The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1868-08-05

The Work Of Removal Near at Hand.

The Work of Removal Near at Hand.
At length there Is prospect, after many years OF
weary waiting, that the first experiment will soon
be made towards shivering breach in Hell Gate
and demonstrating to the entire satisfaction Of the
sceptics and unbeevers that science backed up
with little money can triumph over some Of the
most stubborn caprices Of nature Congress- In
virtuous fit of retrenchment cut down the appro-
priation asked for this improvement from $37s0oo
to $S5, 0O0 With the latter sum, however, though
mere paltry handful for the magnitude of the opera
tons contemplated, General Newton, OF the United
States Engineer Corps, intends to set bravey to work
very shortly and hold on until every cent Is con-
sumed, but not until he has shown that by reason
able expenditure Of money time and talent He'll
Gate can be rendered no longer scarecrow and pro-
voking nuisance to mariners, downright Injury to
the commerce OF the port OF New York and a re-
prOach to the skill and enterprise OF the people OF
Roek srfFas ns Pan Ways Reef Shell Drake and
others puverized and pulled out OF the way grand
channel over three hundred feet wide Will. be
seem e viii NV Whirsn the 1' Waters Of the East river
General Newton will be ready to go to work as soon
commercial gentlemen who are most deeply inter:
ested in the Improvement decide as to which rock II
would be most advisable to operate upon IN the
start It must be borne in mind that only $4,000
have been appropriated and Is therefore, the part
Not that it can effect much and indeed, it is a mat
ter OF indifference at what part OF Hell Gate the
blasting i'll this instance begins; FOR the appropria-
ton is so small that nothing more than expert
ment TO show the feasibility of the project can posi-
bly, be expected
General Newton is as sanguine as ever that when
he commences operations he will amply satisfy the
public that the work be done in accordance with
the figures laid down i'm his report, which was pub
lished IN the HERALD OF May 49, and stated in round
numbers the time necessary for the improvements
six years, the expense $5500,000. The contractor
has not yet been selected Whoever he may be 10 fs
pretty certain he will dispense with blasting powder
ami use nitro-g cerine. Being government job,
and the lowest bidder, II he gives responsible &C.
curity, being the one who is always selected,
it will be necessary the contractor IL he meditates
making profit to some agent that viii econ0-
mile time and operate more etfectualy than gun!
powder II Is a good suggestion that the pilots Of
the Sound steamers call Immediately at the ONCE OF
the Pilot Commissioners, No. 40 Burling slip, and
leave such Information there as will aid General
Newton In his abors. OF course 1t is fair to expect
that when the funds arc exhausted and sufficient
done 10 show that all the distractions can be sue
cessfully removed Congress will make an additional
appropriation without unnecessary delay.
Failing in this the merchants OF New York will
surely not permit task well begun, and promising
such Immense results to Perish for want OF support
until those persons already mentioned suggest the
most advisable spot to begin the process of blasting.
General Newton cannot positively say when he will
be ready to assault the salients OF He'll Gate. The
five millions and little less than half which he sets
down for the entire work would not only be applied
to the creation and clearance OF channel but would
also the expense OF steering the rocks by the
shore and rendering every portion OF the entrance
as safe as human engineering can accomplish It,