68 BEPORT OF THE 



always existed at this point to wash a war the shore, but the 

 aggravated and immediate cause is that the Manhattan Com- 

 pany has built out crib and stone piers for breakwaters in 

 front of their premises (which are not essentially necessary for 

 its protection,) these breakwaters arresting and retarding the 

 edge of the strong current that flows at times down the coast 

 from the east and southeast. The momentum of the current, 

 which has had its coast side infringed by these jetties, 

 is deflected in its course against the shore, which, being loose 

 white sand, is readily washed away. This cutting through of 

 the Island to Sheepshead Bay at this point commenced as 

 soon as these obstructions were put there. 



Tradition and records show that twice, near this spot, there 

 has been an inlet to Sheepshead Bay ; once caused by a ship 

 being stranded on the shore, its track closing again on its 

 removal. The inner portion of this inlet may yet be seen, and 

 is known as Sandy Creek. 



As the county may be called upon to protect its property, 

 which is of such great and peculiar value to this whole 

 metropolitan community; and as the taxpayers should be 

 familiar with what is really needed, and aware of what diffi- 

 culties we are confronted with, it would be well, perhaps, 

 before stating the nature of these difficulties, together with the 

 recommendations we have to make, to give a short history of 

 Coney Island and the remarkable changes that have taken 

 place there, as such changes have a direct bearing on- the 

 advisability of taking measures to protect this portion of the 

 county's property. 



Coney Island was discovered in 1527, by Yerazzano. It was 

 visited in 1609 by Henry Hudson, the great navigator. Its 

 Indian name was Narrioch. The original purchase in 1649, 

 of the land from the Carnarsie and Nyack Indians was con- 

 firmed in a patent to Guisbert Op-Dyck. 



In 1661, Op-Dyck sold the Island to Dick DeWolf, who 

 started a salt works there. This was the first manufacturing 

 enterprise in Kings county. 



