italy have found
shelter In l.1ge numbers. While the locality is one
OF undoubted commercial importance on account OF
the canal, it Is neither picturesque nor inviting, ana
II yoa should take II into yonr head, having no more
pressing engagement. to stroll down there on tour
Of inspection you are hereby cautioned against I'M
derakng any such journey attired In the same gar
nents which enslrouded the oourly presence OF the
late lament d McGinty when he made his reckless
descent into depths unknown.
AN UNINvITING SPOT.
Dust, Whcw, A trip TO the Windy City ara
bak leaves your clothes and the pores OF your pody
saturated with dust which you cannot shake on Ior
two three DAYS: but after trip 10 GOwahus 'ah"i
ard back you will he blowing coal dust out OF your
nose and rubbing 1t ont Of Your eyes for an en'iio
week. The contest between the sun and the VIII" III
Acsops Fables TO who should succeed first In com
polling the traveller 10 take Of his coat ISN'T CIR
cumstance TO the contest around Cowanus 'al'ai p'
tween the drs OF the coal ana the dust Of the streets
as TO which should outAo the other In making us
own color the prevailing hue in the clothing OF the
unsuspecng wayfarer. At this present writing u IS
a drawn battle. No matter what the shade OF your
clothes honors are about equally divided. II they
black when you 90 there you find you nave u
pepper md salt suit when you away. And " IL
Is white you wore. the same transformation Is effected
What a "snap' the policemen have away down on
the banks Of this sluggish stream.
What IS your salary - OF them was asked
He had lust finished the morning paper and his
dinner which was washed down with grovler' OF
lager beer. and was leaning back. Ills iunic was
unbnttoncd he was putting slowly a, Il cigar. and
would yawn now ana asain he remarked " Thin
cvcnin' papers is always late"
How you pai1l7 said the writer, not wishing
20 offend him by a repetition OF the sa,ie words.
Sit down., said he lazy "wc'll be- dead long
time and the wOrld'l be aithcr us all How am
paid, Well now. 10 tell you the honest truth, I'd
sooner polt shtoncs at that same ioo
take III aelN lCr ui' SdlHc
monsv Look at the condition Of me- clothes
Iook ut me throath An shure. fur that ina,hcr.
look at IN condition OF yer own ciothcs:" There
WAS an emphasis each time Oh the CON- and the
lender tLoughtulness for anothers welfare contained
I'm b,s last inquiry could scarcely be overlooked by
social barbarian let alone wei oTed man.
Eut Won didn't say how
.Oh eleven hunthcIt year" lic seemed ashamed
when he had said this. II 1t were an unwarranted
exnosure NJ his dcsoatc AMI poverty stricken cOndi
ton II YOU were not hardened to the Wild and I'M
feeling conditions of American life. you wOnld enter
tain symputhy for this cxpatrla'cd son Of Erin'
driven over the sea from land OF full and plenty
to do the dirty work OF bridge opening Tor coa ooa's
at the Gownnus Canal on the miserable pl'tahce oi
sl,l00 year.
slow many houis' work each day -"
THE PoLICEMAN's HARD LOT
lilo looked appcalngly Us much as 10 say for
goodness sake don't keep probing the wouhu. i Wy
III I can to forget my hapess fate Finally