The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-06-28

aud full and rather humorous account OF
the vicissltudes encountered was on each occa-
and after some delay the contract was then awarded
to him. He was required to complete his work SO
as to give twentysx feet soundngs by the LIST of De-
cember In case he failed TO do this he was not to
receive cent Through repeated ana vexatlous
delays, arising from causes over which he had no
CONTROL the beginning OF the undertaking was post
poned from week 10 week, and though when he did
get at work he reduced the rock with astonishing
rapidity, he could only show on the LIST OF Decem-
Der, 1882
NINETEEN FEET soUNDISGs
on Ways Reef ana II .-lo on Shell Drake He
asked for an extension o. time, ana kept at work
awhile longer, but no notice was taken OF his APP
In January, 1862 there was published in the
HERALD, In addition to several lengthy articles on
this subject, report showing the number OF vessels
data in regard to the number Of passengers and
value OF cargoes both average and aggregate. The
at Execution Light. From August 10 December
30, 1858, there passed 2, 49, steamers ships -
barks, 4se briggs, 1859 scnooners and 4649 sloops
The daily average OF passengers and crews gave
1900 souls. The total value OF vessels passing in
four months was s736, 10000, or an average OF
Se000,030 passed through each day on steamers
and 100000 was carried through on sailing
In 1869, Congress having made an appropriation
OF $l,ooo.o0o towards harbor and river improve
ments at large the Secretary Of war apportonedi
shat year Major General John Newton began sys-
TEN OF operations IN behalf OF the United states gov
dred feet in length extending out INTO the bend Of
the channel al Halletts Point.
AT once
WAR OF WORDS
ensued in certain quarters, and the most damaging
statements to all Interested parties and
their plans were circulated. The old pilots and
wreckers living In the vicinity OF the "Gateh swore
roundly that II Hallett's point was removed the tide
would set into Pot Cove and throw every vessel
that passed through the channel at ebb tide directly
and certainly on the Gridiron rocks. Then there
were many just aud kindly people who lived in the
vicinity, and who knew how Maiefort had come
there possessed OF small competence earned as
"ToLER OF THE SEA-"
IN raising wrecks o. vessels ~ nassau ana 9iasting
fully he went at the work how month after month,
and year after year, government delays and lack OF
a nsS.t ae e al n ana se ACCIDENT wHe Of
1882. he. with NJ. Rassalon, then o civil
Wan Of the Kingdom Of denmark, persisted in de-
molishlng smaller and dangerous rocks till nearly
every dollar he had in me world had been spent.
with several other rocks. These good and honest
people alluded too were never tired OF sounding
they often endeavored to connect his embarrass.
ments with General Newton's plans, which was
sG e so ass an y ceea
Of tune, found vent now and then in the
from SIndignant,n Justice" Fair Play" and
all those well known anonymous characters
who are ever ready to WELD free lance That
there s very little difference Of opinion and probably
much less personal feeling between these two gen.
tlemen wao are each working .S for common end
made by each OF them to the writer, within week
past, will sufficiently indicate:--
GENERAL MENTIONS STATEMENT OF OPERATIONS AT
HALLETTs POINT.
The government said General Newton, has
the rocks at Haletts Point considering it cheaper.
better and more safe than TO attempt TO blast the
rocks from the surface Of the water Kadiating tun-
nes are run out to the full extent OF the rock to be
removed, and ut intervals cross galleries formed
connecting them. The intervening piers VIII be re-
moved to the smallest diameter or ii It is found that
IL may be done with safety they will entirely re-
moved ny dry blasting. roof or rock covering Will
be left over ALL and viii remain intact for about nine
ten feet In thickness. The depth now reached be-
low low water mark is tnrty-two feet, and II, as
believed the piers can be removed without hazard
depth OF twelve feet will be made. by explosion
the shell OF rock overhead will then be preclptated
Ia the basin followed out To receive IL, leaving the
low water depth al least twcnty-six feet. IL is !
TO REMOVE THE GRIDIROs
In the same manner. The government has now a |
steam drilling apparatus In operation on COenIies
Rect. BY Ii the surface Of Diamond Reef has been
broken up. None OF the rock, SIX seven hundred |
yards, has been removed as vet, but be taken |
away any timc The rock is drilled with this ma.
nitro ciycerine are used in blasting PROBABLY by
this machine the remainder OF Frying Pan, Pot |
Rock. Ways Reef aud Shell Drake In Hell Gate win |
be removed, as well as the channel rocks In the |
East river. After some incidental conversation, |
General Newton stated that no estimate had as yet
Deen FORMED o. Tue tlic TtquUeu LOT tue COmpletOn
OF the work al Hallctrs Point.
STATEMENT REGARDING THE PAST AND |
PRESENT.
NJ Maiefort who has for nearly a year been alb
sent from the city and engaged In removing obstruc-
tons under contract from the James river In vir-
Rlnia returned TO his home In Astoria last |
week In accordance with previously made ar
rangement the writer called upon him at early |
moment moment. ana ia a lengthy conversation N:
past and present OF Hell Gate. FIRST OF all, In
regard To General Newton's operations az Haletps
hA Ontl I'm. ft..V.
ably OF very great benefit and the statements that
have been made TO the contrary are simply absurd