The Madisonian. [volume] (Washington City [i.e. Washington, D.C.]) 1837-1845, 1842-08-23
THE EXPLOSION.

The EAfLOSlON.
Mr. EDIroR-Permit me to describe for your read
ers the grand exhibition of the power of Colts Sub
marine Battery, which was made, pursuant to notice,
on Saturday evening, opposite the Arsenal, in the
channel of the Potomac.
Before entering upon my description, 1t may be
well to state that that Mr.. Colts continuance is de-
signed to protect rivers and channels from the
entrance of hostile fleets ships, by placing in such
channels large quantities of guupowder contained in
tight metallic cases. which may lay on the bottom an
indefinite time, ready for use when wanted thus is
formed the battery. By some means not explained,
the inventor is enabled to communicate fire to this
battery at will, though the operator may be--as he
was in the present case-several miles from the ter
rible instrument of his power. The communication
is, by some, supposed to be effected through the
agency of electricity, conveyed by wires extending
along the bed of the river channel from the bate
ny to the apparatus of the operator in respect to this
however, not au fat and only give it as popu-
lar conjecture.
But to proceed The hour at which the explosion
was to occur being s. o'clock, P. M determined
to seize time by the orelock in order to avoid crowd
the road, and at quarter past 4snugly slowed In
a carryall-turned from the Avenue down a. street
toward the Arsenal but had scarcely crossed the
bridge before found myself involved in crowd OF
vehicles-a constant stream of which were, even at
this early hour pouring out from the city toward the
point of universal attracton-whe by the way-side
pedestrians of all ages sexes, and degrees, trudged
resoutely on, red with perspiration and begrimed
with dust. Dust indeed! never did see the like.
had heard Of clouds Of dust, and supposed had seen
them, but here was regular bank-impervious and
interminable--to which fog bank on ST. Georges
shoals were as gossamer, and London fog trans
parent as ether. At length however, we turned
from dusty way, and how delicious the con-
trast beneath feet carpet of deep green YER
dure stretching away either hand along the pic
turesque and beautiful banks of the river and before
US, bright placid and glorious is the noble Potomac
60 great Potomac o ye banks of shade
Ye mighty scenes, in natures morning made
| While still with rich magnifcence of prime
She poured her ENTHUSIASTICALLY sublime
About a mile below the Arsenal fine taunt
looking brig with her tall spars clothed with canvas
all her light kites aloft, to the breeze which
seemed hardly dstend the loftiest Of them she
stretched laziy the river-her motion barely
sensible to the eye. To this gallant vesselaround
which several small boats plying-the eyes
of the uninitiated were directed the doomed vic
tim of the terrific experiment, while each new
conner arrived and breathlessly inquiI ed which is
the vesse?" dozen friendly fingers pointed
toward the pyramid of canvass with sthere she is, y
{" that's her." The attention of the knowing ones
was, however, directed to object of less imposing
appearance much nearer the shore, which might
well have been overlooked on ordinary occasions,
and probably before object of great in
erest to any body This rusty looking schooner
of some 60 or 70 tons anchored directly abreast Of
the Arsenal two three hundred yards from
the shore. She had the head of her main-sail
hoisted about half way up, if she had just
come to anchor, and as no person appeared on
her DECK it might have been fairly inferred that she
was oyser-man other bay craft, just arrived,
and that her had gone ashore after fresh grub
This was the craft which had-atter escaping many
peril of shoa reef and hurricane-brought her old
frame here to become the victim of continuance, in
comparison with which the internal machine" was
as bottle of ginger pop. Like weather beaten
old tar who after buetting with the ocean lifetime,
should be forced to give his battered to the
dissecng knife-for the benefit of science-to pay his
funeral expenses But let US go ahead.
The eager thousands still continue arrive and,
the moment designated for the catastrophe is
hand, the crowded vehicles emerge from the dusty
road in perfect fury of haste lest they may be too
late AT half past five, there were, probably ten or
twelve thousand persons scattered along the bank of
the river abope the arsenal, and how many below,
have means to npute. Scores ofcrowded coach
es there were. from which bright eyes peered steadily
with thrilling interest upon the gallant brig pecting
each moment to see her light kites" hurled alof by
power more terrible than the whirwind; while the
humble little coaster lay quietly at her anchor
attracting glance About this time, when expecta
ton at its highest PITCH it whispered that the
President had not arrived, and then every eye was
turned towards the city, from whence put
ting off fine steamer decked with flags. As knew
that the catastrophe could not happen until the arrival
of the steamer, spent the interval of few minutes
in threading my way through the crowd listening to
questions and remarks elected by the occasion
Z" WONDER" says what the explosive power
2" 9" don't know" nor neither" believe
is gunpowder." 81 guess not-I heard it deto-
mating POWDER 81 reckon, said a quiet looking
man, very naipely, it must be the Veto power,
know of none likely to produce explosion. But
here is the steamer, paving the waters like thing
Of ife" She glides gracefully and swiftly by cleav-
| ing the placid waters, which are rolled off in mimic
pillows from her path, and come-frst angiy, then
gently, and beautifully ess'-towarJ the shore till
they break, in gentle whispers, the pebby beach
On the promenade deck is group, composed Of
the President of the United States the Heads of De-
partments, and other dgnitaries Here and there,
among the crowd an invdious remark-half playful
Iy expressed-is heard; but, generally, the multitude
view, with respectful and gratifed attention. the gal
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