New-York daily tribune. [volume] (New-York [N.Y.]) 1842-1866, 1860-06-30

HARMON IMPROVEMENTS IN PRoGREss Diamond
Reef dangerous rock in the East River dist
10 the north. east of Governors Island, which has
rubbed off the keel Of many ship, was surveyed by
the Street Commissioner more than two years ago,
with view 10 having it removed The project was
decided practicable and number Of men have been
engaged upon IT, when season and weather would per-
nit, from that time TO the present. In week ten
days more the workmen will have hosted the last
fragment Of blasted rock and the portal the East
River will be perfectly clear and safe ~ the thousands
Of vessels that continually passing description
Of the manner of procedure will be interesting:
Early every morning squad of laborers, under the
command Of an engineer, directed by Mr.. Even, of
the Street Commissioners Department put out from the
Battery to the spot, which is marked by a buoy An
immense dving-bel with seats along the inside suf-
6ciently roomy to accommodate half dozen men or
more, is entered by the workmen and lowered per-
peDdicularly, 81 feet from the tugboa by means of
windlass. The bell is of a peculiar construction,
patented by Vanburen Ryerson Instead Of an air pipe
communicating with the surface to let off foa air and
procure fresh, there is no communication whatever
except the cable, by means Of which the bell is lower
ed During the course of the day the men drive au-
gurs in the manner that they do at the Central
Park.
When they ready for blasting the bore is loaded
with waterproof bag containing powder, aud con-
nected by wire with galvanic battery on board the
tug over head. The bell is then removed, and the
simple touching Of wire the powder to ignite
and the rock is rent asunder. Rocks of immense size
are frequently separated and they do not weigh 80
heavy in water as they d. out of it, pieces eight tuns
in weight are quite easily lifted aside by means of
machinery, and carried into deep water, where they
are dropped.
Thus the work Of removing Diamond Reef has been
progressing, until the whole rock has now disappeared
-awork of no easy accomplishment, and some skiIl
in engineering.
Frequent complaints made by those employed in
blasting on the reef against tie pilots. 1t il said the
po's do not like TO Gee these rocks removed as their
services will be rendered unnecessary. They have
frequently run into the workmeu engaged and made
considerable havoc with their opera ions. On Mon
day last pilot came directly upon them ard damaged
Their machinery to a email degree. The pilots say
they cannot help it, Unless they take better care and
avoid the blasting boats they formerly did the rock
itssl the Street Commissioner viii be compelled TO
open proceedings against the next offender.
III about fifteen days another important work viii |
be begun by the awarding Of the contract for toe re-
mova OF Coeniies Reef which is located near the ex-
rein'ty Of the pier at the foot Of Coenties Slip The
81 nee embraced, according to specifications
$50 feet long by $50 feet wide the noreasterly end
pneh on the extension Of line drawn from the uteroc.
uon e eUtey tide Of South street and Ii. souhery side
Ps no East River and the south west@ry sad
H. We yx'ends go feet nom point IN the sbo,edescrbed
Sfn pit IL 80 feet from the above
@ Mean low water Is 6Ied at eight feet ne inches
one teith OF an inch below the Of the dock log at the
east corner Of pier No and l2 inches and two
,s OF IN mel below the top Of the table on the stoa
msp" e' ~ INC point on inc
Inc work is to consist in removing all "rock,
'tones, earth aud ether material" within the space
oepned TO depth Of % feet and all the material so
eAeasai'd Is to be removed to land. An endless
amount Of trouble is expected in tho matter of col
i0ns as this Is the most busy part of the great shin
Png center, which seems a market-plaoe to the
new world.
According to the estimates of the United States Coast
Survey the. rock embraces 200 cubic yards Adv.