The act authorizing its construction was passed on the 17th of April, 1S57, the Avords of which stipulated that it should be commenced "as soon as the Commissioners thought it necessary;" and about the latter end of November, i860, the board in question thought it was nearly time to begin, and the work was taken in hand at that date.

From the water on the upper side, it looks remarkably well. The engineer in charge was Mr. Erastus Smith, who had the charge of the ram Dunderberg, and he was assisted in the v,'ork by Mr. Ethan Rogers.

Prior to the erection of the old wooden bridge, there appears to have been a. fordi/ig p/ace hctwctn the two shores; for, upon the nth of October, 1666, Governor Nicolls granted "certain saw mills to Thomas Delaval, John Vervelen and Daniel Turner, &c., Ipng over against Verchers or Hogg Island, in the Sound, where a passage hath been made to ford over front this island to the juainey^

Governor Dongan's patent for Haarlem, 16S6, recites the following:

"And whereas the town lies very commodious for a. ferry to and from the maine, which may redown tu the particular benetit of the inhabitants as well to general good. The freeholders and inhabitants of said town should, in consideration of the benefits and priveleges therein granted, as also for what advantage might accrue thereb}-, be enjoyned and obliged, at their proper, costs and charge, to build and provide one or more boats fit for the transportation of men, horse or cattle, for which, a certain allowance was to be given by each particular person," &:c.'=