The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1852-02-14
Submarine Operations on the Rocks at
Hell Gate.

TO THE EDITOR OF THE HERALD.
The long continued and cold weather compelled
NJ Mailefert to suspend operations the rocks He'll
Gate, until Monday, the I'd instant when he RS CON-
menced firing on Pot Rock; and rincs that time, has
weather favorable for blasting The severity of the
cold may best be illustrated by the brief of
bridge extending from the island to the main land and
reaching to within less than mile of Pot Rock
Wl4sS hours, comprising the entire months Of Deem
Der and January there were 1855 hours during which
the temperature below tho freezing point and
remaining 1893 hours the greater portion Of tbs time
storms or high winds prevailed to such extent
wholly suspend submarine operations.
The firing on Pot Rock only be effected during the
continuance Of slack water which, 10 the
OF operations lasted only from eight to sixteen minutes
Between the th Of November and the 18th of Defender
most of the charges fred Pc. Rock in water Of
greater depth tAan twenty feet with view to the
moval Of the rock to tbs depth of twenty four feet At
present the charges being fred isolated points
the rock between nineteen and twenty feet the sound
Dgs for which, during the short period allowed by slack
water, necessarily make the operations slow.
The difficulties with which the operations at He'll Gate
are surrounded are far from abatng the energy and good
courage OF NJ Maillefert He recommended operations
on the first favorable day and confidently trusts that
long, he will be able complete this great and useful
work which has become an object Of general interest
and in the execution Of which, far he has been emil
nently aud most wonderfully successful
in Augut last ate In the season. bat few persons had
confidence in his The plan Of blasting under
lwithout any dTiing) using the water fulcrum
resisting medium was BY most persons unphi
,osophc but complete success hes attended this great
experiment which he has been enabled make the
efficiency OF this method Of sub marine bla,ting Ia,
been 90 thoroughly demonstrated rs to convince the
most sceptcal.
During the period he has been making efforts for the
removal Of the rocks at the Gate five lives have
sacrificed on Pot Rock four persons By the upsetog Of
boat in passing over It, and one man by blow on the
beast from the ,er of vessel in consequences of the
rudder striking the top Of the rock while the vessel
passing overit
The discovery osths mode Of blasting rocks under
water without driing the value OF which has been de-
monrad by the removal of Of the most dangerous
ocss in the world from the very borders of whirlpool
is worth millions TO commerce.
Pct Rcck NO longer terror to naygatorsno longer
obstruction to tie navigation of the Gate by any
vessel that hes used this great thoroughare for the last
twenty years; the whirlpool has ceased its for it
longer exists and the great charm in which it has had
its home for centuries of time has been filled up by the
debris Of the submarine explosions the rock which
created il.
We preparing detailed report Of the operations
the Gate for publication 1t will be addressed to alter
r. Jones' Eco, President Of the New York Life Saving
Benevolent Association. l.. MERRIAM.
Februay II, 1852.