New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1903-12-03
CITY WILL LOSE ON FERRY
Commissioner HQzCkeS Presents
Plans for Boats and Terminals.

The Sinking Fund Commission met yesterday
Drawings of plans for ferry terminals at the
Battery and StapletoR, st. George ana Fort Iach-
Inond Staten Island, examined They were
by Carrere & Hastings and Smelling & Potter. a
drawing by A. Cary Smith was of a new Terry
boat of the double deck order and similar IN ap-
pearance 20 these of the Pennsylvania railroad
The new ferry il is proposed shall be built and
operated by the city.
Dock Commissioner Hawkes. presented a volumin-
report which indicated that the city could not
operate the ferry without a loss. The report N
part follows:
The cost of the boats designed by Mr. &C., Gary Smith
is estimated be between S365,OOO and $SUOoJ each
Boats OF the design presented, Mr.; cary S1Ilth
Manhattan and St George, Richmond, in an aver
age time of about twenty minutes. l recommend
me authority for the immediate preparati ton of de-
tailed plans and speclheau0ns and roC i9 fop re
In the development of the scheme it found
necessary to include expenditure not previously
considered-namely, that necessary for the Vaduct
minaI and also land in front OF the borough build
ing. All of these additions and changes 6rlnS tne
81 600 or about double the amount originally estl
The plan submitted for the ferry terminal at Port
Richmond provides for ferryhouse, a single sip
{erry brdge and 6 racks 5o aggesans an expenditure
AS to the plan 4eers TO- lG he ' isrB9s
itself this being a modification eliminating entlrely
for the present the recreation pier feature and one
of the terminal building, the construction of an
approach the plan provided and the cutting OF
the total expenditure down to $4,000 including
Assuming the five new boats to cost $185OCoo this
brings the total So 100000 exclusive OF the cost
of land and exclusive Of the cost or rearranglnS
the Whitehall terminal, which cannot be deter
mined upon finally until the acton OF me ely IN
regard to muniCipalizing the Ihirty-nlnth-st
BROOKLYN ferry is known.
Until it is finally determined that the city must
purchase the existing boats. the cost of these can
not he definitely ascertained. The Garrett and the
Castleton have been appraised, however. at Sn2OOo
Oh | an informed.
The estimated cost of operation of the ferry on
the St GeOrge-Whitehall-st route. is s600,OO The
Bureau of Construction has estimated that the
other two ferry routes will cost 100000 q year in
~ s495 SO which would leave a net deficit on
operation for the FIRST year of about 100000 From
this total oaicit should be subtracted a revenue
which NAV ,e obtained from the ST. George ter
minal through rental of privileges, etc, and
through proper trackage charges to the trolley and
steam roads
The proposed lease in connection with the whole
sale fish market. in which the city would rent
booths at Piers Nos II and 49, East River, was
also considered. J. NJ Phelan auditor Of the
Dock Department presented a report IN which he
figured that the city should exact yearly rental
from the Fishmongers' Association and the Whole
sale Fish Exchange OF 500 $50. Members of both
organizations said the figures too high, and
they suggested that yearly rental of $4,000
would be ample.
why can't the wholesale business go until
next year" asked Mr.. Grout and can get
legislation that will enable the city to build a
general fish market where the stalls can be let to
This seemed agreeable 10 J. c. Simmons counsel
for the independents, who said the Controllers
city could make 100000 year from it.
The entire subJect was adjourned until next
consider suggestion from the Controller that a
lease be drawn by the city so that it will enable
the Independents TO bid for space in open competl
ton in the new market.