The Narrows

This image shows what is knows as "The Narrows". It is a tidal strait separating the boroughs of Staten Island and Brooklyn in New York City. It connects the upper and lower sections of New York Bay and forms the principal channel by which the Hudson River empties into the Atlantic Ocean. It has long been considered to be the maritime "gateway" to New York. On the picture you can see Fort Lafayette and Fort Hamilton, which secured the entrance to the harbor. When the emigrant ships passed The Narrows they were stopped for inspection by health and custom authorities. The image is from an old view book printed about 1885. It is about 10 x 6 cm in size.