New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1904-11-04
END OF OYSTER MARKET.
OcoICs at Beekman-st. and East
RiUer Forced to MoUe.

The famous old oyster market at Beekman-,t
ana the East River 10 untimely end yes
terday When a big dredging machine was pushed
INTO the basin and began shOveIlins the muddy
tom on huge scows For several days little tug
boats have been busy towing out the oyster boats
ana scattering them wherever their owners found a
new berth.
This clearing OF the oyster basin is said DO the
hrst active step toward a new Fulton fish market.
FOR some time the present market has been entirely
too small for the rapidly growing business and the
fuiton Market Association has worked out plans
lot an enlarged market. On Just what scale the
new market Will be built could be learned yes
terday The time when it will be put up depends
somewhat on the city's activity IN building the
new sea wall along the East River front
For fourteen years the basin between the Ash
DOCK at the foot OF Beekman-st. and Pier p has
been the East River headquarters for the oyster
men. They transacted their business small
scows. on which light two story structures we're
erected As the oyster boats in from the
dredging grounds they unloaded directly on the
scoWs The basin was of the sights OF the
waterfront, and the small trade was practically
controlled by the firms that had scows there.
month ago came the first warning that their
position in the basin longer secure A
Board OF Health Inspector complained about the
odor which arose from the basin caused 1t is said
by shallow water and muddy bottom
At this time the Fulton Market Association.
which controls the basin under n lease from the
old estate that stil the property. shifted the
oyster boats and put dredge at work. Only a
few scowloaGs of mud were taken when the
dredge was taken away again and the oyster boats
drifted back into their old berths. and business
went usual
A week ago the Oystermen served with
dispossess notices which gave them only six days
10 get out for good and all There wild
scramble for store on shore, which is
too plentiful in the vicinity OF the market Tugs
took the oyster scows in various directions. w II.
HnIs went 10 Cow Bay, the East River;
-T1tT1 de
F. Howell & Co.'S boat to Canarsle and a number
Of others to Rockaway. Last night but one scow
remained. that of W. Ellsworth Sprague. and that
will be towed TO Rockaway to-day.
The oystermen feel that they have been badly
used by the fish dealers. especially in the matter
of short notice. More less feeling has arisen
between the fish and oyster men as result and a
bitter of words was waged on South-st. all
day yesterday.
''Irs Just like leaving home said one old oyster
man yesterday to a Tribune reporter. We've been
here fourteen years and until lately there was
hint that we'd have to go. Some OF US
employees have lived on the old scOws and they
were the only homes we had In the world. Now
they've towed them away and we're on the beach"
Half n dozen dealers who have not yet succeeded
in finding storeroom transacted their business yes
terday on the bukhead at the outer edge OF the
street. Some OF them put up temporary shelters
in which placed the desks that had been ripped
out of the oyster scows.
I'VE feel that have been badly used, said a
member of the firm OF c. F. Howell & Co yester-
day. as he tried keep books top OF pile.
They wanted an excuse to get rid OF US they
said the Board Of Health complained about the
condition Of the basin. 1t not the oystermen's
fault that the water got foul Our business Is clean
and we have been careful litter up the basin.
The order to move came almost without warning.
Six days Is time in which TO move established
business"
Members of the Fulton Market Association who
were seen by a Tribune reporter were nos disposed
to talk about the proposed improvements They
declared that the time had not arrived to disclose
their plans The slip would be dredged out and
developments after that depended circumstances.
they said
The Health Department complained about the
condition OF the basin, said George Case. OF the
firm Of S. L. Storer & Co, No 16 Fulton Market,
land ii was necessary to dredge 1t out thoroughly
Then the city contemplates certain improvements.
including the widening OF South-st, and thought
1 don't know enough about the plans of the
citation to say Just what will be done, but you
safe in saying that the oystermen are out for good
They have taken stores near here and viii
longer do business on sCows.''
The oyster boats will continue to land their
cargoes at the piers about Beekman and Fulton
SITS Several of the firms have purchased power
boats meet the change in business conditions.
At the Department of Docks a Tribune reporter
told that the city improvements contemplated
involved bulknead wall which would widen South
ST. proper s. feet. give additional 10 feet to
the 1t stands at present. Only small
portion OF the new wall along the River front
completed in the vicinity Of Buring Slip, The city
owns the property which the present Fulton
FISH market stands, and the oyster basin property
is III process of condemnation. The Dock Depart
ment had nothing to do with tho removal OF the
oystermen.