958 Transactions of tse American Institute. 



of inhabitants, whicli, with the facilities of the proposed construction, 

 would soon double in numbers ; and the dock improvement in itself 

 would also add many millions of real and taxable property fo thd 

 wealth of the State, besides giving an impetus to trade which would 

 greatly benefit our whole country. 



During the discussion which folldwed four objections wefe raised. 

 jF'irst, that the plan might, if carried into elFect, injuriously obstruct 

 and impede the navigation of East river. Second. That the water 

 in the basins would be likely to fi'eeze up in winter. Third. That 

 the basins would soon fill up with silt, or mud and the out-pourings 

 of sewers ; and Fourth, that on the law of tidal flowages^ a dyke 

 across the East river might injure rather than improve the ocean 

 entrance to our harbor. 



For a few moments let us examine these objections, and see if they 

 are not rather the resfult of fear than of a proper consideration of all 

 the circumstances. 



First, as to the supposed serious obstruction to navigation in the 

 East river. Tlie plan itself by the conveniences it offers, does away 

 with all necessity for ferry-boats in its vicinity ; and for the eastern 

 steamers and a large portion of the sailing vessels to go round into 

 the North river. Thus greatly lessening the number of vessels which 

 are now going on that part of the river. It also gives such facilities 

 to our larger vessels and foreign shipping, with the ocean steamers 

 that they will gladly seek its aid ; and it is evident that not many 

 large vessels will desire to pass uninterruptedly through, except 

 occasionally as now, and when repairs are desired. Of the smaller 

 class, chiefly schooners and sloops in the coal and lumber trade, with 

 spme few others, from best information obtained from Hellgate 

 statistics, a large allowance will be 150 sail for one day. This 

 exceeds very considerably the present average which is not much 

 if any over 100 sail per day. Many of these vessels are bound 

 to, and from the far east, to ports further south, and might 

 just as well go more directly, and outside of Long Island ; but, admit- 

 ting that they must all go through the proposed docks, we have one- 

 half, or seventy-five vessels at each high tide, and three out;lets at 

 each dyke, making twenty-five sail for each outlet, and one and a 

 half to two hours or more at every high tide, in which to put them 

 through. It is easy to see, and our tug-men confirm it, that they 

 can all be put through the first dyke in less than one half of an hour 

 leaving about one and a half hours for any other vessels that may 



