Note 30 — Chapter IV

This is a narrow strait in the Sound, at the distance of six miles above New York. It is dangerous to shipping, unless under the care of skilful pilots, by reason of numerous rocks, shelves, and whirlpools. These have received sundry appellations, such as the Gridiron, Frying-pan, Hog’s Back, Pot, etc., and are very violent and turbulent at certain times of tide. Certain mealy-mouthed men, of squeamish consciences, who are loth to give the Devil his due, have softened the above characteristic name into Hurl-gate, forsooth! Let those take care how they venture into the Gate, or they may be hurled into the Pot before they are aware of it. The name of this strait, as given by our author, is supported by the map in Vander Donck’s History, published in 1656,—by Ogilvie’s History of America, 1671,—as also by a journal still extant, written in the sixteenth century, and to be found in Hazard’s State Papers. And an old MS. written in French, speaking of various alterations in names about this city, observes, “De Hell-gate, trou d’Enfer ils ont fait Hell-gate, Porte d’Enfer.”