The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-10-25
HE'LL GATE IMPROVEMENTS.

NEW YORK, OCT. "a, 1858.
To THE EDITOR or THE HERALD
notice your report of a meeting OF the east
River Improvement Association" aud the remarks
OF General Newton, and as wish to get all the light
! can on the Hell Gate improvement, would like to
ask few questions. As TO surveys Newton is re-
ported to say:-"The first was made by Admiral Por-
ter twenty years ago; the next by MI. Davis, and
the third in 1856, by Lieutenant Craven. These were
only partial surveys of the rocks TO get estimates Of
the probable expense of their removal" Am TO
believe these were all the surveyss Are there no
perfected surveys made by or under the supern-
tendence Of Prof. A. d. Bache, United States Coast
Survey Did not Major Fraser, OF the United States
Engineers. make full surveys with drawings OF some
OF the rockss l think have seen Major Fraser's
drawings at Washington, aud was led to suppose
they were true and full.
Again he says:--"At that time II suppose 1850 the
art OF blasting 10 It's infancy and the expense OF
removing great reefs seemed beyond the power OF
II seems that Professor Maillefert did not at that
time before think the removal OF He'll Gate rocks
February III 1852 ana YOU will fnd:--'sThe discovery
Of this new mode OF blasting rocks under water
without drilling-the value Of which has been de-
monstrated by the removal Of one OF the most dan
ger0us rocks In the world from the very borders OF
whrlpool-is worth millions to commerce. Pot Rock
mo 10 q Se Gate Sy any
that has used this great thoroughfare for the
last twenty years. The whirlpool has ceased
its roar for IL longer exists" The justice OF this
article was made apparent In 1865. when the secre
tary Of the Shipmaster's Association sad:-"I have
examined the reports OF marine disasters with
special reference TO those occurring at Hell Date,
and find losses reported "a occurring at Pot
Rock" SO Maillefert did try aud did succeed. Per-
haps ms MaeIert did not drill II was no success. but
the rock washed away. Surveys as reliable as we are
likely to get (being government surveys show that
where there were eight or nine feet there Is now
tweuty-pne twenty two feet OF water.
By referring to the Fifth Annual Report OF tho
Regents Of the University page 62), you can 1nd-
This enterprise presented two very important con.
Hderations. The first was the removal oil the dan
gerous rocks from this great thorouglfare; the
second 10 afford Mailleert the opportunity OF de-
monstratng conclusvely the effect OF his new sys-
TEN OF blasting rock without drilling, by
using the water as a fulcrum. The result has been
most satisfactory. and commerce "a well as science
will reap great and lasting benefits from the dis
covery, and men Of science will be admonished TO
regard facts as far safer than theory TO build upon"
Again, Newton says "tIe subject was better under.
stood at the present day. Can you inform me OF
any other plan than Mailleerts that has been used
at that ponu like facts, not theory. VIII admit
other plans have been submitted, but have they been
proved have they been made factsy Till they have,
what better understanding have we now than IN
1856. felt on reading the report referred 10 IN your
issue OF yesterday that Professor Maileer win MS
energy. skill and pluck for the good OF the com.
mercal world had been ignored. Time mas not
wiped out the remembrance OF Maillefert We
should keep before the public his name aud deeds
and your valuable jour mai IL the best medium known
to AN OLD NEW YORKER.