New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1895-08-31
THE MOTT HAVEN CANAL.
HEALTH AUTHORITIES HAVE DECLARED
IT 4 NUISANCE.
OF LITTLE Use TO COMMERCE YET IT REMAINS
MENACE TO THE HEALTH OF THE
NEIGHBORHOOD

The Mott Haven Canal is this summer in as un-
savory and unhealthfui condition ~ In previous
years II has always been object!onao.e 70 persons
living in the district beyond the Harlem River.
FREQUENT complaints have been made to the boara
Of Heath The canal has been declared by 'ns
health authorities be nuisance. and IN an o'-
fetal map OF the district a street taxes the pace
OF the narrow bit of water which resembles dltcn
rather than a cana, Yet. in spite Of the popular
feeling and official condemnation, IT remains an EVIL
dent and disagreeab.e fact
The canal extends from about One-hundred-ani-
thirty-thrd-st 10 e-hundred-ani-torty-sec
st. At the One -hundred-a nd thr.y-egath-st draw
bridge there usually be seen few oun-
gers. gazing lazily rorthward toward the nesd
Of the canal. The muddy water proves suihciehV
inviting for boys who dive from the piers ID
the basin norfn OF the bridge and swim about IN
the thick water. Some old and worn cana boats 10
against the piers. and a few workmen transport
coal or .umbsr to the yards which border the canal
Commerce does not appear TO thrive at some points.
few OF the offices and yards are tightly closed
and signs indicate that they may he sod or ,ease'
on application TO the agent The dlers on the ori1ge
find little to attract them in the .is;iess ife a.ons
the water. and turn to the low vacant lots adj
joining the cana. where children are rompng ana
running to catch the yellow butterflies which swarm
In great numbers around the towering weeds.
South OF the bridge the narrow strip o, water eS-
tends between high sheds used for the storage OK
coal. The water Is dark and the buildings nave
fcrbdding aspect The bridge al One-hundred and
thirty -eighth-st is dilapdated structure ana can
scarcely bear the traffic which crosses it, The troll
leycars from West One-hundred -thirty-nfih-st
cross the canal al this point.
narrow drawbr.dge at one hundred-and- thirty
ffth-st. is even more ancient IN appearance than
the bridge higher up the canal IL connects me
street with the flled-n ground about the new piers
the Harlem Ri!er. The view up and down me
canal from this bridge ia dreary and desolats
than that from places further north along the canal
The only sign OF prosperity is the erection Of some
tall frames for hosting coal from the canal-boats
The canal at this point Is less than twenty iest
wide. and only small canal-boat go further north
The water Is shallow. and oil floats upon It's sur
face and adds TO its unpleasant aspect
The Harlem River runs so close 10 tne
canal that the craft needed for the sman
business carried could well use The
river as the narrow and AT times unhesnh-
full channel called a canal. The persons who suffer
near It's northern end. Complaints have been
made that sickness has resulted among the en-
ployes In large factory from the existence or TINS
Bit OF stagnant water. dam has been built near
One-hundred ard thirty ATHEIST that there Is NOT
even free now OF the tides.
Mott Haven residents were alarmed last winter
by the introduction OF a bill in the Legislature pro.
vidng for the continued existence OF the canal out
the blu was defeated. They hope that this Will be
the last summer in which they Will suffer from Il,
but they fear that the few business men VINO SUI
keep their yards and business houses along ms
etagnant channel will the enactment or legisla'
ton to prevent its abolition.