New-York tribune., 1911-03-05
LONGER PIERS FEASIBLE
r. A. c. Smith Says Increased
Length Is Practicable.
MUST RECEIVE OLYMPIC
Declares That Not to Do SO
Would Be Species Of Com
mercial Suicide.

r A c. Smith, who. with Calvin Tom
kins, Commissioner Of Docks, and John A.
Bensel. State Engineer, will represent New
York State at the pier head line hearing
before Secretary Dickinson in Washington
tomorrow. emphasizes yesterday his beiiet
IN the urgent need Of a temporary exten-
sion Of the White Star piers 20 accommo-
dat: the Olympic. Mr.. Smith pointed out
that in no other way could this port pro-
vide adequate facilities for the docking OF
th. huge steamship IN June, when she IS
scheduled 70 arrive. and that 10 refuse 10
receive her would be a species. Of com
mercial suicide.
The principal objection 20 docking the
Olympic st the Chelsea piers as they are
now and allowing her stern 70 extend
siyty-f four feet out into r:hs North River
Mr. Smith. thought. was the danger that
would he encountered in trying to dock an
other steamship either just 10 the north or
Just TO the south Of her.
II the tide Is ebbing an ocean liner must
approach her pier with her nose upriver
and be swung around into her dock on the
point Of the pier When tho tide IS coming
In she must approach her dock from up
be warped in from that position. II, for
instance. the tide were ebbing and the
Olympic. with her stern sticking out into
the stream, lay just south Of an incoming
steamships berth. Mr.. Smith fails to see
/ how the newcomer could be locked without
grave danger Of a collision.
But a man whose home IS the waterfront
and whose business is ships, took issue on
this very point when il was referred 10 him
| later in the afternoon. Given an ebb tide
said he. and tho Olympic's stern interfering
with swinging the stern Of the incoming
liner south at right angle to her
pier line from the port bow could be
made fast TO the end OF the pier just 20
the north, and the docking tugs could hold
the stern OF their charge from swinging
against the Olympic
ITS done every DAY" said the informant
and ships are docked that way without
any difficulty or danger. They'll bring that
ship IN whether they get the Chelsea piers
extended or not You wait and see.
Mr.. Smith referred TO the report on the
subject of the special committee OF the
Chamber Of Commerce, Of which he was
member. as a correct reflection al his own
attitude. This report is strongly In IaVor
CT providing adequate accommodations LOT
. the greatest steamships somewhere alohs
/ the North River front Of Manhattan ana
/ says;
ITO govern our own policy in the future
/ in the matter OF pierhead lines, your COM
mittee is strongly OF the opinion that me
war Department, through its Harbor Line
/ Pcard. the city OF New York. through us
/ 0ock DEPARTMENT. and tho commercial IN
,eres-s Of the port. through its leadlns
commercial bodies. should be represented
I IN q commission to study this subject ana
ronort q definite wise and comprehensive
/ line of action.
.It is possible that such a cohinlssioii
might find on investigation that piers OF
,,,,ria length and capacity could be pro-
/ rided on the North River without the
! lengthening OF the present pierheau my
/ =, which case the accommodation Which IL
| is necessary now to give IN the Ohe'sed 81
! tion would be Of a temporary nature, IN
asmuch as the interest OF the great ooe'i'
/ ehirning would be fully secured by COM
/ prehensive Improvements at SOME o'"1'
/ point on the river.
/ Rut It also says that after the lVl lee1
| have been added TO the White star picrS
"tbe 2G5O feet which would be leE opposite
the chelsea section. at the narroWest part
/ of the North River would III 'he
/ Judgment Of expert nayigators anu piloIS'
J he ample gor safe navigation ana IN Iho
onin3on of your committee the width OF lhe
/ fairwav should be maintained at -'eJ'
/ feet" r.,
I, Is the opinion Of Commissioner TOM
k,rs and also of this committee, however
that steamships more than 800 feet in
length NAV be expected in the not remote
suture Indeed. the report continues:
THE Ambrose Channel will be II suihcieht
aorth and width to admit steamers oil prop
ahiv I no0 20 LEO feet in length, ana we
NAV reasonably expect TO have to prepare
for the future accommodation Of vessels o.
that size .,,,
crcb vessels cannot be docked az he
chelsea riers. even if extended 100 feet ii
icO feet long they couldn't be acccmnlo-
dated at the piers north and south OF the
chelsea section which Commissioner loln-
rtrs * hopeful OF seeing built once lhe
! ratroads have been segregated. The COM
,,,tse,oner frankly admits that II the length
or ocean liners continues 10 increase as il
has in the past, the liners VIII nave 10
dock somewhere else than in Manhattan
! or tho whole scheme Of piers VIII nave 10
Eha abandoned and quays and basins con
structed in their place at great eApeh91
and at a great sacrifice Of Waterfront