S Over Fifty Years of Continuous and Satisfactory Service INCE 1872 the American Dock Company, later in combination with the Pouch Terminal but practically always under the same management or guiding policy, has performed a continuous and wholly satisfactory service in providing warehouse accommodations for the cargoes and docking spaces for the ships utilizing their facilities. Today these terminals are among the most useful and valuable of the assets of the Port of New York, destined in the future without doubt to accommodate a larger shipping and a greater commerce, as Staten Island becomes more firmly knit with the other four boroughs constituting Greater New York. Established in 1872, when the foreign commerce of the Port of New York was valued at little more than onetenth of its value in 1920, and one-fifth of its value in the current year, these terminals have grown with the growth of the port, so that now the American Dock piers and warehouses at Tompkinsville cover a large area, including in pier area accommodations for a dozen ordinary steamships, and the same being true at the Pouch Terminal, at Clifton-there being four piers at American Docks and three at Pouch Terminal. Excellent Location of Pouch Piers and Warehouses The location of these piers and warehouses on the east shore of Staten Island, immediately adjacent to the Quarantine Station where all ships entering the port are obliged to anchor and receive a clean bill of health, constitute the nearest wharfage accommodations to ships entering from sea, being practically at the beginning of the upper or inner end of the Ambrose Channel, which, 40 feet in depth and 2,000 feet in width, gives direct access to the Atlantic Ocean. Eventually, the city of New York will be relieved of the nightmare of furnishing adequate transit facilities for its growing population, and Staten Island will be connected by tunnels and perhaps bridges with Brooklyn on the one side and the mainland of Jersey on the other, unquestionably making the American Dock and Pouch Terminals the most favorably located and most convenient in the port, for transatlantic liners as well as freighters, regular line and transient. Because it is with precisely this expectation in mind, that the city government of New York fifty years after the Pouch interests discovered and began to utilize the advantages of Staten Island's east side waterfront, built a dozen thorough modern piers each a thousand feet long adjoining the piers of the American Dock Co. on the north and those of the Pouch Terminal on the south, thus forming the greatest chain of 1000-foot covered piers to be found anywhere in this country. With direct rail connection, these terminals are able to ship and receive freight to and from the great interior of the United States without lightering or breaking bulk, thereby eliminating delays usually incurred in lightering caused by unfavorable weather conditions. New York's Famous "Cotton Docks" For all of the years that the American Dock and Pouch Terminals have been in operation they have held an intimate relation with the bulk cotton business of the port, and so much has that been so that the American Docks have been known for fifty years as the Cotton Docks and it is a rare thing when large quantities of cotton are not on storage at these modern fireproof sprinkler protected warehouses. As an instance of the progressiveness of these companies, we present views of their tractors which are capable of rendering an ideal service in connection with the movement of freight to or from pier, lighter, warehouse, or car. The haulage ability of these towmotors is almost past belief, and they are a valuable adjunct to the progressive operation of these terminals. Ferry Accommodations-Tunnel Under Construction Access to Manhattan is obtained via the ferry operating between St. George, Staten Island, and the foot of Whitehall Street, Manhattan, where seven of the finest ferryboats in the world are in constant use. Besides, there is the ferry operating between St. George and the foot of 39th Street, Brooklyn, and another between St. George and 69th Street, Brooklyn. Very soon it is intended that a new ferry service shall be established between Stapleton, Staten Island, and Piers 1 and 2, North River, Manhattan. In addition to that, the city of New York is constructing a freight and passenger tunnel under the Narrows, connecting with Brooklyn, that will Cutting labor costs by transferring 30,000 pounds of merchandise from Pier to Store with a single Towmotor AND SHIP NEWS give additional and more frequent access to Brooklyn, and is now doing for this most southerly and westerly and to Manhattan via Brooklyn. Bridges Soon To Be Built The municipal government is by no means Staten Island's only dependence, much as it has recently done View of Tractors or Towmotors now in use at the American Dock and Pouch Terminal piers and warehouses, moving freight with swiftness and economy from pier, lighter, warehouse or car. Larger Panama Pacific Liner Announcement is made by the International Mercantile Marine Company of an increase in the tonnage of the Panama Pacific Line's coast to coast service by the substitution of the steamship Mongolia for the Kroonland. the former having a displacement about 5,000 tons in excess of the latter and about 1,500 tons more dead weight capacity. The shift is to take place in February. After one more voyage in the Hamburg service of the American Line, in which she has been running for the last four years, the Mongolia is to be laid up at New York for reconditioning. The alterations will include instalation of intermediate class passenger accommodations, this having proven successful on the Manchuria in the intercoastal service. Fares in this class are one-half those in first class, and bookings have been very brisk, the low rates being especially attractive to homeseekers and tourists. The Mongolia will make her first trip on the new run from New York to San Francisco February 26. Transaltantic Passenger Travel Steamship passenger travel during the first ten months. of 1924 shows substantial increases in first, second and third class traffic from the United States to Europe, but not sufficient to offset the losses due to restrictions on immigrations, according to reports compiled by the North Atlantic Passenger Conference. The results from January 1 to October 31 show an increase of 62.000 eastbound in all classes over last year, but a decrease of 231,000 in immigration westbound. The only advance in travel in this direction was in first class, with a gain of 5,875. There was a decline of 52,000 in second class and of 180,000 in third class. of its boroughs. At the present time surveys are being completed by the Port of New York Authority for the construction of a bridge connecting the extreme southerly and westerly end of Richmond Borough (Tottenville) with Perth Amboy, New Jersey, the cost of which is variously estimated to run between five and ten million dollars; and the same Authority is also completing a study of a bridge connecting the west side of Staten Island with Elizabethport, New Jersey, pursuant to directions from the legislatures of New York and New Jersey. In the near future there also looms large the undertaking of a bridge or tunnel between the North Shore of Staten Island and Bayonne, New Jersey. All of these additional facilities for the utiliziation of the Staten Island waterfront, and especially the old-established and highly esteemed American Dock and Pouch Terminals, will increase the advantages the users of their docks and warehouses will enjoy. Their Clients Are Their Friends One of the notable things in connection with the development of the American Dock and Pouch Terminals, is the fact that their clients quickly become lasting friends, testimony of which was demonstrated at the company's Fiftieth Anniversary Dinner, a circumstance that helps explain the popularity, local, national and international, of one of the most outstanding of the port's private wharf and warehouse combinations. Sweden's $4,000,000 Canal Two important events in Sweden's shipping world. coming almost coincidentally, are the opening of the new Soedertaelje Canal and the announcement that the Stockholm Free Port is to be transferred to a company under municipal control, a cable from Stockholm announced on Nov. 18. The new Soedertaelje Canal, which has been completed after eight years of work at a cost of $4,000,000 was opened with formal ceremony in the presence of King Gustaf. The canal is a short cut from the Baltic Sea to Lake Maelaren, and is an important part of the Goeta Canal system of inland waterways, "the blue belt of Sweden," which connects Stockholm and Gothenburg. The Free Port of Stockholm, which has been managed by a corporation, is now to be taken over by the city of Stockholm, according to a decision just anpublic appropriation of 5,000,000 kroner, about $1,340. nounced. It was announced at the same time that a 000, would be made in order to enlarge and carry on the activity of the free port. Paris Atlantic Conference Ends A Paris dispatch on Nov. 25 announced that the Atlan tic Conference, composed of representatives of the transAtlantic steamship lines ended that day with the members continuing to observe much secrecy regarding matters discussed. It was understood that the principal business taken up was the perfection of plans for the development of traffic to take the place of diminished emigrant business. Means and methods of encouraging oversea excursions, it was said, were taken up. Other subjects discussed were questions concerning the relation of the different lines with central Europe traffic and passenger rates. AND SHIP NEWS Capt. A. J. Henriques, Successful Shipmaster An All-Round Marine Man of Unusual Experience and Ability CA APTAIN Arthur J. Henriques, American shipmaster, naval officer, superintending engineer, technical adviser of admiralty attorneys, marine surveyor and valuation engineer, is a credit to New York, in which he was born nearly fifty years ago. The son of Dr. A. J. Henriques, educated in New York's public schools, Chappaqua Institute and New York Nautical School, Capt. Henriques made his first voyage as boy before the mast in the ship Loanda, and after spending three years in sailing ships attained the grade of first mate. Subsequently Capt. Henriques served through all the grades on passenger and freight steamers to command rank, including several years' experience as master of harbor craft and coastwise towing vessels. Capt. Henriques has also had three years' experience in the salving of vessels and their cargoes. One of his feats was the towing of the U. S. S. Nero with a large part of her bottom gone from Newport to New York, the Nero being kept afloat by compressed air only. He was an officer in the Spanish-American war; and was assistant aid for amunition on Admiral Usher's staff in charge of amunition supply during the world war, and afterwards served overseas. Captain A. J. Henriques Doing survey work and in charge of reconditioning merchant vessels, including the U. S. S. Imperator, he was also technical adviser to the Judge Advocate. After the war he was superintending engineer in the Army Transport Service; also appraisal engineer for the U. S. Treasury Department, on vessels, shipyards and dry docks. After leaving the Treasury Department Capt. Henriques was for a short time with W. B. Richards & Co., and then went into business for himself at 25 Broadway, as a technical adviser to admiralty attorneys, marine surveyor and valuation engineer, where he now is. Among recent surveys made by Capt. Henriques are included the Vergalia, City of Edinburg, the entire floating equipment of the S. S. Fuel Corporation, steamship Egremont, Princess Matoica (now President Arthur), steamships Paria, Endicott, Finland, Imperator, Arizonian and Santa Rosa. Recent admiralty cases in which Capt. Henriques has been called as an expert witness include Hatching vs. U. S. Shipping Board, Velas vs. U. S. Shipping Board, Drisco vs. Luckenbach, Hart vs. Clyde Line. During the time Capt. Henriques was in the Treasury Department he handled many cases, the more important being the following together with the sum settled for: Eastern Transportation Co., $149,273.91; Bay Ridge Dock Co., $715,810.06; Buffalo Marine Construction Co., $97,564.38; Morse Dry Dock & Repair Co., $2,675,259.20; Union Shipbuilding Co., $1,581,731.26; Gulf Export & Transportation Co., $356,586.03; Atlantic Coast Co., $2,220,523.98; Coastwise Transportation Co., $343,664.78; St. Helens Shipbuilding Co., $43,191.65; Merchant Shipbuilding Co., $1,184,442.71; Taggert Coal Co., $64,167.66; Doane Towboat, $128,000.00; Newcastle Shipbuilding Co., $34,000.00. It should be apparent from this very brief sketch of Capt. Henriques' busy career that he has been a useful citizen and covered a wide area in the marine field. Being now just in his prime, on the sunny side of 50 years, there are probably many years of still greater usefulness ahead of him in the profession he has chosen. Ocean Service Corporation Dinner Practically all of the employees and many of the friends of Ocean Service Corporation participated in the annual dinner given by Capt. J. A. Sullivan to the staff of the Ocean Service Corporation, on board the steamship Cleveland, of the United American Line, at its North River pier on the evening of Saturday, Nov. 29, an occasion when jollity and good cheer reigned. Mr. J. J. Donohue, of the staff of the corporation, was chairman, and Captain Sullivan himself acted as toastmaster, demonstrating anew his many delightful qualities and showing his affectionate regard for "the boys" who help to make the Ocean Service Corporation the success it unquestionably is. Addresses were given by a number of friends, the first of which was that by Mr. Ernest K. Satterlee, President of the Franklin Savings Bank, his topic being "Savings," which he convinced everybody were the basis of comfort and contentment, especially on the "rainy days" which the poet Longfellow has delightfully but none the less truly told us "into each life" must come. "Savings," they learned, keep the wolves from the door, they give character and standing to those possessing them, and are, in sober truth real "friends indeed" in time of need. Many savings bank accounts will be started by the wise, prudent and foresighted members of the staff of Ocean Service Corporation, as a result of that well digested talk. Mr. William S. Chamberlain, manager of the Travelers Insurance Company, spoke on the subject of "Insurance," the benefit of which was later emphasized when each of the 150 employees of Ocean Service Corporation who had served one year with the corporation was presented with a life insurance policy for $1,000 by Captain Sullivan. Naturally, that was the "hit" of the evening. A third speaker was Captain E. C. Tobey, Vice-President of the United American Line, who spoke on general topics. The dinner was in every way a great success. Entertainment was provided by members of the New York Police Glee Club, Jersey City Police Glee Club, and others Members of the entertainment committee deserve mention. mention. They were: E. P. Morris, W. Merz, R. T. McCarthy and W. McCauley. The dinner was thoroughly enjoyed by all present, and during the coming year will frequently prove a theme of pleasant recollection and discussion by the participants, who, one and all, voted Captain Sullivan to be "a jolly good fellow." Manhattan's Daily Vehicular Traffic A traffic count made on May 28 last under the direction of the President of the Borough of Manhattan showed that on that date 195,660 vehicles entered or left the borough between 7 A. M. and 7 P. M. Two New Port Authority Commissioners Erie Canal's Centennial Celebration .. Larger Panama Pacific Liner Transatlantic Passenger Travel Sweden's $4,000,000 Canal Paris Atlantic Conference Ends 12 American Dock and Pouch Terminals at Staten Island. . 13-14 Capt. A. J. Henriques, Successful Shipmaster Ocean Service Corporation Dinner Editorial: The Shipping Board 14 14 14 14 15 We ask our readers to glance through the leading article in this issue of THE PORT OF NEW YORK AND SHIP NEWS on "Manhattan- Hub of the Port of New York," and reflect upon the greatness of the most valuable 22 square miles on earth, and a few of the recorded high spots that contribute to that value. There may come a time when the greatness of Manhattan will be dimmed, by the greater refulgence of its sister boroughs in the city of Greater New York, but that is a time so far distant that none who now read these lines will live to see it, if any one does. It is our judgment that nothing so directly contributes to and sustains Manhattan as the shipping and commerce which find lodgment in the city of which Manhattan is a borough and in the Port of which Manhattan is the Hub. If everything possible is done, officially and privately, to increase our shipping and augment our commerce, the future of New York, and its borough Manhattan, is secure. Let us act on the theory that we can kill the goose that lays our golden eggs and the end will then be merely a matter of time. Our population, our industries, our wealth, and our greatness have their beginning and their greatest sustenance in our shipping and commerce, something that none of those who desire to promote the welfare of the Port of New York, and its great Hub-Manhattan--never can safely forget. The Shipping Board Just as we go to press with this issue we obtained a fleeting glimpse of President Coolidge's annual message to Congress, and note that he desires the transfer to the Emergency Fleet Corporation the whole responsibility of operation of the fleet and other property of the Shipping Board, leaving to the Board itself the duty of determin15 ing certain major policies (not named) which require deliberative action. Of course, Congress itself determines the major policies of the country, and in due course will determine such as are necessary to the healthy and prosperous development of the American Merchant Marine. The Shipping Board may recommend major policies, but it cannot determine them, so that, seemingly, the main business of the Shipping Board, when all things are considered, would be to twiddle its thumbs. Other recommendations of the President with respect to our merchant marine suggest its radical curtailment in foreign trade. We feared it. 17 17 18-22 24, 26 Manhattan Final Argument on Port Differential Hearing. Ship News ... When Buying Marine Insurance New Invention for Removal of Sludge From Tanks.. 30 32 Diesel Ship Inquiries 28 32 J. H. Philbin, manager of ship sales for the Fleet Corporation since contracts were awarded for Disel engine installations, is quoted as saying that recently there have been many inquiries for the purchase of Shipping Board vessels for conversion to motorships. The outlook for sales for this purpose is good, he added. Commenting upon the condition of the laid-up ships, Mr. Philbin said that they are in excellent shape and are not deteriorating. They will be as good ten years hence as at the present, he remarked. The average cost of maintenance of idle vessels is about $1,000 a year, he said. We have given up much space in two successive issues of THE PORT OF NEW YORK AND SHIP NEWS to ocean and rail differentials, of vital interest to all of those having to do with shipping and commerce. We are profoundly convinced that the total abolition of all differentials is the clear pathway to maritime and commercial success, alike for every port of the United States, and that as long as they remain they will be the basis of discord and antagonisms hurtful to the nation's welfare. |