The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1851-10-21
City Intelligence.

susmARrrE BLAsrISs DIAMOND Result having
days previous that NJ Maeert the celebrated French
engineer who has been engaged for time past in
removing the distractions TO the navigation Of that part
of Long Island Sound known Hellsate would fire
two charges containing one hundred and twenty
pounds Of gun powder on Diamond Reef at twelve min
utes past o'clock yesterday the neighborhood Of the
Battery crowded long before that hour By the
time Fixed at least ten thousand people stationed
the Battery, Castle Garden, Governors Island,
the Barge cfHcs dock, and the other docks in the
for the purpose Of seeing the force of
powder when ignited and exploded under water. For
fifteen minutes before til discharges the assembled
Thousands strained their eyes in every direction many
of them not knowing the locality Of the reef and many
of them having heard Of before although IL has
been annoyance every mariner that has nsvgated
waters since its existence became known and though
many coed ship has struck upon It, in making her way
TO the city Ct New York taking her departure from it
To the knowing ones this uncertainty was the cause
OF . good deal Of amusement. Where will the
explosion come OFF, inquired gentleman who evidently
came from the far West From where you the small
boats was the reply Can you tell me- SIR, where to
look for the discharge" another would ask. Where
you the small boats the answer, before.
Excuse me, sir, am stranger another would ask;
marine sunpowder explosion ~ Where You see the
small boats" As IL happened that every small boat in
the whole country and the neghborhood adjoining was
engaged for the occasion the river from the South Ferry
TO Bedlovs Island pretty well sprinkled with them
and would be difficult 10 psnt out place the water
where there not small boats. The consequence
that the space included between these points embracing
nearly mile, thoroughly and eagerly scanned for
ecme feep minutes before the explosions did take place
by the Thousands who did not know the exact locality
although so much notice was given and so many part
culsrs stated in the newspapers TO all want Of
River aud Norwich boats steamed past the reef and
no sooner did the commoton caused BY their progress
Gaze, than Mr.. Maillefert proceeded to carry out
his arrangements tin can, con tanning one hundred
and twenty i've pounds weight 81 powder lowered
on part Of the reef deemed the most favorable for pro-
ducing the greatest effect To this attached
wire encased with guts percha 20 as TO prevent its
coming in contact with the water This wire extended
20 the boat, on board Of which Was n Mslefert. AL
things being In readiness the signal given-a white
handkerchief wsved-the battery applied and
the explosion took place shock felt on board the
distance Of some twenty I've or thirty feet which fall
ing again, created great disturbance the surface,
and al over From the discolored appearance Of
the column Of water thrown up IL evident that the
explosion caused some damage to the reef, bat to
what extent u could not be AscertAined at the time
The immense multitude who attended the exhibition
expressed themselves highly pleased with the beautiful
spectacle Lhe second discharge wa much the same -
the hrst We have on former occasion xplained the
principle on which these explosions conducted 10 IL
very simple but very Efficient The water lie used a
fuerun and the deeper Il s Of course the power
full the resistance. High water IL therefore the
time selected for such experiments By this process
Mr. Maiefert has succeeded in reducing pos-rock At
Hengate from eight 10 seventeen aud half feet
below lev water mark. When he redus.s II twenty
fosr feet below low water he will have accomplished ali
be contracted for and conferred heneft on the mer
camille interests Of New York worth ffty times the
amount tina, be wiz receive for his outlay and hi.
services
IsrsoDrcroRr Lscruss BrroRr rHr Nrw YOsK MrDi-
CoLLsoE Last evening Professor Barker delivered
Ahr tHtrvuuctory ecturs OF the sea~ou Dfior" tne
new Medical College, In East Thirteenth street.
The exercises Of the evening introduced by
eome excellent music performed By Dodvorths Brass
Bssd- Rev Or. Bowling then delivered prayer after
which the band played lively air and then Of the
Officers Of the Institution introduced the Professor TO
the audience The lecture well composed, and very
well read II was marked by numerous sentences Of
good common reason and much advice Of practical
utility 20 the students We intended TO report the
lecture but reporter who nded for the purpose
OF taking notes Of H. found that not the slightest Prepa
ration had been made for the members Of the
not 80 much a. rough board, which TO their
noteboou. Hence his excuse for rot reporting H.
There was large audience in attendance among
we're nany ladies and many Of the residents q the
neiShborhood In which the college IL located At
fhe conclusion Of the lecture the sudenc. we're invited
visit the different apartments Of the college buildings
CosascrIor In noticing the National Guard escort,
attending the funeral Of the late Joseph Dvver In
Monday HrRALD We Inadvertently stated that the
fifth Company vas under the command of william A
UpderhiL We should have said, Captain Frederick
Creighton Mr. Underhl being tAe hrst Lieutenant Of
raid campany