East of the Mill Brook, and nearly opposite the North and South Brother Islands on the East River, "is situated Port iNIorris -- unsurpassed for the anchorage of large vessels, by any port in the world." The G?'eat Eastern, with her immense size and capacity, formerly landed safely at one of her docks; and just above Port Morris, and about opposite Riker's Island, fronting the property of the late B. M. Whitlock, is a bay, affording the best place for a navy-yard in any of the States; inasmuch as here, alongside of the East River salt water frontage, might be constructed a large fresh water basin -- to be supplied by water, about a mile distant from the Bronx's River, in the village of West Fanns -- lar^^e enough to float all the iron-clads of the world; and the corroding of the

a One of thes'! trees m?aiure foartcen feet In ciroumfereuce, whilo Its branch'^s aCToril a ai-ll.iilH (if i-jijf.rt.

h Oil ilii : stream u mill was ercctoJ hy Lc^is ilorrii 'v.\ ITfln, of which Qothiu^ rcmaias bat tUo mill ilaui.

492 HISTORY OF THE COUNTY OF \VESTCHESTER.

iron of these vessels when not in active service, lying in salt water, requires their anchorage in such a fresh water basin. The concentration of the Hudson River, the Harlem, New Haven and Harlem River Railroads in their freighting and passenger business, at their proposed hl-w grand depot, near Melrose and at Mott Haven, indicates that their irnniense freight and passenger traffic from the Pacific coasts, and from the West and the East, all must within a few years centre near the Harlem River, within the present town of Morrisania. These facilities will be greatly increased by the proposed canal connecting the Harlem River with the Hudson River, the removal of the obstructions at Hell Gate, and the erection of the Suspension Bridge at Anthony's Nose in the Highlands, connecting with the New York City and Northern Railroad.