STATE OF NEW YORK REPORT OF THE New York Bay Pollution Commission TO HON. FRANK WAYLAND HIGGINS, GOVERNOR April 30, 1906 Commissioners DANIEL LEWIS, Chairman. Olin H. Landreth George A. Soper Myron S. Falk Louis L. Tribus, Secretary TRANSMITTED TO THE LEGISLATURE MAY 3, 1906 ALBANY BRANDOW PRINTING COMPANY State Legislative PRinteRs 1906 628. 3 N483r 1906 State of New York No. 76. IN ASSEMBLY, MaY 3, 1906. SECOND AND FINAL REPORT OP THE NEW YORK BAY POLLUTION COMMISSION TO FRANK WAYLAND HIGGINS, Governor of the State. STATE OF NEW YORK: Executive Chamber. Albany, May 3, 1906. To the Legislature: I herewith submit the report of the New York Bay Pollution Commission. FRANK W. HIGGINS. New York, April 30, 1906. Hon. Frank Wayland Higgins, Governor, State of New York, Albany, N. Y.: Sir :�Under date March 31, 1905, the New York Bay Pollution Commission presented to yon its report of investigations cairried 978840 4 [Assembly on during the two preceding years concerning the condition of the waters of New York Bay and vicinity, and making certain recommendations. As the presentation of our report was unavoidably delayed until nearly the close of the legislative session; acting on your suggestion, the Legislature continued the life of the commission for another year, and made a small appropriation for its expenses, rather than at that late date taking up the question of authorizing the appointment of a new commission with broader powers, and an appropriation sufficient to cairry on much fui'ther the work begun. With the small sum of money at its command, the commission has been unable to do other than continue in a small way some of the examinations which it felt to be most essential, namely, bacteriological and sanitary examinations of the waters and shores of the harbor. The accompanying report of the sub-committee (Appendix) confirms quite strikingly the conclusions arrived at by the earlier investigations, as reported upon last year, demonstrating still more clearly the need for full study and the earliest possible consideration of the whole question of preventing the further pollution of the waters in question and the ultimate doing away with even the present causes of contamination. Certain objections had been made to the form of the bill which the commission suggested a year ago, so that a new measure has been under consideration for this year's action, similar in its general purport but differing in some special details. The technical journals and the daily press of New York city have given much publicity to the matters reported upon, and commend very fully the work already done and that proposed for the fuLure. The Chamber of Commerce of the State of New York, the Merchants' Association of New York, the Board of No. 76.] 5 Trade and Transportation, the Maritime Association of the Port of New York, the New York Produce Exchange, the City Club, the American Scenic and Historic Preservation Society, the Municipal Engineers of New York City, and other representative bodies have given evidences of being very much alive to the neces^ sity of the case. The status of the New Jersey legislation remains unchanged since our last report, except that a special session of the New Jersey Legislature is likely to be called in September to consider the isubject very fully. There has been so great an interest taken in this matter, that the commission would ask for the printing of an additional edition of its former report, the present one having long since become practically exhausted. It would seem desirable to have such edition made an appendix of this report, so that all tho&e interested in the subject may readily compare this year's results with those formerly presented. Respectfully submitted, NEW YORK BAY POLLUTION COMMISSION, DANIEL LEWIS, Chairman. OL1N H. LANDEETH, GEORGE A. SOPER, MYRON S. FALK, LOUIS L. TRIBUS, Secretary. APPENDIX REPORT ON THE SANITARY CONDITION OF NEW YORK BAY AS SHOWN BY CHEMICAL AND BACTERIOLOGICAL ANALYSES OF THE WATERS AND INSPECTIONS OF THE SHORES. By George A. Soper, Special Committee, April 30, 1906. THE SANITARY CONDITION OF NEW YORK BAY AS SHOWN BY CHEMICAL AND BACTERIOLOGICAL ANALYSES OF THE WATERS AND INSPECTIONS OF THE SHORES. By Commissioner George A. Soper. The sanitary examinations of the waters of New York Bay and vicinity recorded in the first report of the New York Bay Pollution Commission, made May 1, 1905, have since been continued and extended. The conclusion� hitherto reached have been, for the most part, fully confirmed by the studies of the last year. Before undertaking to consider the most recent work of the commission, the more essential of the conclusions already reached may be repeated: (1.) The effects of the present pollution of New York Bay, although not great, are nevertheless measurable. (2.) A careful study of the water in the bay and rivers about New York shows that the sewage of New York City is not promptly flushed out to sea, except during freshets in the Hudson. (3.) It is probable that most of the sewage which enters the bay is disposed of in the bay by animals and plants, chiefly the bacteria, which live in this water. (4.) The drainage which now enters the bay does so in the most favorable manner possible for diffusion; that is, from a large number of outlets situated along an extensive shore line. 10 [Assembly (5.) How much sewage and other organic matter can be emptied into the bay without killing those forms of life which now destroy the sewage and so creating a general nuisance, it is impossible to isay. This is a matter of great importance, but its proper study requires analyses and experiments which have been beyond the reach of this commission. (6.) Compared with fresh water streams or the ocean, New York Bay is not a favorable place for the inoffensive disposal of sewage. (7.) Should the bay become overloaded with sewage, the odors which would arise from it would be particularly offensive. (5.) The total amount of solid matter which now enters the bay with house and street sewage every twenty-four hours is approximately equivalent to 1,047 tons of dry sludge. About one-half of this is organic matter. (9.) Long before a general nuisance is produced, local nuisances will occur, als may be seen at present where sewage and drainage from industrial works empty into still, or comparatively still water in this vicinity. (10) The oyster beds in New York Bay are almost exclusively located on the southeast side of Staten Island and Gravesend Bay, beyond the Narrows. (11.) Most of the oyster and clam beds are now free from dangerous pollution, although there are some on the Staten Island shore near the Narrows and the Kill von Kull, and some in Gravesend Bay, which are nearer sewer outfalls than is proper. (12.) The increasing amount of pollution to which the waters of New York Bay are subject makes it seem only a question of time when oyster culture will be driven from this locality; but No. 76.] 11 with wise and careful protection, a large part of the present oyster grounds can be kept safe for some years to come. (13.) The almost universal custom in this vicinity of " drinking/- that is, bleaching ancl bloating oysters in polluted streams of fresh water, places all shellfish under suspicion of being contaminated. (11.) The pollution of the bay has had no visible effect upon the number of fish caught in the vicinity of New York, although petroleum and other industrial wastes appear to have occasionally affected the iiavor, and consequently the value, of small catches of shad. (15.) The natural increase in population, of New York mid vicinity will, by 1930, probably increase the present amount of pollution about 65 per cent. The principal points of information sought in the recent work of the commission have been�(1) To determine whether the waters of New York Bay were comparatively uniform in quality at all depths, or whether a perfect mixture of the salt water, fresh water and sewage which entered it did not occur; (2) Whether the waters of the East River, Harlem River and Hudson River bore positive evidence of pollution; (3) Whether the supply of oxygen was always sufficient for the oxidation of the organic matter by the bacteria. The analyses have been confined to chemical and bacteriological determinations uniform in character with those recorded in the first report of the commission. The methods of analysis and the ways of expressing the results have been the same. There have been one hundred and fifteen chemical analyses and the 12 [Assembly same number of bacteriological examinatioms. As a rule, samples for chemical and bacteriological analyses were collected simultaneously. The total number of analyses was very small, considering the size of the problem to be studied. The great extent of the harbor and its tributaries and the multiplicity of the conditional of pollution and purification which called for investigation needed far more extensive analytical studies, than the slender means of the commission permitted. The analytic work done thus far should be regarded only as an indication of the great value and meaning which would attach to similar work if carried out on a large scale. It is hoped, if further studies are to> be mavde of the conditions of these waters, that opportunities will be afforded for keeping the harbor andr adjacent waters under adequate observation for at least one full year. Facilities should be provided for the collection and analysis of several thousand samples. The numbers of bacteria found were, in most cases, smaller than would be expected from the results of analyses published by the commission in its first report. The numbers would have been larger had the observations been made in the summer season, for cold exercises a restraining action on the growth and multiplication of bacteria. A sanitary inspection of the shores of the bay was made in order to discover, if possible, whether any visible evidence of pollution by sewage, garbage or other refuse existed there. This inspection yielded unexpectedly interesting and instructive results. No. 76.] 13 A�KESULTS OF BACTERIOLOGICAL ANALYSES. Analyses were made to determine the numbers of bacteria in the waters and, to some extent, their kind. The principal kind looked for was B. coli, an invariable accompaniment of sewage. The examinations for B. coli were made by the "presumptive test," already described in the first report of the New York Bay Pollution Commission, and checked by nieams of a speicial method which has come into regular use at the Mount Prospect laboratory, Brooklyn, N. Y. This method has not yet been published and cannot, consequently, be fully described here. It will be known as the " bile lactose jnethod" and was devised by Mr. D. D. Jackson into whose hands the actual work of the bacteriological and chemical analyses for the commission has been intrusted. 1. BACTERIA AT DIFFERENT DEPTHS IN UPPER NEW YORK BAY. Samples of water were taken for analysis at different depths in upper New York Bay to determine whether there was an appreciable difference in the bacterial condition of the water at the surface and at different points toward the bottom. The results are given in tables 1 and 2. Table i. Results of bacterial analyses of water taken from various points at different depths in Upper New York Bay. The samples were collected from a boat on January 2S, 1906, between 10' :00 a. m. and 3:30 p. m. At Governor'� Island the tide was high at 10:40 a. m. and low at 5:12 p. m. The wind wais north to northwest, with a minimum velocity of 4 miles per hour between noon and 1:00' p. /m. and 13 miles per hour between 3:00 and 4:00 p. m. 14 [Assembly Map No. POINT OF COLLECTION OF SAMPLE. Time. Depth below surface in feet. Bacteria per c.c. Tests for B. Coli. 0.1 I 1.0 1 10 c. c. ) c. c. I c. c. 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 Narrows opposite Fort Hamilton.. Narrows opposite Fort Hamilton. . Narrows opposite Fort Hamilton. . f mile north Robbins Reef........ f mile north Robbins Reef........ f mile north Robbins Reef........ Off Battery and Governor's Island, mid stream................... Off Battery and Governor's Island, mid stream................... Off Battery and Governor's Island, mid stream.................... Off Battery and Governor's Island, mid stream.................... Off Battery and Governor's Island, mid stream.................... Off Battery and Governor's Island, mid stream.................... f mile north Robbins Reef........ f mile north Robbins Reef........ I mile north Robbins Reef........ Narrows....................... Narrows........................ Narrows........................ a. m. 10:00 10:10 10:15 10:53 11:15 10:58 p. m. 2:40 2:30 2:35 2:22 2:38 2:15 3:05 3:57 2:45 3:21 3:24 3:30 5 40 80 5 40 80 at surface 5 20 40 60 80 5 40 80 5 40 80 1,200 270 90 1,730 400 260 3,330 1,540 1,180 730 560 460 2,160 380 260 1,090 810 970 + + + + + 0 + + + 0 + + + Table 2. Results of bacterial analyses of water taken from various points at different depths in Upper New York Bay. The samples were collected from a boat on January 301, 1906, between 11:0O a. m. and 3:40 p. m. High water occurred at Governor's Mand at 12:05 p. m. The wind was south and varied from 10 to lr. miles per hour. Map POINT OF COLLECTION OF SAMPLE. Time. Depth below surface in feet. Bacteria per c.c. Tests FOR B. COLI. No. 0.1 c. c. 1.0 c. c. 10 c. c. 69 70 71 72 73 74 lb 76 Narrows opposite Fort Hamilton. . Narrows opposite Fort Hamilton. . Narrows opposite Fort Hamilton.. Off Battery and Governor's Island, a. m. 11:12 11:05 11:00 p. m. 12:10 m. 12:00 a. m. 11:55 p. m. 12:35 12:30 12:20 3:15 3:10 3:00 3:40 3:32 3:26 5 40 80 5 40 80 5 40 80 5 40 80 5 40 80 220 390 350 1,280 1,055 595 1,510 920 760 1,200 740 540 930 750 420 + 0 + + + + + 0 + + + 0 0 0 0 + + + + + + + + + + + + + 0 + + + + + + + + + + 4- 77 78 79 80 Off Battery and Governor's Island, Off Battery and Governor's Island, Off Battery and Governor's Island, Off Battery and Governor's Island, Off Battery and Governor's Island, 81 82 83 + + No. 76.] 15 Tables 1 and 2 show that the numbers of bacteria were very much larger near the surface than in the water below. The reduction in the numbers with the depth is striking and indicates that most of the -sewage, and other decomposable refuse with which the bacteria were associated, was flowing around at the surface and not mixing uniformly with the water. The tests for B. coli confirm the conclusions which might be derived from a study of th,e numbers of bacteria alone. There were more coli at the top of the water than in the water below. In a very large majority of all the samples examined in the commission's investigations, the presumptive tests for coli have resulted positively. In a few cases they have resulted negatively at depths of GO' feet and over. 2. BACTERIAL CONDITION OF THE GOWANUS CANAL. One of the most polluted arms of the Upper Bay is the Gowanus Canal on the Brooklyn shore. The odors from this canal constitute such a decided nuisance to the people who live and work in its vicinity that the .City of New York has recently let contracts for the construction of pumping engines and a tunnel at an expense of about $275,000 to flush out this odorous canal. In order to obtain an accurate idea of the data which this water would yield on analysis, chemical and bacteriological examinations were made of three samples of the canal water taken from different points between the outlet and the head of the canal. The results are given in table 3. Table 3. Results of chemical and bacterial analyses of water taken from the Gowanus Canal. The samples were taken from a boat at a depth of one foot below the surface on February 3, 190G. 16 [Assembly Map No. POINT OF COLLECTION OF SAMPLE. Free ammonia. Albuminoid ammonia. Chlorine. Bacteria per c.c. Tests for B. Coli. 0.1 c. c. 1.0 c. c. 10 c. c. 84 85 86 Head of Gowanus Canal Below Union Street___ Near Outlet.......... 24.00 5.60 3.40 5.40 2.16 1.26 1,400 5,900 7,450 1,050,000 190,000 100,000 + + + + + + + + According to this table, there was a decided difference between the condition of the water of the canal at different points, but in no case was it satisfactory from a sanitary standpoint. The bacteria were enormously large in number, as were the amounts of free and albuminoid ammonia present. The tests for coli resulted positively in every case. The condition of the Gowanus Canal, as shown by this table, of Bodine Creek and of the Eahway River, as given in table 5, and of the Bronx River, as given in table 6, indicate conditions which should serve as a warning of what the whole bay may become if it is not protected against unlimited pollution in the future. 3. BACTERIA AT DIFFERENT DEPTHS IN THE LOWER BAY AND NARROWS. The bacterial condition of the water of the Lower Bay and Narrows at different depths was investigated to determine whether there was any marked difference in the pollution at points below the surface as compared with the confditioniS at the top. The results are given in table 4. Table 4. Results of bacterial analyses of water taken from various points at different depths in the Lower Bay and Narrows. The samples were collected from a boat on February 17, 1906, between 2:45 p. m. and 4:40 p. m. High water occurred at Sandy No. 76.] 17 Hook at 2:39 p. m., and at Governor's Island at 2:55 p. m. The wind was southwest to south and averaged 6"M> miles per hour. Map No. POINT OF COLLECTION OF SAMPLE. Time. Depth below surface in feet. Bacteria per c. c. Tests FOR B COLI. 0.1 c c 1.0 c. c. 10 c. c 87 88 89 90 Off Norton's Point, Lower Bay..... Off Norton's Point, Lower Bay..... Off Norton's Point, Lower Bay... . Narrows........................ p. m. 3:30 3:00 2:45 4:40 4:25 4:10 5 40 80 5 40 80 1,045 560 225 1,180 545 460 oooooo + 0 0 + + + + + + 91 + 92 Narrows........................ + Table 4 shows that the water near the surface contained several times as many bacteria as the water near the bottom. The numbers of bacteria were not quite as large in the Lower Bay as in the Upper Bay, but the difference was slight. Not so many samples of deep water ais surface water gave positive results in the coli tests. 4. BACTERIA IN UPPER BAY AND LOWER PARTS OF THE EAST AND NORTH RIVERS. In order to obtain further information concerning the bacterial condition of the water in the Upper Bay and lower ends of the Easrt and North rivers, a series of examinations of these w aters wafc made as shown in table 5. Table 5. Results of bacterial analyses of water taken from various points in the Upper Bay and lower ends of the East and North rivers. The samples were collected from a boat on March 2, 1906, between 11:00 a. m. and 5:15 p. m. At Governor's Island high tide occurred at 32:20 p. m., and low tide at 7:10 p. m. The wind wais east and northeast and ranged from 5 to 9 miles per hour. 18 [Assembly Map POINT OF COLLECTION OF SAMPLE. Time. Bacteria per c.c. Tests FOR B . COLI. No. | 0.1 c. c. 1.0 c. c. 10 c. c. 93 Off Bath Beach, Brooklyn................. a. m. 11:00 11:10 11:15 11:25 11:35 11:45 m. 12:00 p. m. 12:10 1:45 1:50 1:55 1:57 2:00 2:05 2:12 2:15 2:20 2:30 2:45 1 2:55 3:10 3:25 3:35 3:40 3:38 I 3:45 1 3:55 3:58 4:00 4:05 4:15 4:20 4:25 4:35 4:40 4:50 5:00 5:05 5:15 12:35 12:30 12:25 12:30 2:15 4,100 3,380 3,100 3,580' 4,670 3,500 3,800 4,900 3,250 3,680 3,200 5,910 6,800 5,120 8,650 7,060 7,480 5,100 5,350 4,300 3,560 3,120 5,410 5,780 7,280 14,100 18,400 12,600 15,300 4,300 10,400 36,800 8,500 270,000 180,000 24,300 16,400 278,000 5,800 11,200 11,500 15,800 8,500 5,800 + + + + + 0 0 4-4-0 4-4-4-0 4-+ 4-4-4-0 0 0 4-4-4-4-+ + + 0 + 4-4-4-+ ' + 4-4-0* 4-4-4-+ 4- 4-4-4-+ + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + + 0 + + + + + 4-+ + + + + 4-+ 4- 94 Head of Lower Bay, off Fort Wadsworth, Narrows............................... 4- 95 96 Off Tompkinsville, Staten Island. /......... -f-4- 97 West end of Kill von Kull................. 4- 98 Off New Brighton, Staten Island, Kill von Kull.................................. 4- 99 Kill von Kull, off Sailors' Snug Harbor, + 100 101 Kill von Kull, off Port Richmond, Staten Northwest Robbins Reef Light............. +� 102 103 Midway between Robbins Reef and Liberty 4- 104 Southwest of Liberty Island............... 4- 105 106 107 Between Liberty Island and Claremont, New Off Ellis Island......................... 4-4-4- 108 4- 109 110 Off Central R. R. of N. J. Docks, N. J...... Off Penn. R. R. Docks, N. J............... 4-4- 111 Off Erie R. R. Docks N.J................ 4- 112 Off D., L. & W. R. R. Docks, N. J......... 4- 113 North of Hoboken, N.J................... 4- 114 Off Weehawken, N. J..................... 4- 115 116 117 Off Pier No. 4, North River, Manhattan..... Off Battery, Manhattan................... 4-4-4- 118 i 119 i 120 121 122 123 Off Pier No. 6, East River, Manhattan....... Off Pier No. 13, East River, Manhattan___ Off Pier No. 20, East River, Manhattan Off Pier No. 23, East River, Brooklyn....... Off Atlantic Docks, Buttermilk Channel, 4-4-4-4-4-4- 124 Off Beards, Erie Basin, Brooklyn......'..... 4- 125 Off Gowanus Bay, Brooklyn............... 4- 126 Off Gowanus and Hamilton ave. Bridge, 4- 127 128 Between Hamilton ave. Bridge and outlet, Off Prince Line Dock, Brooklyn............ 4- 129 130 131 Off Crescent Club, Brooklyn............... 4-4-4- 132 At oyster beds, mouth of Bodine Creek, Port 4- 133 134 Bodine Creek, midway to head at crossing. 4-4- 135 4- 136 + One of the most significant features of table 5 is the large proportion of positive results obtained in the tests for B. colu Nearly every test resulted positively. The numbers of bacteria were comparatively large, in some cases decidedly so. The greatest numbers were contained in samples taken within range of extensive local sources of pollution, such as the Gowanus Oanal No. 76.] 19 and the large sewer which empties from the Brooklyn shore in the neighborhood of 65th street. The East River contained many more bacteria than the North Eiver or the Upper Bay�or even the Staten Island shore, which is one of the most polluted localities which have been investigated. Samples of water were taken from Bodine Creek and the Railway River, which latter empties into the Arthur Kill on the west side of Staten Island, in order to show the conditions of water in which oysters are extensively " drinked" in preparation for the New York market. Both streams were known from previous investigations to be decidedly polluted with sewage. The conditions surrounding Bodine Creek were described in the first report of the Newr York Bay Pollution Commission. The Rahway River receives the sewage of the municipality of Cranford and the sewage of the city of Rahway. The results of these examinations are given in table 5. In view of the known pollution of these two streams, it seems a little curious that the numbers of bacteria were not larger. 5. BACTERIAL CONDITION OF THE LOWER BRONX RIVER. Notwithstanding the fact that some effort has been made to protect the lower part of the Bronx River against sewage pollution, the condition of that stream is far from satisfactory. Samples of water were taken at different points below the dam toward the mouth of the Bronx River with results which are given in table 6. Table 6. Results of chemical and bacterial analyses of water taken from various points in the Bronx River at a depth of one foot below the surface. The samples were collected from a boat on March Si, 1906, between 3:00 and 4:30 p. m. High water 20 [Assembly occurred at Willetf s Point at 3:20 p. m. The wind was northwest and averaged 31 mile$ per hours. (Results (stated in parts per million.) Map No. POINT OF COLLECTION OF SAMPLE. Free ammonia. Albuminoid ammonia. Chlorine. Bacteria per c.c. Tests for B. Colt. 0.1 c. c. 0.1 c. c. 10 c. c. 137 138 139 140 Bronx River, below dam.......... Bronx River, at mouth Bronx River, between mouth and Hunts Bronx River, off Hunts .300 .310 .250 .240 .250 .340 .530 .260 50 5,200 6,600 13,500 14,800 9,500 7,200 3,400 4-+ + + + + + + + + + + Note:�The following figures give the number of cubic centimeters of dissolved oxygen per litre found in these samples: No. 137, 8.62 c.c. oxygen; No. 138, 9.28 c.c. oxygen; No; 139, 7.07 c.c. oxygen; No. 140, 9.61 c.c. oxygen. The numbers of bacteria given in this table show diminishing pollution a,s the river approaches its mouth. From the dam to the mouth of the river the reduction in the numbers of bacteria was decided. The differences in the amounts of free and albuminoid ammonia were not so noticeable, but there was a progresisive reduction in the free ammonia which confirms the bacterial results. It is interesting to note that all of the tests for B. coli gave positive results. 6. BAOTEEIA IN THE RIVEES SUEBOUNDING MANHATTAN ISLAND. A series of analyses was made to determine the bacterial condition of the Hudson, East and Harlem rivers. The results of these examinations are given in table 7. Table 7. Results of bacterial analyses of water taken from various points in the waters surrounding Manhattan Island. The samples were collected from a boat on April 1, 1906, between 9:55 a. m. and 3:05 p. in., at a depth of one foot below the surface, Ml^s* otherwise indicated. High water occurred at Governor's No. 76.] 21 Island at 12:30 p. m. The tide was low at Governor's Island at 7 :16 a. inv and at TVillett's Point at 10:13 a. m. The wind vpas northwest and ranged from 17 to 32 miles per hour. Tests FOR B Coli. Map POINT OF COLLECTION OF SAMPLE. Time. Bacteria per c.c. No. 0.1 c. c 1.0 c c. 10 c.c. 141 Hudson River, opposite Spuyten Duyvil. . . p. m. 12:42 3,550 + + + 142 Hudson River, north of Fort Washington Point............................ 12:50 2,230 + + + 143 Hudson River, south of Fort Washington Point.............. .....' . 1:05 2,310 � + + + 144 Hudson River, off Grant's tomb, bottom..... 1:15 3,210 + + + 145 Hudson River, off Grant's tomb, surface... . 1:20 2,640 0 + + 146 Hudson River, off West 80th Street........ 2:45 2,900 + + + 147 Hudson River, off West 40th Street...... 3:05 4,680 + + + 148 East River, off Battery, bottom......... a. Kyi. 9:55 4,280 + + + 149 East River, off Battery, surface........ 10:00 6,250 + + + 150 10:05 4,410 + + -F 151 10:10 8,460 + + + 152 East River, below Blackwell's Island, bottom 10:40 8,320 + + + 153 East River, below Blackwell's Island, surface. 10:45 8,940 + + + 154 11:05 9,130 + + + 155 East River, off Randall's Island.......' . 11:20 8,740 + + + 156 Harlem River, first bridge. . 11:30 7,200 + + + 157 Harlem River, third bridge. 11:35 3,640 + + + 158 Harlem River, fifth bridge, Madison avenue : 11:40 3,260 + + + 159 Harlem River, seventh bridge....... 11:45 2,970 0 + + 160 Harlem River, Highbridge, bottom. 11:50 2,760 0 0 + 161 Harlem River, Highbridge, surface....... 11:55 3,530 + + + 162 Harlem River, above Washington bridge.. . p. TYl. 12:05 3,675 0 + + 163 Harlem River, opposite N. Y. University.. . 12:15 1,680 0 0 + 164 Harlem River, Broadway bridge....... 12:25 2,400 + + + 165 Harlem River, bend of river between last two bridges..................... 12:35 2,310 0 > 0 0 166 Harlem River, N. Y. Central bridge........ 12:40 2,340 0 0 0 Nearly all of the samples recorded in the foregoing table gave positive results in the presumptive test for B. coli. The only exception was in water from the Harlem Eiver. The condition of the Harlem appears to have been much better than either that of the East or Hudson Eiver, although the numbers of bacteria were in no ca.se low, considering the season of the year when the samples were collected. The East River was decidedly more polluted than either the Hudson or Harlem. The average of the numbers of bacteria was more than twice as high in the East River as in the other two rivers. The water near the bottom of the East River near the Battery contained about as many bacteria as the water at the surface at this point. 22 [Assembly The Hudson from its junction with the Harlem to 40th street was, like'the East Elver, decidedly polluted. B�RESULTS OF CHEMICAL ANALYSES. 1. CHEMICAL CONDITION OF WATER FEOM DIFFERENT DEPTHS IN THE UPPER BAY. Samples of water from different depths at points between the Battery and the Narrow� were analyzed chemically to determine whether the evidence so obtained would show any difference in the conditions. The results are given in tables 8 and 9. Table 8. Results of chemical analyses of" water taken from various points at different depths in Upper New York Bay. The samples were collected from a boat on January 28, 190!6, between 10:00 a,, m. and 3:30 p. m. At Governor's Island the tide was high at 10:40 a. m., and low at 5:12 p. m. The wind was north to northwest with a minimum velocity of 4 miles per hour between noon sand 1:0'0 p. m.? and 13 miles per hour between 3:00 and 4 :00 p. m. (Results stated in parts per million). Map No. POINT OF COLLECTION OF SAMPLE. Time. Depth below surface in feet. Free ammonia. Albuminoid ammonia. Chlorine. a. m. 51 Narrows opposite Fort Hamilton.. . 10:00 5 .182 .192 10,650 52 Narrows opposite Fort Hamilton.. 10:10 40 .158 .162 12,600 53 Narrows opposite Fort Hamilton.. 10:15 80 .152 .160 14,600 54 10:53 5 .196 .136 8,800 55 11:15 40 .178 .150 12,600 56 10:58 80 ,186 .168 12,400 57 Off Battery and Governor's Island, p. m. mid stream.............. 2:40 * 9,700 58 Off Battery and Governor's Island, mid stream.......... 2:30 5 .300 .224 10,200 59 Off Battery and Governor's Island, mid stream............. 2:35 20 10,900 60 Off Battery and Governor's Island, mid stream. ............ 2:22 40 .180 .164 11,700 61 Off Battery and Governor's Island, mid stream............ 2:38 60 12,800 62 Off Battery and Governor's Island, mid stream............. 2:15 80 .174 .210 12,900 63 f- mile north Robbins Reef....... 3:05 5 .222 .146 9,100 64 3:57 40 .254 .142 13,100 65 2:45 80 .160 .140 13,200 66 3:21 5 .206 .150 9,400 67 Narrows....................... 3:24 3:30 40 80 .210 .214 .168 .276 10,000 68 12,800 *At surface. No. 76.] 23 Table 9. Results of chemical analyses of water taken from various points at different depths in Upper New York Bay. The samples were collected from a boat on January 30, 190G, between 11:00 a. m. and 8:40 p. m. High water occurred at Governor's Island at 12:05 p. m. The wind wa,s south and varied from 10 to 15 miles per hour. (Results stated in parts per million). Map No. POINT OP COLLECTION OF SAMPLE. Time. Depth below surface in feet. Free ammonia. Albuminoid ammonia. a. m. 11:12 11:05 | 11:00 5 40 80 .186 .144 .126 .126 p. m. 12:10 5 .264 .134 m. 12:00 40 .186 .156 a. m. 11:55 80 .156 .174 p. m. 12:35 5 .194 .156 12:30 40 .168 .146 12:20 80 .150 .146 3:15 5 ' .220 .146 3:10 40 .140 .134 3:00 3:40 3:32 3:26 80 5 40 80 .142 .190 .156 .154 .144 .134 .146 .152 Chlorine. 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 Narrows opposite Fort Hamilton., Narrows opposite Fort Hamilton.., Narrows opposite Fort Hamilton., f mile north Robbins Reef., f mile north Robbins Reef., f mile north Robbins Reef.. Off Battery and Governor's Island, mid stream........ ......... Off Battery and Governor's Island, mid stream................ Off Battery and Governor's Island, mid stream.................. Off Battery and Governor's Island, mid stream..... ............ Off Battery and Governor's Island, mid stream............... Off Battery and Governor's Island, mid stream............. . . . . f mile north Robbins Reef........ f mile north Robbins Reef........ I mile north Robbins Reef.......'. 10,900 13,700 14,500 10,500 11,700 12,800 7,600 11,600 12,700 9,100 13,100 13,200 10,400 12,400 12,500 The analyses recorded in these two tables show that there was a reduction in the amount of albuminoid and free ammonia in the water as the depth from the surface increased. In some cases this difference was very decided: in others it was less marked. An average of all the results indicates that the water near the surface was much more polluted than the water below. It is interesting to observe in this table that the chlorine invariably increased with the depth, showing that there was a larger percentage of sea water at the bottom than at the surface. Reasons for believing that this was the caise were given in the first report of the New York Bay Pollution Commission. 24 [Assembly 2. CHEMICAL CONDITION OF THE WATER AT DIFFERENT DEPTHS IN THE LOWER BAY AND NARROWS. In order to show the difference in the amount of pollution which might exist in the water at different depths in the Lower Bay, a series of samples was collected near Coney Island' and the Narrows. The results are given in table 10. Table io. Results of chemical analyses of water taken at various points at different depths in the Lower Bay and Narrows. The samples were collected from a boat on February 17, 1906, between 2:45 and 4:40 p. m. High water occurred at Sandy Hook at 2:39 p. m., and at Governor's Island at 2:55 p. m. The wind was southwest to south and averaged 6% miles per hour. (Results stated in parts per million.) Map No. POINT OF COLLECTION OF SAMPLE. Time. Depth below surface in feet Free ammonia. Albuminoid ammonia. Chlorine. 87 88 89 90 Narrows....................... p. m. 3:30 3:00 2:45 4:40 4:25 4:10 5 40 80 5 40 80 .250 .200 .290 .260 .190 .275 .275 .180 .290 .260 .190 .275 12,500 15,300 15,500 12,800 91 92 14,400 14,800 Table 10 shows that the extent of the pollution did not? in this case, vary inversely as the depth. There were larger amounts of free and albuminoid ammonia near the .surface and at the bottom than in the middle. These differences were marked. It appeared that ia stratum of water containing more sewage than was found in the Upper Bay lay at the top and bottom, while the water between was in a somewhat less contaminated condition. The chlorine results show that the water was considerably Salter at the bottom than at the top. No. 76.] 25 These chemical conditions formed an exception to the rule which had been observed thus far, that is, that there was more sewage at the surface than below. 3. CHEMICAL CONDITION OF WATER OF NEW YORK BAY AND LOWER ENDS OF EAST AND NORTH RIVERS. Siamples of water were taken at different points in the vicinity of the Upper Bay and analyzed chemically with the results given in table 11. Table n. Results of chemical analyses of water taken from various points in the Upper Bay and lower ends of the East and North rivers. The samples were collected from a boat on March 2, 1906, between 11:00 a. m. and 5:15 p. m. At Governor's Island high water occurred at 12:20 p.m., and low water at 7:10 p. m. The wind wTas east and northeast and ranged from 5 to 9 miles per hour. (Results stated in parts per million.) Free Albu- Map POINT OF COLLECTION OF SAMPLE. Time. am- minoid Chlorine. No. monia. ammonia. a. m. 93 Off Bath Beach, Brooklyn................. 11:00 10,000 94 Head of Lower Bay, off Fort Wadsworth 11:10 9,600 95 11:15 6,700 96 Off Tompkinsville, Staten Island........... 11:25 11:35 .890 .380 .260 .200 6,500 97 7,100 98 Off New Brighton, Staten Island, Kill von Kull........................ 11:45 7,000 99 Kill von Kull, off Sailors' Snug Harbor, m. 12:00 7,100 100 Kill von Kull, off Port Richmond, Staten p. m. 12:10 .270 .250 7,600 101 Northwest Robins Reef Light............ 1:45 .340 .210 6,600 102 1:50 6,300 103 1:57 .340 . 190 5,300 104 Midway between Robbins Reef and Liberty 1:55 6,900 105 Between Liberty Island and Claremont, N. J.. 2:00 5,700 106 Between Ellis Island and Liberty Island.. . . 2:05 6,000 107 Off Ellis Island..................... 2:12 5,700 108 2:15 .370 .220 6,000 109 2:20 .400 .210 6,700 110 2:30 6,200 111 Off Erie R. R. Docks, N. J.............. 2:45 6,000 112 Off D., L. & W. R. R. Docks, N. J........ 2:55 .330 .240 5,200 113 3:10 5,100 114 3:25 .330 .260 4,800 26 [Assembly Map No. POINT OF COLLECTION OF SAMPLE. Free Albu- Time. am- minoid monia ammonia. p. m. 3:35 3:40 3:38 .360 .280 3:45 3:55 .410 .240 3:58 .370 .210 4:00 .520 .400 4:05 1 4:15 .400 .250* 1 4:20 4:25 .740 .350 4:35 7.000 1.110 4:40 4:50 5:00 5:05 3.700 i.430 5:15 12:35 ' .270 .260 12:30 .460 .240 12:35 .400 .280 12:30 .380 .320 1 2:15 .270 .310 Chlorine. 115 116 117 118 119 120 121 122 123 124 125 126 127 128 129 130 131 132 133 134 135 136 Off American Line Dock, mid stream....... Off Pier No. 4, North River, Manhattan___ Off Battery, Manhattan................... Off Pier No. 6, East River, Manhattan...... Off Pier No. 13, East River, Manhattan..... Off Pier No. 20, East River, Manhattan..... Off Pier No. 28, East River, Manhattan..... Off Pier No. 23, East River, Brooklyn...... Off Atlantic Docks, Buttermilk Channel, Brooklyn............................. Off Beards, Erie Basin, Brooklyn.......... Off Gowanus Bay, Brooklyn.............. Off Gowanus and Hamilton ave. bridge, Brooklyn............................. Between Hamilton ave. bridge and outlet,] Brooklyn ...................... Off Prince Line Dock, Brooklyn....... Off 56th street, Brooklyn............ Off 65th St., near sewer, Brooklyn..... Off Crescent Club, Brooklyn.......... At oyster beds mouth of Bodine Creek, Port] Richmond......................... Bodine Creek, midway to head at crossing. Bodine Creek, upper end............... Rahway River, N. J., below sewer outlet.. Rahway River, N. J., over oyster beds.... 7,000 7,500 8,300 8,400 8,600 8,600 8,400 8,600 8,600 8,600 8,600 6,800 8,500 8,400 7,900 6,500 8,000 5,000 2,000 490 6 240 On the occasion when the samples were collected for table 11, there was a larger amount of sewage in the water than had been observed previously. Some of the samples*, although not collected near obvious sources of pollution, contained relatively large amounts of free ammonia. The water in the lower end of the East River was notable in this respect. 4. CHEMICAL CONDITION OF THE WATERS OF THE RIVERS SURROUNDING MANHATTAN ISLAND. Samples of water taken from the East River, Harlem River and Hudson River were analyzed chemically with the results given in table 12. Table 12. Results of chemical analyses of water taken from various points in the waters surrounding Manhattan Island. The samples were collected from a boat at a depth of one foot below the surface, unless otherwise indicated, on April 1, 1906, between 9:55 a. m. and 3:05 p. m. High water occurred at Governor's No. 76.] 27 Island at 12:30 p. m. The tide was low at Governor's Island at 7:16 a. m., and at Willett's Toint at 10:13 a. m. The wind was northwest and ranged from 17 to 32 miles per hour. (Eesults stated in parts per million.) Map No. POINT OF COLLECTION OF SAMPLE. Free Albu- Time. am- minoid monia. ammonia. p. m. 12:42 .150 .220 12:50 .190 .210 1:05 .150 .190 1:15 .250 .240 1 1:20 .230 .300 2:45 .170 .250 3:05 .260 .250 a. m. ! 9:55 .310 .270 1 10:00 .320 .270 | 10:05 i 10:10 .490 .320 i 10:40 .380 .290 10:45 .500 .360 i 11:05 .360 .370 11:20 .870 .720 11:30 .410 .450 11:35 11:40 .330 .320 11:45 11:50 .170 .220 11:55 .270 .250 p. m. 12:05 12:15 12:25 .140 .230 12:35 12:40 .250 .i70 Chlorine. 141 142 143 144 145 146 147 148 149 150 151 152 153 154 155 156 157 158 159 160 161 162 163 164 165 166 Hudson River, opposite Spuyten Duyyil... . Hudson River, north of Fort Washington Point............................... Hudson River, south of Fort Washington Point............................ Hudson River, off Grant's tomb, bottom Hudson River, off Grant's tomb, surface. Hudson River, off West 80th street...... Hudson River, off West 40th street----- East River, off Battery, bottom........ East River, off Battery, surface........ East River, off Pier No. 15........... East River, under Manhattan bridge. . East River, below Blackwell's Island, bottom East River, below BlackwelTs Island, surface East River, above BlackwelFs Island........ East River, off Randall's Island............ Harlem River, first bridge................. Harlem River, third bridge.............. Harlem River, fifth bridge, Madison ave. .. . Harlem River, seventh bridge........ Harlem River, Highbridge, bottom........ Harlem River, Highbridge, surface......... Harlem River, above Washington bridge.... Harlem River, opposite N. Y. University... . Harlem River, Broadway bridge......... Harlem River, bend of river between last two bridges.............. ,......... Harlem River, N. Y. Central bridge........ 290 250 810 7,700 .510 990 1,150 11,800 6,100 4,800 9,600 11,900 10,900 12,300 10,900 8,700 7,800 7,100 4,300 1,400 1,300 900 800 650 600 600 The water of the East Eiver contained, on an average, more free and albuminoid ammonia than the waters of the Hudson or Harlem rivers. It was, therefore, decidedly more polluted. There wa s little difference between the water at the surface and at the bottom, so fsir as the ammonias indicated. There was much more sea water in the East Eiver than in the Hudson or Harlem rivers. The condition of the Harlem Eiver, as indicated by these analyses, wras not far different from that of the Hudson. The results of the determinations of chlorine show that the Hudson Eiver was comparatively fresh as far south as the middle " of Manhattan Island, except at the bottom. There was much more salt water near the bottom than at the top. A sample collected near the bottom, off Grant's Tomb, contained about thirteen times 28 [Assembly as much chlorine as the average of the surface samples above 40th street. Off the Battery there was nearly twice as much sea water at the bottom as at the top. There was a steady decrease in the amount of salt water in the Harlem Kiver from the East Biver to the Hudson. 4. AMOUNT OF OXYGEN FOUND IN THE WATEES OF NEW YOBK BAY AND VICINITY. Inasmuch as the digestion of sewiage in the tidal waters about New York depends largely upon their supply of oxygen, a series of analyses was made to determine whether these waters contained as much oxygen as they should have. Tables 13, 14 and 15 give the results of the oxygen determinations at different depths in the waters of the Upper and Lower bays. Table 13. Results of analyses p� water for oxygen taken from various points at different depths in Upper New York Bay. The samples were collected from a boat on January 28, 1906, between 10:00 a. m. and 3:30 p. m. At Governor's Island the tide was high at 10 :40 a. in., and low at 5:12 p. m. The wind was north to northwest with a minimum velocity of 4 miles per hour, between noon and 1:00 p. m., and 13 miles per hour between 3:0O and 4:00 p. m. (Besults stated in cubic centimeters of oxygen per litre of water.) Map No. POINT OF COLLECTION OF SAMPLE. Time. Depth below surface in feet. Oxygen. 51 51 53 54 58 63 65 66 Narrows opposite Fort Hamilton............. Off Battery and Governor's Island, mid stream...... a. m. 10:00 10:10 10:15 10:53 p. m. 2:30 3:05 2:45 3:21 5 40 80 5 v 5 5 80 5 6 49 7.14 6.27 7.45 7.24 7.68 7.15 7.47 No. 76.] 29 Table 14. Results of analyses of water for oxygen taken from various points at different depthsin Upper New York Bay. The samples were collected from a boat on January 30, 190G, between 11:00 a. m. and 3:40 p. m. High water occurred at Governor's Island at 12:05 p. m. The wind was south and varied from 10 Map No. POINT OF COLLECTION OF SAMPLE. Depth Time. below surface in feet. a. m. 11:12 5 11:05 40 11:00 80 p. m. 12:10 5 p. m. 12:35 5 3:15 5 3:40 5 Oxygen. 69 70 71 72 75 78 81 Narrows opposite Fort Hamilton............. Narrows opposite Fort Hamilton........... Narrows opposite Fort Hamilton............. f mile north Robbins Reef................... Off Battery and Governor's Island, mid stream. Off Battery and Governor's Island, mid stream. I mile north Robbins Reef................ 8.82 7.31 7.16 9.19 8.51 8.63 7.38 to 15 miles per hour. (Eesults stated in cubic centimeters of oxygen per litre of wa*er.) Table 15. Results of analyses of water for oxygen taken from various points at different depths in the Lower Bay and Narrows. The samples were collected from a boat on February 17, 1906, between 2:45 p. m. iand 4:40 p. m. High water occurred at Sandy Hook at 2:39 p. m.? and at Governor's Island at 2:55 p. m. The wind was southwest to south and averaged 6y2 miles per hour. (Eesults stated in cubic centimeters of oxygen per litre of water.) Map No. POINT OF COLLECTION OF SAMPLE. Time. Depth below surface in feet. Oxygen. 87 p. m. 3:30 3:00 2:45 4:40 4:25 4:10 5 40 80 5 40 80 7.16 88 Off Norton's Point, lower bay..;................... 7.46 89 8.13 90 6.71 91 7.68 92 6.86 30 [Assembly The three foregoing tables show that there wa.s always enough oxygen in the water to insure a sufficient supply for the bacteria of decomposition. Under such circumstance no offensive odors would be formed by them. In many cases the amount of oxygen increaised with the depth. Samples taken near the surface usually did not have as much oxygen ais samples from below. This wa,s contrary to what might have been expected and seems to show that the disproportionately large numbers of bacteria of decomposition which exist near the surface consume enough of the oxygen to visibly reduce its amount. Oxygen determinations were also made of samples of water collected at the surface at a number of other points in the vicinity of New York. The results are given in tables 16 and 17. Table 16. Results of analyses of water for oxygen taken from various points in the Upper Bay and lower ends of the East and North rivers. The samples were collected from a boat on March 2? 1906, between 11:25 a. m. and 5:05 p. m. At Governor's Island high water occurred at 12:20 p. m.? and low water at 7 :10 p. m. The wind was east and noi-theast and ranged from 5 to 9 miles per hour. (Kesults .stated in cubic centimeters of oxygen per litre of water.) Map No. 97 100 107 113 114 121 123 125 126 130 134 POINT OF COLLECTION OF SAMPLE. Time. Oxygen. Off Tompkinsville, Staten Island................ West end of Kill von KulL................... Kill von Kull, off Port Richmond, Staten Island.. Off Ellis Island............................... North of Hoboken, N. J........................ Off Weehawkeu, N. J.....................*..... Off Pier No. 28, East River, Manhattan.......... Off Atlantic Docks, Buttermilk Channel, Brooklyn Off Gowanus Bay, Brooklyn.................... Off Gowanus and Hamilton ave. bridge, Brooklyn. Off 65th st., near sewer, Brooklyn............... Bodine Creek, upper end....................... a. m. 11:25 7.94 11:35 7.52 p. m. 12:10 6.69 2:12 6.79 3:10 7.61 3:25 7.62 4:00 6.98 4:15 6.54 4:25 5.63 4:35 .00 5:05 7.86 12:25 7.50 No. 76.] 31 Table 17. Results of analyses of water for oxygen taken from various points in the waters surrounding Manhattan Island. The samples were collected from a boat on April 1, 1906, between 9:55 a. m. and 1:15 p. m. High water occurred at Governor's Island at 12:30 p. m. The tide was low at Governor's Island at 7:16 a. m., and at Willett's Point at 10 :13 a. m. The wind Map No. POINT OF COLLECTION OF SAMPLE. Time. Oxygen. 344 Hudson River, off Grant's tomb, bottom.................... p. m. 1:15 1:20 a. m. 9:55 10:00 10:40 10:45 8.80 145 Hudson River, off Grant's tomb, surface................... 9.15 148 149 8.62 8.84 152 8.29 153 East River, below BlackwelTs Island, surface............ 8.07 was northwest and ranged from 17 to 32 miles per hour. (Results stated in^cubic centimeters of oxygen per litre of water.) It will be observed that the oxygen was exhausted in only one of the samples examined, that is, in that one which was collected from the Gowanus Canal. There was a decided reduction below the average in the amount of oxygen in the water of the bay opposite the outlet of the Gowanus Canal and also near the outfall of the large trunk sewer at 65th street, Brooklyn. This (Showed the effect of sewage contamination. In samples collected in the Hudson River and East River there was no deficiency of oxygen. The difference between the oxygen at the bottom and near the surface of the water was noticeable in the Hudson off Grant's Tomb. Here there was more oxygen at the surface than at the bottom. 32 [Assembly C�RESULTS OF A SANITARY INSPECTION OF THE SHORES OF NEW YORK BAY. An inspection of the shores of New York Bay was undertaken in the latter part of March and continued until the middle of April, 1906. The object of this inspection was to observe such sewage or other pollution as might exist on or near the shores. A sanitary inspector, Dr. Payne B. Parsonsi, walked along the shore line and made note of sewage and refuse on the shores and in the water within his range of view. The conditions found are given in the following tables. No. 76.] 33 Table 18. Results of a sanitary inspection of the Staten Island shore of New York bay. Date. 1906. Mar. 27 Mar." 27 Mar. 27| Mar. 28 Mar. 28 Mar. 128 Mar. 28 Mar. 281 Mar. 29 Mar. 29 Mar. 29 Mar. 29 Time. a. m. 10:15 11:30 p. m. 2:00 a. m. 9:30 10:00 10:40 11:20 p. m. 12:05 a. m. 9:15 10:00 10:20 10:40 Place. MidlandlBeach. South Beach, about 100| yards of lower^part South Beachlito Fort| Wadsworth. From upper (northern) limit of Fort Wads-worth north 100 yds, Last point to foot of' Cliff street, Rosebank. Foot of Cliff street to; foot Pennsylvania! ave., Rosebank. South of Doyle's wharf, about 200 yds. north of Pennsylvania ave. Foot West st.f Clifton.. Wind. S.W.. S.W. N. W. N. W. N. W. N.W. Foot of Dock st., Staple-ton. Foot of Thompson^st.. Foot of Canal st.. Foot of Water st.. N.... N.W. N. W Tide. Ebb... Ebb... Ebb,.. Flood. Flood. Ebb... Ebb... Ebb.. Condition of shore. Flood. Flood. Flood. Ebb... Driftwood (large amount), tin cans, bottles, crockery, bones, shoes, rags, paper, shells, vegetables, dead animals, straw and fibrous material, seaweed, etc. Offensive odor. In 400 square feet of shore about 1-20 cubic yard of vegetable matter, 1-20 cubic yard of animal matter and 1-2 cubic yard wood. In 400 sq. ft. of shore about 1-30 cu. yd. of vegetable matter, 1-30 cu. yd. of animal matter and 1-2 cu. yd. of driftwood. Large amount of driftwood. Much less general refuse than at South Beach. Very little garbage. Two dead animals. Much driftwood, bottles, rags, cans, etc. Not much garbage. Same as preceding. Not much driftwood or garbage. Considerable amount of grease floating in water. Water polluted with a considerable amount of sewage. Nearest sewer foot West street, 100 yds. away. Did not appear from tide and wind to come from this. Much driftwood. Not much garbage. Surface of water covered with petroleum. Large sewer outlet here did not appear to change appearance of water. Odor very offensive from number of small sewers opening at side of street, 100 ft. from the shore. In 400 sq. ft. about 1-2 cu. yd. vegetable and 1-10 cu. yd. animal. No driftwood. Grease and petroleum floating near shore. Driftwood, garbage, mattresses, house sweepings and formed fecal matter, the latter breaking up as it was observed, indicating that the sewage mostly came from sewer emptying at foot of street. Same as preceding. Sewer emptied here. Sewage probably from this sewer. Several small sewers located here. Same conditions as above. Two large sewers near together. Water covered with grease and sewage. Shore covered with sewage- and general refuse. Formed feces in water and on shore. Great quantity of street sweepings and refuse from grain mill nearby. Odor of-* fensive. Worst place found so far. No driftwood. In 400 sq. ft. of shore 1 cu. yd. vegetable matter and 1-10 cu. yd. animal matter. 34 [Assembly Table 18.�{Concluded) Date. Time. Place. Wind. Tide. Condition of shore. 1906. Mar. 29 a. m. 11:30 in. Foot of Prospect st..... N , . . Ebb... Pier being made by dumping; 'some refuse falling over sides Large sewer here, also. In 400 sq. ft. of shore about 1-5 cu. yd. vegetable, and 1-10 cu. yd. animal matter. Hardly any driftwood. Mar. 29 12:00 N..... Ebb... Shore much cleaner Some pe- p. m. troleum and grease on water. Mar. 29 12:15 Williams' lumber yard- N. W.. Ebb... Scum of grease, straw and wood about docks; large sewer. Water contains sewage, including formed feces. On shore, in 400 sq. ft., about 1-5 cu. yd. vegetable and 1-10 cu. yd. animal, matter. Mar. 29 1:30 Foot of Marietta st., Tompkinsville. N. W.. Ebb... Very large sewer. Water contains sewage near shore. In 400 sq. ft., about 1-5 cu. yd. vegetable and 1-JO cu. yd. animal matter; all this from sewer, apparently. Along docks saw some sewage, Mar. 29 2:15 j Docks of Amen Dock N. W.. Ebb... Stores, Tompkinsville trace of garbage, fibrous matter and wood. Mar. 29 3:00 Foot of South st., St. N. W.. Ebb... Kerosene on water, also wood, fibre and some garbage. Mar. 30 a. m. 9:20 Ferry Docks, St. George. E ' Flood. Scum of grease and kerosene, fibrous material, garbage, wood, etc., floating about the docks. No odor. No sewage noticed. Mar. 31 9:20 B. & 0. Docks, St. George. N.W.. Flood. Petroleum, wood, straw and some garbage along docks. Mar. 31 9:50 Foot Church st., New Brighton. N.W.. Flood. Petroleum and some driftwood. Mar. 31 10:20 Foot Westervelt ave., New Brighton. N, . , . Flood. Sewer here. Sewage from this, also petroleum. Some garbage and wood in water. Estimated 1-30 cu. yd. vegetable and 1-60 cu. yd. animal matter in 400 sq. ft. Two sewers here. Sewage on shore and in water from this sewer. Mar. 31 11:30 Foot Tyson st., New Brighton, N Ebb... Sewer here. Shore same as Lafayette St. Mar. 31 11:50 p. m. 12:10 Snug Harbor Dock... . N , . Ebb... Petroleum from Bayonne shore along dock. Some garbage and wood. Mar 31 Between Snug Harbor N.W.. Ebb... Large open sewer empties into and Livingston. inlet. Shore of inlet lined with sewage, garbage, rags, paper and wood. 1-30 cu. yd. vegetable and 1-60 cu. yd. animal matter in 400 sq. ft. Mar. 31 12:30 Club house Dock, Richmond Terrace. N. W.. Ebb... Petroleum and wood. No sewage. Mar. 31 1:50 Foot Tompkins place, West New Brighton. Inlet from Tompkins place to Duncan st. N.W.. Ebb... Sewers open into inlet made by new railroad filling. Shore and water of inlet filthy. Odor offensive, i cu. yd. vegetable and 1-20 cu. yd. animal matter in 400 sq. ft. Shores of brook full of sewage. Mar. 31 2:35 Bodine Creek, Port N.W.. Ebb... Richmond, near cor- Many sewers empty into it. Garbage on shore. Odor offen- ner Richmond Terrace and Jewett ave. l sive. Water full of sewage. Scum of grease and petroleum. Drinking ground for oysters. 1-30 cu. yd. vegetable and 1-60 cu. yd. animal matter on shore in 400 cu. ft. Mar. 31 3:40 r Port Richmond ave., Port Richmond, Ber-| gen Beach ferry docks. N.W.. Ebb... Petroleum. Some garbage, wood, straw, etc. No sewage 1 n oticed. No. 76.] 35 This table shows that the Staten Island shore accumulates considerable quantities of refuse which is carried to it by the tide. Some portions of the shore are decidedly foul with sewage which is 'discharged by sewers from Staten Island itself. Table 19. Results of a sanitary inspection of the New Jersey shore of New York bay. Date. Time. 1906. Apr, 2 a. m. 9:50 Apr. 2 10:20 Apr 2. 11:10 Apr. 2 11:35 Apr. 2 p. m. j 1:05 Apr. 2 2:10 Apr. 3 a. m. , 9:40 Apr. 3 10:20 Apr/ 3 11:10 Apr. 3 11:30 Apr. 3 12:10 Apr. 3 a. m. 12:20 Apr, 3 1:40 Place. Bergen Point, Bayonne. Foot of Hobart ave., Bayonne. East end of Standard oil] tanks, Bayonne. Bayonne Yacht Club.... Shore near Bayonne station, Lehigh Valley j Railroad. Foot 46th st., Bayonne. Foot East 49th st., Bayonne. Midway between '49th st. and Penn. Railroad wharf. Penn. Railroad freight! ferry house at end of j point. Penn. Railroad wharf... Shore opposite Bayj View Cemetery,! Greenview. Cavan's Point. End of National docks. Point nearest Liberty| Island. Wind. Tide. N.W.. Flood. N.W.. Flood. N.W.. Flood. :N.W.. Flood. N.W.. Flood. N.W.. Ebb...! N.W.. Flood. N.W.. Flood. N.W.. Flood. N.W.. Flood. N. W.. Flood. N. W.. Flood. N.W.. , Flood. Condition of shore. Some wood. No garbage or sewage. Rocky shore. No garbage or Petroleum on water and shore, wood. Two dead animals, About 1-30 cu. yd. vegetable and 1-40 cu. yd. animal matter in 400 sq. ft. of shore. Rocky shore. No sewage or gar-Petroleum on water. Two sewers here, 4 ft. in diameter each. Water discolored with sewage within radius of 100 yds. Also petroleum oil water. Some wood and garbage, pipes, rags, etc. on shore. About 1-40 cu. yd. vegetable and 1-80 cu. yd. animal in 400 sq. ft. of shore. Shore free from garbage. No sewage noticed. Some wood and petroleum on water. Large brick sewer here ending at high water mark. Sewage flows over beach, tide being low. Some refuse on shore. In 400 sq. ft. of shore, 1-30 cu. yd. vegetable and 1-60 cu. yd. animal matter. Odor #00 ft. leeward. No trace of sewage. Some "refuse In 400 sq. ft. of shore, about 1-30 cu. yd. vegetable and 1-60 cu. yd. animal matter. Scum of sewage on water from large sewer nearby. Some garbage and wood in water about dock. A 5 ft. iron sewer runs out nearly to end of point on north side parallel to shore. Sewage from this sewer on shore and in water toward end of wharf. Odor not offensive on wharf. Large sewer (4 ft. iron) empties here. Runs over flats (swampy); could not reach end of it at shore. No odor at railroad tracks. Cavan's Point shore free from garbage and sewage as far as could be seen. Some driftwood along dock. No garbage; no sewage. 36 [Assembly Table 19.�{Concluded.) Date. Time. Place. Wind, Tide. Condition of shore. 1906. Apr. 3 Apr. 3 Apr. 4 Apr. 4 Apr. 4 Apr. 4 Apr. 4 v. m. 2:15 3:20 a. m. 9:25 9:50 11:05 p. m. 12:10 1:45 Shore of Point opposite Ellis Island. Shore between National docks and Communi-paw. Foot of Communipaw ave. 200 yds. north of Communipaw ave., along shore. Shore opposite Ellis Island, Jersey City. Shore beside North River Coal Co. wharf, Jersey City. Freight docks Central Railroad of New Jersey, Jersey City. N.W.. W.... S.W.. S.W.. S.W.. S.W.. S.W.. Flood. Ebb... Ebb... Ebb... Flood. Flood. Flood. Some garbage, driftwood and petroleum on surface of water. In 400 sq. ft. of shore 1-30 cu. yd. vegetable and 1-80 cu. yd. animal matter. Garbage, paper and wood along docks. No sewage found. Small sewer. Scum of grease on water. Sewage on shore. Odor bad 200 ft. to leeward. No garbage. A 2 ft. iron pipe empties hereon flats 100 ft. from shore. Runs from dredger J mile away, 100 yds. west of Ellis Island. Pipe discharges from free end and from cracks, sewage with mud from bottom of bay. Sewage has offensive odor., Whitish, greasy. Scum of grease on surface of water. Sewage on shore apparently stirred up by dredging scow nearby. Scum of grease on water. Odor of sewage 50 ft. to leeward. No garbage. Hardly any sewage on shore. Scum of sewage on surface of water. Some garbage, wood and paper floating about dock. Some petroleum. No odor noticeable. The New Jersey shore of the Upper New York Bay was, on the whole, comparatively free from visible traces of isewage except in the neighborhood of the outfalls of local sewers. Table 20. Results of a sanitary inspection of the Brooklyn shore of New York Bay. Date. Time. Place. Wind., Tide. Condition of shore. 1906. Apr. 5 Apr. 5 Apr. 5 Apr. 5 Apr. 5 Apr. 5 Apr. 5 a. m. 9:10 9:25 9:50 10:15 10:35 10:55 11:10 N. Y. Dock Co. Rear of warehouse No. 35. N. Y. Dock Co. Rear of warehouse No. 38. N. Y. Dock Co., West side Red D line pier. Wall st. ferry, Brooklyn. N. Y. Dock Co;, between piers Nos. 15 and 16.. Between piers Nos. 16 and 17. N.W.. N.W.. N.W.. N.W.. N.W.. N.W.. N.W.. Ebb... Ebb... Ebb... Ebb... Ebb... Ebb... Ebb... Scum on surface of water in slip due to sewage. Some wood, garbage, paper and fibre. Scum of' grease on water; garbage, wood fibre. No odor noticeable. Petroleum on surface. Odor plain. Large quantity of sewage in water. Water discolored. Scum of grease on surface. Odor 50 ft. to leeward. Paper, rags, wood, straw and garbage. Human feces noted in water. Some straw and garbage in slips. Petroleum on surface. Odor plain. Large quantity of wood and fibre, also garbage, bottles and papef. No. 76.] 37 Table 20.�(Continued.) Date. Time. 1906. Apr. 5 a. m. 11:20 Apr. 5 11:35 Apr. 5 11:50 Apr. 5 p. m. 12:15 Apr. 5 � 1:10 Apr. 5 1:25 Apr. 5 1:50 Apr. 5 2:20 Apr. 5 3:05 Apr. 5 3:35 Apr. 5 3:50 Apr. 5 4:20 Apr. 6 a. m. 9:10 Apr. 6 9:25 Apr. 6 9:35 Apr. 6 10:00 Apr. 6 10:20 Apr. 6 10:45 Apr. 6 11:20 Apr. 6 11:50 Apr. 6 p. m. 1:10 Apr. 6 1:35 Place. Condition of shore. Between piers Nos. 17 and 18. West side of pier No. 19. Atlantic ave. ferry, Brooklyn. East side grain elevator. N. Y. Dock Co. Foot of Amity st.. Between piers Nos. 25 and 26. Foot Congress st. Foot of Baltic st., opposite Governor's Island Foot Sedgwick st. at street end of slip. At end of pier opposite1 center of Governor's Island. Foot of DeGraw st___ Foot of Hamilton ave., just west of ferry house. Hamilton ave. ferry slips. Atlantic basin. Wharf foot Summit st. Between piers Nos. 34 and 35 and between pier No. 35 and warehouse. Atlantic basin wharf in rear of bonded warehouses. N. Y. Dock Co. West side of Atlantic basin. Foot of Jewett st. Foot of Dikeman st. , West of pier No. 39... Foot of Conover st..... Erie Basin, north end, nearest Beard st. Foot# of Richards st. Erie basin. N.W. N.W. N.W. N.W. N.W. N.W., N.W., W... w... w... w... s.w. N.W. N.W. N,W. N.W. N.W. N.W. N.W. N.W. N.W. N.W. Flood. Flood. Flood. Flood. Flood, Flood. Flood. Flood, Flood, Flood, Flood, Flood, Ebb.., Ebb.. Ebb.., Ebb.. Ebb.. Ebb.. Ebb.'. Ebb.., Flood, Flood, Same as between piers Nos. 16 and 17. Scum of sewage on surface. O d or not bad. Wood straw, paper and garbage. Scum of sewage on surface. Wood, straw, papers. Odor carried 40 ft. leeward. Scum of sewage on s u r f a c e. Large quantity of grain refuse in water. Wood and fibre, some petroleum. Large quantity of wood. Sewage on surface. Odor 50 ft. leeward; garbage, bottles, grain. In 400 sq. ft. of shore; vegetable matter 2 cu. yds., including wood, animal matter 1-40 cu. yd. i Scum of sewage along dock. Some petroleum. Sewage in water; water discolored. Scum of grease, on surface. Odor 75 ft. leeward. Some wood. Scum of sewage on surface. Some wood and garbage. No sewage or garbage seen on surface. Large amount of sewage in water. Water discolored with it. Odor 50 ft. to leeward. Scum of grease on surface. Scum of sewage on surface. Odor of sewage noticeable. Sewer empties here. Wood and paper, dead fish, tin cans and garbage. Scum of sewage on water. Garbage, wood and paper in water. Large quantity of wood, also garbage, paper and bottles. Scum of sewage on surface. Same as above. Odor of sewage noticeable 40 ft. to leeward. Good deal of driftwood. Some garbage. Scum of sewage on surface in spots. Odor not apparent, except nearby. Some wood and garbage. Very little evidence of sewage. Some wood and garbage in water about docks. No sewage found. Some wood and garbage. Water discolored with sewage to slight extent. Scum of grease on surface. Large quantity of driftwood, also rags, paper and garbage. No sewage seen. Water discolored with sewage. Scum of grease on surface. No sewer here. Dead dog, wood and garbage on shore. In 400 sq. ft. of shore 1-30 sq. yd. vegetable and 1-30 sq. yd. animai matter. Scum of sewage on surface. Odor not noticeable. Driftwood. Scum of sewage on water. Some wood, garbage, # cotton and fibrous material in water. 38 [Assembly Table 20.�Continued. Date, j Time. 1906. 1 Apr. 6 p. m. 2:05 Apr. 6 2:15 Apr. 9 a. m. 9:25 Apr.l 9 9:50 Apr. 9 10:20 Apr. 10 9:18 Apr. 10 9:25 Apr. 10 9:50 Apr. 10 Apr. 10 10:05 10:20 Apr. 10 10:50 Apr. 10 11:10 Apr. 10 11:35 Apr. 10 11:55 ] Apr. 10 p. m. 1 12:15 Apr. 10 1:10 Apr. 10 1:50 Apr. 10 2:20 Apr. 10 2:30 Apr. 10 2:50 Apr. 10 3:30 J Apr. 10 I 4:10 Place. Wind. Tide. i N.W.. Flood. N.W.. Flood. N, . . Ebb... N .. . Ebb... N..... Ebb... S.W.. Ebb... w.... Ebb... 1 W.... Ebb... w.... S.W.. Ebb... Ebb... S.W.. Ebb... s ,. . Ebb... s..... Ebb... s...... Ebb... S.E... Ebb... S.E... Ebb... S. E.. Ebb., .j S.E... Flood. S.E... Flood. S.E... ' Flood., S.E.... Flood, j S.E... Flood. Condition of shore. Erie basin, between Richards and Dwight| sts. South end of Erie basin..| Wharf between Eriej basin and GowanusJ bay. Brooklyn basin, near en-l trance to Gowanusl bay. Inner shore of Brooklyn) basin. Off Gowanus bay onj course of 39th st.j ferry. Ferry slip, foot 39th st.,| Brooklyn. Foot of 42nd street..... Foot 43d st........ Between piers Nos. 4| and 5. Back of Bush docks. Between pier 3 and 4. West of Bush docks. | Shore foot 51st st.- Shore between 53rd and 54th st., Brooklyn. Morse Dry Dock Co., foot 56th st. Foot 57th st...... Shore just west of 57th] st. Foot of 65th st... Along shore road off Bay Ridge. Dock foot 69th st___ South shore of dock... Foot 71st., Bay Ridge.. 71st to 79th st., along] shore. Foot 79th st.. Large quantity of machine oil on surface of water from machine shops nearby. Sawdust and many small dead fish floating on surface of water. Good deal of driftwood on surface of water. No sewage. Scum of sewage on surface of water on both sides of wharf. Some garbage and wood. No odor. Scum of sewage on surface ; wood and garbage. No odor. Scum of sewage on surface; wood and garbage. No odor. Scum of sewage on water. Some driftwood and garbage. Scum of sewage on water. No odor. Scum of sewage on water, fibre, paper, rags, garbage and feces. Water discolored with sewage. No odor. Same as at 42nd st. Scum of sewage. Salmon cans and wrappers in water. Large quantity of sewage�scum onnsurface. Water discolored. Odor 50 ft. to leeward. In 400 sq. ft. of shore i cu. iyd. vegetable matter. Scum of sewage on water; garbage and wood. In400sq ft. of shore i cu .yd. vegetable matter. Scum of sewage on surface, about docks. Driftwood. No odor. Same as at 56th st. Scum of sewage. Odor 50 ft. to leeward. In 400 sq. ft. of shore % cu. yd. vegetable matter.m Large sewer running out to pierhead line, under wharf. The sewage sets back toward south, toward Edison Co.'s plant. Water discolored for several hundred yards with sewage. Scum on surface. Odor not-bad. Small grease balls on surface of water, the size of marbles. Small servers. Scum of sewage on water. No odor. Scum of sewage both sides of dock. No odor. Water discolored with sewage� scum on surface. Small grease balls. Odor 50 ft. to leeward. Several sewers here out to beyond low water mark. Large brick sewer. Water discolored with sewage in 100 yds. radius. Scum grease on surface. Sewage sets toward Narrows (south). Scum of sewage on surface. Several small sewers. Some driftwood. Sewer, similar to 65th st. sewer, covered, out to pierhead line. Sewage sets toward Narrows (south). Water discolored for several hundred yards. Odor not bad. No. 76.] 39 Table 20.�Concluded, Date. Time. Place. Wind. Tide. Condition of shore. 1906. a. m. Apr. 11 9:35 Shore between 79th st., Bay Ridge and Crescent Athletic Club. N.E.. Ebb... Scum of sewage on surface. Some driftwood. No odor. Apr. 11 9:50 Back of Crescent Club House. N.E.. Ebb... Two sewers. Scum of grease on surface. Driftwood, bottles, tin cans. Sewer at high water mark. Odor 30 ft. to leeward. In 400 sq. ft. of shore 1 cu. yd. vegetable matter. Apr. 11 10:15 100 yards south Crescent Club. N.E.. Ebb... Small sewer out to pierhead line. Scum of grease on surface. Some wood and garbage. Apr. 11 10:35 Shore on to 88th st____ N.E.. Ebb.. Less sewage. Considerable wood. Apr. 11 10:50 Side of private dock south of 88 th st. N.E.. Ebb... More sewage. Wood and paper in water. Apr. 11 11:15 Foot 92nd st.......... N. E.. Ebb... Big sewer covered out to pierhead line. Scum of sewage both sides pier. Water slightly discolored. Odor not strong. Good deal of wood nearby. Apr. 11 11:25 Shore between 92nd st. and low flats south. N.E.. Ebb... Fairly free from sewage. Some wood. Apr. 11 11:35, Off flats (old dock)___. N. E.. Ebb,.. Hardly any sewage. Two small sewers. Apr. 11 11:45 N.E.. Ebb... Water discolored and scum of sewage on surface. Apr. 11 11:50 Foot 3rd ave.......... N. E.. Ebb... Seaweed piled up in corner of shore 3 ft. high. Apr. 11 12:00 p. m. Foot 4th ave., north of dock. N. E Ebb... Good deal of sewage. Grease ball 2 in. x 2 in. Garbage and wood. No odor. In 400 sq. ft. of shore i cu. yd. vegetable and 1-10 cu. yd. animal matter. Apr. 11 12:25 Between 4th ave. and Fort Hamilton. N.W.. Ebb... Shore free from sewage. The eastern, or Brooklyn, shore of Upper New York Bay was, for nearly its whole length, obviouisdy polluted with isewage, refuse and garbage. The amonnlt of this pollution diminished in the direction of the Narrows. Table 21. Results of a sanitary inspection of the shore 0$ the islands in the Upper Bay. Date. Time. Place. Wind. Tide. Condition of shore. 1906. a. m. Apr. 7 9:10 Governor's Island, immediately west of ferry dock. N.W.. Ebb... Sewage in water. Formed feces. No odor. Some wood and fibre. Mattress. Apr. 7 9:25 Governor's Island, 100 yds. west on north shore. N.W.. Ebb... Two sewers, scum of sewage on surface. Sewage in water. Feces and tissue paper. v House sweepings. Little driftwood. No odor. Apr. 11 9:45 Governor's Island, 200 yds. west of ferry dock. N.W.. Ebb... Sewer. Odor 50 ft. to leeward. Some scum of sewage on surface. 40 [Assembly Table 21.�(Concluded.) Date. Time. 1906. Apr. 7 a. m. 10:10 | Apr. 7 10:25 Apr. 7 10:50 Apr. 7 11:10 Ap. 7. 11:25 Apr. 7 11:50 Apr. 7 p. m. 12:20 Apr. 7 12:30 Apr. 7 1:20 Apr. 7 1:35 Apr. 7 1:45 Apr. 7 2:00 Apr. Apr. 7 7 2:10 2:15 Apr. 7 2:25 Apr. 7 3:20 Apr. 7 3:35 Apr. '7 3:50 Apr. 7 4:20 Place. Condition of shore. Governor's Island, near( wharf on north shore. Governor's Island, west side Castle Williams. Governor's Island, along] bulkhead on west shore to retain filling. Governor's Island inlet| where filling is being done Governor's Island inlet, near dredges. Governor's Island, along] bulkhead on south shore. Governor's Island, east shore. Governor's Island, cable crossing. Ellis Island, ferry slip.. . Ellis Island. New Hospital wharf, south side Ellis Island, southwest extremity. Ellis Island, west shore opposite Black Tonu Ellis Island, off coal dock] Ellis Island, north shore opposite Lehigh Valley freight station, Communipaw. Ellis Island, east shore, opposite Manhattan. Liberty Island, north side toward Ellis] Island. Liberty Island, west] shore, opposite National docks. Liberty Island, south] shore Liberty Island, opposite Staten Island. Liberty Island, east shore Liberty Island, near boat landing. I N. W. N.W. N.W. W..., w..., w.... w.... w.... w.... w.... w.... w.... w. w. w. w w. w. w... Ebb.'., Ebb... Ebb... Ebb... Ebb... Ebb... Ebb... Ebb... Flood. Flood. Flood. Flood. Flood, Flood. Flood. Flood. Flood. Flood. Flood. , Water discolored with sewage. Scum of grease on surface. Toilet paper, feces. Odor 50 ft. to leeward. Sewer near. Sewage from this seweu. Water discolored with sewage. Scum of grease on surface. Toilet paper and feces. Odor 20 ft. to leeward. No garbage or wood. Large quantity of floating wood, garbage and straw. Scum of sewage on surface, also feces. Some odor. Sewage seemed to come from distance. No sewers near. Current from Brooklyn shore. Scum of grease on surface of water. No sewage noticed in mud pumped from Buttermilk channel. No odor. Some sewage near small gewer at beginning of wall. Very little wood and garbage. Water discolored with sewage for 200 yds. from nearby sewers. Toilet paper and feces. Sewage from sewer here. Scum of sewage on surface. Some , garbage and paper in wrater. Water discolored with sewage at one point. Some wood and garbage. New wharf being made by dumping between here and Liberty Island. Men seemed to be careful in trimming. Slight scum of sewage on surface. Sewer near. Water discolored with sewage. Scum of grease on surface. Shore and water covered with paper, rags, woodt tin cans, garbage. Great quantity of garbage. In 400 sq. ft. sKore 1-10 cu. yd. vegetable and 1-40 cu yd. animal matter. Scum of sewage on surface. Scum of sewage from nearby sewers. No odor. Feces in water. No garbage or sewage along docks. Water muddy from wind. Could not detect sewage. Bones on shore. Two or three small sewers. No odor. Scum of sewage on surface, straw and driftwood. No sewers on this shore. Water not discolored with sewage # No odor. Considerable sewage in water. Scum of grease on surface all along shore. Only one small . sewer on this shore. The sewage comes from a distance. No odor. Water somewhat discolored with sewage. Some straw on water. Slight scum of sewage on surface. Considerable wood. Some garbage in the water. No. 76.] 41 The shores of the islands of the Upper Bay were, for the most part, comparatively clean, except for sewage which was evidently discharged from buildings on the islands themselves. There were points, however, on Governor's Island and- Liberty Island where remains of sewage were found which could not have originated nearby. This was long range pollution of the most objectionable character. N Table 22. Results of a sanitary inspection of the shores of New York Bay from the Narrows to Coney Island and Sheepshead bay. Date. Time. 1906. Apr. 11 p. m. \ 1:10 Apr. 11 1:20 Apr. 11 1:40 Apr. 11 2:05 Apr. 11 2:35 Apr. 11 3:10 Apr. 11 .4:15 Apr. 12 a. m. 10:00 Apr. 12 Apr. 12 10:20 10:35 Apr. 12 Apr. 12 Apr. 12 10:50 11:15 11:25 Apr. 12 11:40 Apr. 12 11:55 Apr. 12 Apr. 12 p. m. 12:15 1:10 Apr. 12 1:40 Place. Wind. Tide. ' N.W.. Ebb... N.W.. Ebb... N.W.. Ebb... N.W.. Ebb... N.W.. Flood. N.W.. Flood. N.W.. Flood. N.W.. Flood. N.W.. N.W.. Ebb... Ebb... N.W.. N.W.. N.W. Ebb... Ebb... Ebb... N.W.. Ebb... N.W.. Ebb... N.W.. N.W.. Ebb...i Ebb...! N.W.. Ebb...' Condition of shore. Shore at north end ofj Fort Hamilton. Shore between the two! docks. Just north of coal dock.. South of dock......... South end of Fort Hamilton. Shore between Fort Hamilton and first dock, foot 9th st., Bath Beach. Dock at foot of Bay, 9th st., Bath Beach. Foot Bay~13th"st.,Bath Beach. Foot Bay 15th st...... Foot Bay 17th st..___ Foot Bay 19th st...... Foot Bay 22nd st...... Foot Bay 23rd st...... Foot 21st ave., Benson-hurst. Foot Bay 32nd st., Ben-sonhurst. Foot Bay 36th st...... Shore of bathing pavilion, Ulmer Park. OfffMafine Basin Co. dock. Slight scum of sewage near dock. Shore fairly clean. Shore along wall fairly free from sewage. Some wood. Large sewer at high water mark. Water discolored. Scum on surface. Odor 30 ft. to leeward. Good deal of driftwood. Very little sewage. Seaweed, garbage and wood. No sewage. Free from sewage, except at opening of sewer 400 yds. south of Fort Hamilton. Some seaweed, garbage and driftwood In 400 sq. ft. of shore 1-20 cu. yd. vegetable matter. Sewer under dock out to pierhead line. Some scum of sewage on surface. No odor. Shore clean. No sewage visible in water. Same. Some wood. Sewer here. Scum of sewage on water. Odor 50 ft. to leeward. Driftwood and garbage. In 400 sq. ft. of shore 1 cu. yd, animal matter. Shore clean. No sewage. Shore clean. No sewage. No sewage. Some straw and wood. Some driftwood and garbage. No No sewage. Some wood. No sewage. Some wood. Scum of sewage on surface of water, in spots. Wood, rags, paper, and garbage on shore. In 400 sq. ft. of shore � cu. yd. vegetable matter. No sewage in water at end of docks. On Gravesend bay side slight scum of grease in places. 42 [Assembly Table 22.�(Continued.) Date. Time. Place. Wind. Tide. Condition of shore. 1906. p. m. Apr. 12 2:05 East shore of Gravesend bay, south of marine dock. East shore Gravesend N.W.. Ebb... Seaweed, straw and wood. No sewage visible. Apr 12 2:35 N.W.. Ebb... Seaweed, straw and wood. No bay. Back of fishing docks. Same shore near Coney sewage visible. Apr. 12 3:10 N.W.. Ebb... Slight scum on surface from Island creek outlet.. . waters of creek. No odor. Apr. 12 3:50 Same shore, along flats near Coney Island. N.W.. Ebb... No sewage. Some seaweed. Apr. 12 4:20 Bridge over Coney Island creek. N.W.. Ebb... Several sewers empty into creek between bridge and Gravesend bay. Scum of sewage on surface of creek. No odor. Apr. 13 10:05 South shore of Gravesend bay from Coney Island creek to Sea Gate. N.W.. Flood. Scum of sewage on surface; feces, house sweepings and toilet paper on water. About 12 sewers along this shore, one at foot of each street. Odor not bad. Apr. 13 10:55 Southwest shore of Gravesend bay. N.W.. Flood. Good deal of driftwood on shore. Scum of sewage on water. In 400 sq. ft. of shore i cu. yd. vegetable matter. Apr. 13 11:25 Shore of Gravesend bay, around east side of S .... Ebb... Great quantity of driftwood and some garbage on shore. Scum Norton's Point. of sewage on surface of water. Grease balls 3 in. x 3 in. No sewers nearby. Driftwood and sewage backs in from New York bay with the tide. (Men gathering wood on shore, said new supply came in every day.) In 400 sq. ft. of shore 3 cu. yds. vegetable matter, mostly wood, 1-20 cu. yd. animal matter. Apr. 13 11:50 Shore off Norton's Point to Atlantic Yacht Club House at end of Gravesend bay. S Ebb... Scum of sewage on surface. Two grease balls, 2x2 and 3 x 3 inches. No odor of sewage. Some garbage and driftwood on water. Apr. 13 p. fn. 12:25 Shore of New York bay. Sea Gate west of Nor- S .... Ebb..'. Immense quantity of driftwood. In 400 sq. ft. of shore, 5 cu. yds. Some garbage, straw and bot- ton's Point. tles. No sewage on water. Grease ball on shore 2 x 2 in. Apr. 13 1:20 Shore off Sea Gate to Coney Island light. S.E... Ebb... Great quantity of driftwood. Some garbage. No sewage detected. Apr. 13 2:15 South shore Sea Gate from light to Sea-bourne hotel. S.E... Ebb... Some driftwood where shore runs back some distance. Some seaweed. Very little garbage. No evidence of sewage. Apr. 13 3:10 Seabourne Hotel to S.E... Ebb... Not much driftwood. Some straw Sea Gate Beach Hotel S.E... Ebb... on shore and seaweed No sewage. Apr. 13 3:55 Sea Gate Beach hotel to Steeplechase Park, Coney Island. S.E... Ebb... Not much driftwood or garbage. Considerable amount of straw and seaweed. No sewage. Apr. 13 4:20 Off Steeplechase Park... S.E... Ebb... Shore very clean all along here. Apr. 14 9:30 Coney Island shore from Steeplechase Park to Dreamland. S.E... Flood. Shore quite clean Some seaweed and driftwood. No remains of sewage visible. Apr. 14 9:55 Shore of Dreamland. . . . S.E... Flood. Some seaweed. Apr. 14 10:25 Beach from Dreamland to iron pier. S.E... Flood. Small quantity of seweed. No garbage or'sewage. Apr. 14 10:50 Palmer's bathing beach. S.E... Flood. Beach clean. Apr. 14 11:15 Municipal shore east of Palmer's. S.E... Flood. Some seaweed. Apr. 14 11:45 Parkway baths, south.. S.E... Flood. Large quantity of seaweed on shore. In 400 sq. ft. of shore 2 cu. yds. of seaweed. Apr. 14 p. TYl. 12:20 Between Parkway baths S.E... Ebb... Large quantity seaweed, 4 cu. yds. in 400 sq. ft. of shore. Dead dog. and Brighton Beach hotel. No. 76.] 43 Table 22.� (Concluded.) Date. Time. 1906. Apr. 14 v. m. 1:15 Apr. 14 1:50 Apr. 14 2:20 Apr. 14 Apr. 16 2:45 a. tn. 1 9:20 Apr. 16 Apr. 16 9:50 10:25 | Apr. 16 10:45 Apr. 16 11:35 Apr. 16 1:10 Apr. 16 2:35 Apr. 16 3:15 Apr. 16 3:55 Place. Wind. Tide. Condition of shore. Shore just east of Brighton Beach hotel. Shore front of Manhattan Beach hotel. From Manhattan Beach hotel to Oriental. Front of Oriental hotel.. Sheepshead bay foot of shore road. � Shore road to Ocean ave. I Ocean ave. to foot East! 23rd st. i East 23rd st. to East 27th st. ! Foot 27th st. to end of j Emmons ave., extreme east end Sheeps head bay. Pumping station east end of town, South shore of Sheepshead bay from Coney Island creek to bridge. South shore from bridge to Oriental hotel. Point east of Oriental hotel. S.E.. S. E.. S.E.. S.E.. N.... N.... N.W. N.W. N.W. Ebb... Ebb... Ebb... Ebb... Flood. Flood. Flood. Flood. Flood. Flood. N.W. N.W. Ebb.. Ebb.., Ebb.. Immense quantity seaweed. Six cu. yds. in 400 sq. ft.of shore. Some driftwood. Small quantity garbage. Some seaweed along seawall. Seaweed on water along seawall. Seaweed along seawall. Scum of sewage on surface near shore. Small amount of garbage and seaweed. No odor. No sewage noticed. Some seaweed. No sewage. Shore quite clean. Some seaweed. No sewage found along shore. Water in Sheepshead bay stirred up by dredger, fining in flats between bay and Manhattan Beach. Very little sewage detected in bay. Only slight scum at certain points. No odor. Sewage of Sheepshead Bay (town) is pumped to eastern extremity of town, east of race track, mixed with chlorinated lime, the liquid part discharged into Bull's Creek and the solid siphoned out onto the flats nearby. There was no odor where deodorized contents of deposit tanks were discharged April 14. There are oyster beds in Bull's Creek where liquid part of sewage empties. Shore clean. Scum of sewage at one point near opening of creek. No sewage on water. Shore clean. Sewage from Manhattan Beach and Oriental hotels pumped to pumping station here, and after treatment with lime, emptied into New York bay, just outside of seawall. On comparing table 22 with 18 it will be seen that both shores of the Lower Bay were polluted for a considerable distance from the Narrows. The Staten Island shore contained large quantities of garbage as far as the inspections were continued in that direction, that is, Midland Beach. The north shore of the Lower Bay was fairly free from visible evidences of sewage and other pollu- 44 [Assembly tion, except near the outlets of local sewers, where occasionally small amounts of sewage scum were seen floating at a considerable distance from the shore. The presence in this vicinity of large grease balls which could only have been derived from sewers of considerable length, showed that some sewage was evidently transported to these shores from Brooklyn sewers which emptied into the Upper Bay. That portion of the ishore of the outer harbor which lies in the vicinity of Norton's Point contained so.much driftwood, garbage and sewage matter that it seems reasonable to conclude that this point is a collecting center for refuse which flows out of the Narrows. As much as 5 cubic yards of animal and vegetable refuse were found on 400 square feet of beach in this vicinity. Men who were found gathering wood here said that the supply of fueil was inexhaustible. From Norton's Point eastward there was a constantly diminishing amount of putrescible refuse until, about midway between the two ends of Coney Island, it was reduced to an occasional lot of garbage or a dead animal or so. The shores and water of Sheepshead Bay were fairly clean, as might be expected at this season of year. Inspections confirmed what the chemical and bacteriological analyses of the commission had already shown concerning the objectionable practice of cultivating oysters in the creeks in the immediate vicinity of New York. Bodine creek, on Staten Island, where large quantities of oysters are " drinked " in preparation for market was reported by the inspector to be obviously polluted with sewage. The shores were strewn with vegetable and animal matters and a scum of grease and petroleum was ou the water. No. 76.] 45 Equally objectionable conditions connected with the oyster industry were found elsewhere. The liquid part of the sewage of the town of Sheepshead Bay was found to be emptied, after being treated with chemicals, into Bull's creek in the immediate proximity of oyster beds. The danger of pollutng oysters in these w^ays was clearly pointed out in the iirst report of the New York Bay Pollution Commission. The existence of the resulting danger to the public health was emphasized' by a typhoid oyster outbreak which occurred at Lawrence, N. Y., in 1904, and was investigated and "reported on by me. D�CONCLUSIONS. The principal conclusions which it seems proper to draw from the foregoing investigations are in conformity with the conclusions recorded in the first report of the commission. They are as follows: 1. The waters of the bay and adjacent waters are unmistakably, but not as yet badly, polluted. 2. The sewage is not uniformly dispersed and diffused throughout the depth and breadth of the tidal currents. The discharge of crude sewage results in polluting the water more at the surface than in the depths below. 3. The discharge of sewage along the shores often leads to the production of a decided local nuisance. 4. Although the present method of disposing of the sewage of Manhattan is, perhaps, as acceptable a� any method of emptying crude sewage into these waters could be, it is far from being always satisfactory. 5. The disposal of sewage at the pierhead line, as practiced on Manhattan Island is much to be preferred to the plan of 46 [Assembly No. 76.] emptying it at the bulkhead line ;as is generally practiced elsewhere in this vicinity. 6. There is no doubt but that offensive matters from the sewage, and the sewage itself, are sometimes transported long distances by the tides and winds and deposited on shores remote from any sewer outlet. 7. Excepting in such heavily polluted waters as Gowanus Canal, there is probably always enough oxygen in the water to enable the bacteria of decomposition to carry on their work without the production of offensive odors. 8. No other method of disposing of the sewage of New York and vicinity is suggested as the result of these investigation's. It is evident that some other method should be devised, if practicable, but the satisfactory study of this question involves investigations of a far more exhaustive character and of a wider scope than have thus far been possible.