55th Oonukess, ) HOUSE 0¥ EEPEESENTATIVES. ( Eepoet 
 2d Session. \ \ No. 328, 
 
 CONEY ISLAND CHANNEL, NEW YORK HAEBOE. 
 
 Februaey 1, 1898. — Referred to the House Calendar and ordered to be printed. 
 
 Mr. Hooker, from the Committee on Eivers and Harbors, submitted 
 
 the following 
 
 REPORT. 
 
 [To accompany H. Res. 18.] 
 
 The Committee on Eivers and Harbors, to whom was referred the 
 joint resolution (H. Ees. IS) directing the Secretary of War to submit 
 plans and estimates for dredging Coney Island Channel, New York 
 Harbor, submit the following report: 
 
 Coney Island Channel in its present condition is very narrow and 
 crooked, and is not safe for vessels drawing more than 10 feet of water. 
 
 There passes through the channel daily an average of 18 tows of mud, 
 containing 35,000 cubic yards; 16 tows of cellar dirt, containing 32,000 
 cubic yards; 12 tows of garbage, 4 tows to Barren Island, 4 tows of 
 broken stone and gravel to Eockaway and neighboring places, and at 
 least 25 fisher, oyster, and sand schooners. These tows engage the 
 services of at least 50 towboats, drawing from 8 to 15 feet. In addi- 
 tion, there is an average of 50 passenger steamers per day during the 
 excursion season, carrying about 75,000 people. The value of the 
 property passing through this channel daily aggregates several millions 
 of dollars. 
 
 In consequence of the difBculties of navigating this narrow, shoal, 
 and crooked channel, scows, tugs, and passenger steamers frequently 
 run aground and are damaged. Tows of scows and dumpers are con- 
 stantly going in different directions through and meeting in this chan- 
 nel, this being due to the character of the contents of the scows; for 
 instance, a mud tow goes out on the ebb tide and returns with the flood, 
 while a tow of garbage goes out so as to dump at high water, and 
 returns against the ebb. A large number of vessels are excluded from 
 using this channel on account of its present state, and are obliged to 
 take the East and other channels, which are much longer and more 
 dangerous, causing thereby a great loss of time and a serious risk to 
 property. 
 
 The committee therefore recommend that the joint resolution do pass, 
 after striking out all after the word "channel," in line 8, as the $250 
 asked for is not required. 
 
 O 
 
 SEYMOUR DURST