The River and Sound afford Navigation for Vessels of any Burthen towards the Collonies of Connecticut, Rhode Island and the Massachusetts Bay, in
some degree hazardous however at the noted place distinguished by the name of Hell Gate about six Miles East of the City of New York.
Connecticut River where
it
divides this Province from
New Hampshire is included within the
Limits of the latter. Question No. 5.
What are the Principal Harbours, how situated and of what extent; and what is the Depth of Water & nature of Anchorage in each? Answer.
There is but one principal Harbour which is the Port of New York being that part of the East River The harbour is in length from fronting the City and lying between that and Long Island. miles, and Breadth across to Long Island about one about two its Southwest the to the North East
--
Harbour,
The Depth of water from Four to Eight Fathom, tho' at some places no more at low Water than Ten Feet. In Nip Tides the Water rises about Four Feet and an half, at the Full and Change of the Moon, Six, and if at those Seasons a strong Easterly Wind prevails the rise of the Tides The Anchorage is good in a bottom of mud; there is only one remarkable increase to Eight Feet. mile.
Reef of Rocks about mid-channel, half a mile within the Entrance; And the Harbour being shelter'd in front by Long Island; to the East by a sudden bend in the River; and to the West by Nutten Island; Vessels during the hardest Gales ride in great safety, and are only incommoded a few days in the Winter