New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1896-07-06
BATHERS KEEP THEM AWAY
POOR WOMEN CANNOT BRING THEM
BABES TO THE ATLANTIC DOCK.

DEPRIVED or THE COOL BREEzEs pY HOSTS N
SWIMMERS IN NATURES GARg'-PoILct
FORCE NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.
MENTs PROGRESSING SLOWLY
| Under the old control OF the Atlantic Dock Com
pany when a special police patrolcd the wharvs
and piers OF the basn complaints OF want Of porcs
protection were not infrequent. Gangs used to 'hoh
up" passers-by and force them 20 deliver up moasy
for beer and robberies on canalboats were often ~
ported At that time two policemen OF the docs
squad patroIled the wharves from o'c.ock IN the
morning until Midnight. one man doing the duty the
rest of the night. Many and bitter the hgsu
between the police and the Arch and other gangs
The latter suffered at times. and Policemen John
Stevenson and Robert Roy. Of the Eleventh Pre-.
cnct, were roughly used in some OF these ngh,s.
They gradually got the better OF the toughs some Of
them died In prison. others were sent away and failed
return uAila others died from sheer dissipation
They never worked. and they usually slept aboard
tho feet Of tugboas that tie up In the basin night
never-endng struggle was waged between the
police and the small boy. who wanted 10 80 in swim.
ming. and only liberal application OF rattan kepe
the youngsters subdued.
When the Brooklyn Wharf and Warehouse Com.
pany took hold OF the property. the pciice would have
been abolished had not J. g. T. Sranahan stipulated
that all the employees should be retained for year
at their existing salaries. bill was introduced Ia.
force and since then the basin has been troled By
the men OF the Eleventh Precinct Il forms PARK q
two posts that run back TO Richarcs-st., and 1t 10
said to be out Of the power OF two men 10 the
ground and patrol the Atlantic Dock properly
The piers and wharves have been largely ussd
as a breathing place by tho poorer women ana
children OF the adjoining districts OF the Sixth and
Twelfth wards. The north and south piers AFFORD
a pleasant view OF Governors Island the Upper
Bay lower New-York and the East River Here
was the state Of affairs yesterday afternoon The
southwest slip one-third full OF lumber RATS
used for the rebuilding OF the wharves. On these
wero fully fifty and boys. naked In almost
every case running around the logs or SWIM
ming In the slip within a few yards of the west
central pier.
Another similar but smaller group assem-.
bled at the gap by the north pier. The result
was that women who wished to take their babies
to the north and south piers could not do 60 al.
though there q refreshing breeze from Butter.
milk Channel. more shameless lack OF decency
could not be found In the South Sea islands
CLAMBERED OVER TUGBOATs.
Scores OF youngsters cambered over the tugs
that had board They rang the bells
ard pulled everything that was loose around. On
board the lighters they worked the winches and
swung from the falls and ran Imminent danger OF
Under Elevator A a choice group was assembled
Couple "a boys Engaged ae regular @
with bare knuckles. while men stood around and
Ts sn em On
fered and separated them ~
Is no reason why they should occur II there wero
suEh s to the H ~o pds. Tas :
basin alone, and the men would have their haad.
to think. experienced policemen say. tina! it can
@ as 5 s .pS conSuc oT deter
poor people from obtaining a breath OF fresh air
on sutry evenings
and Bridge-st. 1t is not In human nature for boys
cool water more especially those who. brough, Up
by the water front can swim and dive like seals.
southern end OF the south pier where public
bath Gould be placed In the rapid current thae
suhs e ana oaT i,asr
tenements Of the Sixth Ward.
ON BOARD THE CLAM sLOoPs
feature Of life in the Atlantic dock is the clam.
boats that there dispose OF their cargoes a
toothsome bivalves Covered with an awning. the
deck is reached by ladder. IL the tide Is low On
the roof OF the little sloop cabins. vinegar tomato
catsup and other condiments are placed. The boat
will open the CLAIMS at the rate OF TWO Tor q
cent as fast you can swallow them Occasionally.
but not always. the customer can secure a go OF
gin from a tall earthenware jug 10 settle the ciams
The improvements in the Atlantic dock are pro:
Is finished from tnda Wharf to Wilam-st,. and
around the south pier 70 the elevator on Cil1ton
feet Four spiles are driven across the wharf at
distances OF little more than yara apars "a sh ons
twelve feet apart AS these spiles are fty or sixty
feet long this ss w of ss s the pier
below the gap II will be an extensive one and the
broadening Of the pier begins Just nor,s Oh u e nrac
sssGr to These s rsSpUass
vnaryes, Of which they stand sorely in need
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