970 Trans ACTioxs op the American Institute. 



ferry. As one object of tins plan is to draw a line of distinction 

 between the ocean and the sound commerce, this location secures the 

 most natural and suitable division, though it does not prevent a con- 

 venient passage wherever located. 



2d. In construction, the soundings and river-bed on this line, and 

 the channel cross-section, have some advantages. While the channel 

 cross-section is less at any point below the navy yard, and the quanti- 

 ties of material, labor and cost would, therefore, be less. On this 

 line a more convenient arrangement can be made for building the 

 guard-locks and sea-walls, and at the same time keeping open the 

 channel for vessels until completion, since the channel proper is 

 chiefly on the Brooklyn side, and could thus be the last part closed, 

 with less increase of tidal current during construction than on a 

 different channel section ; and, in fact, the guard-locks could be 

 entirely built, fitted for use, and connected with the New York side, 

 without any serious alteration of the conditions of navigation which 

 now exist at full flood and ebb tides, assuming the use of steam tugs 

 for sailing vessels, at times of special need. This occurs from the 

 tidal action here, which produces something like an eddy above the 

 Hook on the New York side, and has never cut out the river bed to 

 any depth for nearly or quite half-way across. In connection with 

 this general subject, a little stud}^ of the East river charts will show 

 that above the Hook, for a long distance, the New York side is shoal, 

 and naturally impracticable for heavy di'aft vessels, the deep water 

 being on the opposite side, where no conmiercial inducements or 

 facilities have been offered to such shipping, which arises partly from 

 the local state of the Brooklyn wharves, but chiefly from the injurious 

 action of the daily tidal currents along that side of the East river. 



3d. This location brings the pier directly in line with the main 

 eastern district avenue of Brooklyn, and that area which requires 

 development, not only in this district, but in the older city, and really 

 controls an area of present and prospective use, on both sides of the 

 river, wliich goes very far toward balancing any present claims of the 

 Fulton ferry line. It also interferes much less with existing ferries. 

 The general plan, however, is independent of this location, and its 

 objects can be attained nearer Blackwell's Island or Fulton Ferry, as 

 circumstances may dictate. 



Cost and Detail Construction. 

 A work of this magnitude, as to character and quantities of mate- 

 rials and work, necessarily involves great cost, and should be estimated 



