The New York herald., 1869-01-19
HE'LL cArE-orERarpss YESTERDAY.


II could scarcely have been expected that the sue
cess which attended the operation at Hell Gate last
week would continue without the recurrence OF mis-
haps similar to those which characterized the drst
attempt on Frying Pan Rock. However perfect the
machinery and decided the success Of science In
meeting engineering difhcrhties heretofore thought
to be insurmountable, the contractor for the re-
m0yal OF the Hell Gate obstructions Will always
have to contend against an enemy which is as
powerful In retreat a. In advance and Just as dan
gerous. The fearfal tide that sweeps through the
Gate ten hours out OF every twelve is the greatest
difficulty. When It IL stated that the tide con-
tinues to ebb one side Of the channel for an
and half after 1t has commenced to nood on the
oTher some idea be forsnee OF the danger Of the
ocality in which the work OF drilling the rocks is
being conducted. Two hours Is the limit
OF time In tide ~ which IL IL POSSIBLE TO keep the
barge steadily over the selected for Snb marine
operations When all the requisite buovs Tor holding
the e are orce securely fastened the contractor
thinks he win be abe 10 WORK un'nterrupteily and
In defiance OF tideand weather. Until that anxoasy
desired object is attained however, the progress OF
the work will be necessarily Aow.
Yesterday was not ~ any Y1nans favorable for
working at Hell Cate. The snow fell nblindinr fakes,
and an easterIy gale of no ordinnrv force irtated
the water already disturbed hv the action OF the
Sound currents until 1t foamed around the rocks in
white. angry waves. Nevertheless Mr.. ShelbOurDe.
the contractor. started from Jersey City early
on board the Wallace acconDanfad by nis
assistants and Mr.. Scott. rhe diver. and
proceeded to the scene OF his Intended operations.
good deal Of time was LOST in getting the machine
ready: but when at last inst as the tide was unde-
cded whether TO run IN, down around the rocks
and paused to consider, the drill vas safely low
cred over the side and steam being turned on,
the unseen agent began to work on .
rib OF the Hog on whose back the ves-
sci was temporarily moorei. After the lapse
OF an hour and half, during which Mr.. Scott was
engaged In fixing his head uear and lying on the
enormous Ieaden shoes. Mr.. Shebourne got i'm
patient, and anyiousy watched the movements OF
the signal bell, which, as has already been described
rings when the drill has reached ts fn length In the
was then discovered that the connecting wire was
broken. No time was lost in sen ling down the
diver. He crawled over the side and held on to the
gunwale with hts enormous paws for some minutes
before dropping down into the bubpling water, In
which his feet swung to and fro. and then voice
was heard. which sounded as IL the utterer was q
mile on and sick IN his stomach, and one
OF the men nut crowbar in Mr.. scott's
hands, after which ne sunk deeper wabbled bis head
and disappeared. he was down aome fve or six
minutes when ting at the line announced that he
wanted to have something done INF rtunatcly the
man who was in attendance was not accustomed to
the signals and mistake was committed which re-
suited In the breaking OF the "chuck' rope. The
diver remained below some time longer and then
siqnaed 10 be drawn up There was some difficulty
In getting him fn she several ropes and the air pipe
having got entancled together but he was
the machine had descended on the edee OF two rocks
and that the drill PLAYED between them in deep
assure o. course without ary resilt The hole was
deep that he could not reach the bottom OF with
his feet while holding on with his hands to the
edge OF the rocks. The drill. therefore, merely
tckled the Hog's Back, instead OF boring
1t as was expected When these facts we're reported
TO Mr.. Shebourne the dF was raised to the surface
and safety put on board. The tide was now on the
turn and further efforts had be postponed until
to-dav The buoy for which q hoe was drilled on
Tuesday last Ia found 10 he IN the wrong place, and
another win have to be put down twenty or thirty
yards nearer Frying Pan EockA