30 RURAL JfEW YORK 



shore-line of Long Island is generally low and flat 

 and does not afford good ports for large vessels. Of 

 course ships may pass on the Sound as well as through 

 the " Narrows " between Long and Staten islands. 

 The partially submerged rock gorge of the Hudson 

 River, with the inundated side channels that form 

 the East and Harlem rivers, make a sheltered port on 

 deep waterways having an unusual length for a 

 single city. At the same time, the low gradient of 

 the upper course of the river with the lack of large 

 tributaries that are active in erosion permit the 

 maintainence of the harbor in first class condition 

 for the largest boats and this is accomplished with 

 the minimum of labor. The largest ocean vessels 

 find ready wharfage in the heart of the Greater New 

 York district and may readily pass many miles up 

 the Hudson River. At the same time, the land- 

 locked harbor guarded across the Narrows by Long 

 and Staten islands affords safe protection from the 

 ocean storms. 



On the Great Lakes the State has a total frontage 

 of approximately 275 miles, one-fourth on Lake Erie 

 and the remainder on Lake Ontario. The elevations 

 of the surface of these lakes above sea level are 573 

 feet and 247 feet respectively. The harbors on either 

 lake are not especially good. Buffalo is the port of 

 entry on the former, Oswego and Rochester on the 

 latter. By means of the Welland Canal across the 

 neck of the province of Ontario, Canada, between the 

 two lakes, large vessels may pass between all the, 

 Great Lakes and out to sea by the northern route 



