New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1852-02-23
Submarine Operations en- che Rocks at Hurl-
Gate.

To WALTER R JONES, Esq President Of the Nsw York
L,fe Saving Bsnspoient Association:
SIR: In conducting the proceedings pre-
liminary to the commencement OF operations, By
Monsieur MaefeYt for the removal of several large
and dangerous reefs of rocks from the channel OF
Huyl-G ate, and also In conducting the proceedings
connected with, and consequent upon these opera
TONS voluntarily assumed an important and pscu.
liar trust, the execution of which, 1t is proper
should make public report upon, and as the re-
moval OF dangerous rocks from so great thorough.
fare as Hurl Gate, where steamers and vessels hled
with passengers pass almost every hour OF the day
ard night the work may well deserve the designa-
tion OF "hfe saving" effort, and therefore pro.
per subject Of cognizance BY the Association over
which YOU preside and besides this, the great inte
rest YOU have taken In these operations and tue ac-
tive and efficient service you have personally req,
Sered therein seem to allow me the liberty which
II oss respectfully take of addressing to you as Pre-
sideht Of the New-York Life Saving Benevolent AS
sociaiion, this communication, which have drawn
up In the form of a
In October, IS4S, Mons. b. Maillefert, Submarine
Engineer. came to New.fOTk, nom Ne~-ffovi'
deLce for the purpose OF making proposals 10 remove
tie rocks from the Channel OF hurl Gate, having
seen in the newspapers notice that the removal OF
these distractions was contemplated lie called
sron me with letter OF Introduction from MAX
we'll Woodruff, EsQ Lieut. U. s. and Asst In the
Coast SURVEY and explained his newly discovered
method of blasting rocks under water. was tuily
convinced that his plan for removing the rocks rom
Hun ate Channel was preferable to any oher tnat
rad be en- sted and introduced him to yourself
70 Hon James G. King, and subsequently introduced
HIM TO the me mbers OF the Chamber OF Coininercs,
when in session, all of whom were In favor OF an
experiment beirg made with this new mooe OF
blasting.
EaTlv in December Of that year. memorials were
forwarded TO Washington. asking for an appropria-
ton TO dsIay the expense OF removing ,aese oass0i
Gus rocks from the Channel OF HUI Gaze.
The memorials were presented In me House OF
Representatives. and referred 10 the Com nlt'ee On
Commerce. gave VI. Maillefert letters OF ihuo-
duc,lon TO the members of that Committee, ana also
to Col. Alert, Chief of the Top. Bureau, ana re-
ouested him TO explain to the Committee and 10 Coi
Assert his new plan of blasting. had previously IN.
noduced him to Professor Bache, Superintendent OF
The Committee reported in favor o. an appropra-
ton Of thirty thousand dollars but this SUN was IN
cuced, as spsciSc appropriation In the RIVER Suu
Hsrbor Bill, which was passed oy the Rouse, ou.
failed the Senate on the last cay OIL the io
want of time to act upon IT, - -,
Mr.. Henry Grinnel, OF the City OF New.YorS, me
sis,ire uished friend Of Sir John Frarkitn' seeios
that delays attended the making OF an Appropriation
hy Coperess vol UNFAIRLY and promptly came forward
and offered us an advance OF the sum OF hve nun.
dred dollars, toward the expense OF removing ros
Rock. and ossquently increased the nouns 20 wv
THOUSAND DOLLARS. Other individuals nave hohoreo
themselves by the aid they have given to thus enter
prise OF them and thelr very efhcien' so, We snau
enreavor To epeak hereafter.
Mr.. James &. King, IN a letter dated House OF ne
representatives., July g. 1850, said | Will SUBSCRIBE
ole hundred collars toward the expense OF remov'
irg Pot Rock, and double It II Necessary 10 carry
out the project.
At a meeting held at the Merchants Bank, at
which Mr. James G.. King presided as Chairman ana
Nr John FaconeY ofhcisted rs Secretary, In June,
1851, Mons Malllefert mado proposals agreeing "
remove three OF the most dangerous rocks IN tne
Channel Of Hurl Gate for the sum oil hfteen tnous
FIVE hundred dollars which proposals were reduced 70
writing ard placed in your hands as Chairman OF
Committee appointed by that meeting
The first submarine charge was fred ~ Pot KeeS ne