is 
As a further protection against thieves, the Oyster Growers’ Associa- 
tion recommend the appointment of an Oyster Police, consisting of 
four or six capable and trustworthy men, whose duty it should be to 
patrol the grounds in row*boats—two to each boat—to prevent depre- 
dations and to arrest trespassers. The knowledge that such a force 
is continually employed, watching and protecting the oyster beds, 
will tend greatly to diminish if not entirely to repress thieving. 
What would be the expense of such a police the Commissioners are 
not prepared to say, but they apprehend that it would be so large as 
to be a serious objection to its establishment, at least for the present. 
Some beds have been seriously injured by sediment carried by the 
currents claimed to be formed by the Breakwater off New Haven har- 
bor. The damage is variously estimated; but whatever it may be it 
is sure to be increased as the structure is extended. It is alleged by 
those who are continually employed upon the beds in the neighbor- 
hood, that any increase of the force of the currents tends to scoop 
out the bottom and float the mud over the beds; a very thin deposit 
of which is sufficient to smother the oyster. The Oyster Growers’ 
Association have appointed a committee to consider and report upon 
the subject. The Commissioners have no power in the premises. 
The work of completing the Breakwater is considered of such import- 
ance that it will doubtless be continued and the damage increased. 
The only reasonable hope that the injured oystermen can have seems 
to be that, on a fair presentation of the facts to the government, they 
will be fully compensated for their loss. 
Considerable damage has also been done to the oyster beds, in 
years past, by material dropped from the mud transports on their way 
out of New Haven harbor to their dumping grounds. Last yeara 
law was passed which gives the Commissioners ample power to regu- 
late the place of dumping. In compliance with the requirements 
of this law, upon the written request of parties interested, the Com- 
missioners designated and buoyed out a tract of ground to be used 
for the dumping of all material carried from New Haven harbor, 
which is five miles distant from, and directly south of, Southwest 
Ledge. A particular description of this dumping ground will be 
found in the Engineer’s Report in the Appendix. 
Grounds will be designated and buoyed for dumping purposes off 
other towns along the shore, whenever request is made to the Com- 
missioners according to law. 
In proceeding from New Haven harbor to the dumping grounds, 
the mud transports pass over thousands of acres of oyster beds. 
