New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1897-05-16
NEW.yORK HARBcR IMPROVEMENT
A REPORT ON FEASIBILITY AND COST MADE
BY MAJOR ADAMS


wssh,Aoton Nav IA (specIaD.-The Secretary Of
War has transmitted to the Speaker Of the House
report from Major II. II. Adams Corps OF En-
gneers on proposed improvements OF Bay Ridse
Red Hook and Buttermilk Channels. New-York
Harbor Major Adams recently made survey OF
these channels with view to creating one con-
tinuous channel with a depth of 30 feet at mean
low water for a width OF 1000 feet. or one con-
tinuous channel with depth OF 30 Feet Tor
width of 200 feet Provision for such survey 10
determine the estimated cost Of necessary improve
ments is contained in the River and Harbor act
of last June Major Adams says the natural depths
in Bay Ridge and Red Hook channels were from
seven to twelve feet: through Buttermilk Channel
there was natural depth OF 26 feet but the course
of the channel way was crooked and, on account OF
the rapid current difficult to follow
In 1850 a project adopted for removing part
NJ a shoal at the north end OF Buttermk Channel
10 depth OF &c feet at mean low water
Under authority OF several subsequent acts OF
Congress this project has been extended until II
now includes making a depth Of 26 feet at mean
low water throughout the whole OF THIS eastern
water route.
Maior-GeneraI Adamss repor! continues: THE
object of the present survey Is to obtain an est-
mate Of the cost Of deepening and widening 'hese
channels, first, to depth Of 80 feet at mean low
water with 900 feet width. and second, 10 dep'h
Of 35 feet at low water. with loo feet width
So as the previous dredging to q feet depth In
dicates the material TO be excavated in making
such channels is in Bay Ridge Channel-m ana
sand the lowe: end and sand overaid with mud III
the upper end; in the triangular area ana In Red
Hook Channel, mainly sand; In Buttermlk Chan
ne hard sand and gravel containing some powders
on account of the narrowness of part OF Butter
milk Channel Uhe minimum distance between the
Governors Island sea wall and the established pier
line opposite being 1910 feeO. 1t would be inexped
en-. 10 make a depth of So feet with the full
width Of 12o0 feet and therefore the estimates con.
template a width OF 1lCO feet only at this point.
The estimated cost of making the channels under
consderatio in addition TO the work already done
and provided for under the existing project and
contract is given in the report as follows:
For a channel 80 feet deep at mean low water -. -.
wide. III
Dredging Buttefmilk Channel. 61OW
ontingencies supervision. etc, about 10 per .o>..
i'0'"''
1o,,, estimated 50
For channel 30 feet deep at mean low water a. ma .o
and 200 feet wide. 'S55cWV
Dredging I}uttermilk Channel. l9soooO
c.n ' Observation-Disclosures. 1880
estimated cost. SJ3oOoU
The total commerce at the docks along Bay
Ridge Channel in the calendar year 1896 Is reported
AS III 99g ions valued at fl20f,2l0 The commerce
OF Red Hook Channel during 1885, is reported az
s33 $50 tons The commerce of Buttermilk channel
from the Erie Basin 10 Atlantic-aVo., BROOKLYN
during 1896 IS reported as lj,eo,SS tons, valued at
$5v9 Coz, 800