The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1869-11-09
OPERATIONS AT BELL GATE.
Nineteen Feet Of Water on Ways Rcef-A
Bohemian,s HOAX.

Nineteen Feet Of Water on Ways Rcei-A
BoheHiian's Hoax.
Hell Gate, fun OF the old associations Of terror
proved bugbear yesterday to the quiet denizens Of
Astoria. No smaller sensation than an earthquake
was announced, and as many Of the gentle folks
who enjoy the quiet and bessedness Of rural life in
this favored part OF Long Island objected to being
swallowed up by any freak OF nature, science or
art much anxiety was felt throughout the adjoining
districts and precautions for safety were at once
taken. Nine O'Clock was announced as the hour
when the shock might be expected, and
as the hands on the dial told the ap.
proach OF the fatal moment hundreds OF
human organisms twitched with painful nervous
ness and endured indefinite variety OF alterations
from hope to fear ana fear to hope. Taking time by
the forelock, number Of ladies deserted their
luxurious SUBURBAN villas on the banks Of the East
river aud took up less advanced position relatively
to the point OF danger. or q different mind,
several persons fond OF sensation and anxious to
Witness phenomenon OF gigantic dimensions made
their way TO different parts Of the threatened
locality and there awaited IN vatn tie upheavinG
OF the waters, finding nothing more enjoyable for
their pains than the bitter blasts of biting SOUTH
panied the expectant eyes and, like Egyptian
iocusts. settled upon everything and forced It's way
an event fun OF horror, dismay aud destruction.
A circumstantlal but srratic and erroneous report
OF the dOlngS OF H. Maleiert leo 10 all THIS usS ana
furry. This Lesscps Of iiell Gate was represented
as having laid such train OF nitro-glycerne and
gunpowdcr on the "Hog's DacA" as would shake
Manhattan ana all the neighoorfhg islands INTO
sobrlety. Guy Fawkes day Just passed, with ls
incendiary associations must have suggested the
catalogue OF Calamity and horrors 10 the dl5tempered
brain OF tho scribe In question. Professor Malefort
Is not operating on the Hogs Back" Ills sub
marine successes are achieved entirely upon those
sinister qualifications OF EVIL fame known as Way's
Rect" and '.Sheldrake Rect" With the indomitable
efert has blown down the cIests OF these
walls OF refoition, and - now able TO boast or o
water course nineteen feet In depth at point where
above all others, shipping and craft require sea
room. Without accident noise or commotion Of any
kind there have been removed, by the nitro. gyce-
rine process. the full ladng Of thirty dumping mud
scoWs OF solid mica, and chiefly In large, compact
masses. Each Of these scows holds about ity cnbic
yards ana as each cubic yard weighs about two tons
100 tons Of He'll Gate have been raised and appropr
ated TO the building Of piers by Mr.. TranOrd, at
the foot OF 10th street. aud to the building OF the
sea wall between Blackwell's Island and Hammock
Rock.
Such On event as was announced ID not even
within the bounds OF possibility The one grand
properly OF nltro-gycerinc Us submarine explosive
Is that its action Is downward and almost insanta-
neouS. None oil the explosive material Is kept In the
floating magazine. When the "cans' arrive they
are lowered or hand to the points to be operated
upon. NO large Quantity OF gunpowder Is employed
In the processes-no more than Is necessary TO pro-
duce the conclusion requisite to put life into
the glycerlne. Electricity Is not, therefore, used
as direct explosive agent OF the nitro Glycerne.
contact with the powder, and the pressure and dis
placement OF the waters which follow set the power
ful and mysterious gycerlne element IN motion. An
Interesting coincidence connected with this gensa.
ton that while nervous inquiries were being mi de
at the residence OF Monsieur Mailefert as TO the
probability OF catastrophe, the hospltabe soul
quietly Issuing cards or invitation TO O lew select
friends TO small evening party. And so ends the
"Story.o