The New York herald., 1875-11-03

Tho following the report OF the Board of nglneers
on removing the distractions in East River and He'll
Gate, at New York.
HALLErT's POINT
Work was resumed at this place in the latter part OF
July, 1874, after suspension dating from the middle
OF November 1873 due the exhaustion of the appro
pration The progress of the work of excavation may
be seen by glancing at the sketch sent herewith.
SKETCH.
Besides the driving Of tunnels in tho eastern portion
Of the excavation the operations principally
lined TO decreasing the dimensions of the piers Prog
ress has likewise been made in perforating piers and
the roof in preparation for the final explosion which
1876 and 1877. The excavation of rock has
been completed Experiments will be made to
determine the best mode of exploding the large
number OF blast holes needed for the demolition of the
whole rock. The minimum amount of explosives
would be determined by placing one charge in every
square pier and two in the oblong pers but this mode
would make the lines Of least resistance the maximum,
and thus increase the shock which would be propa-
gated through the reef the dwellings upon land.
Hence determined upon a decrease Of the lines OF
least resistance, which will multiply the number Of
blasts and increase the quantity of explosives but viii
AT the same time reduce to a minimum the vibrating
influence through the reef The exterior effect except
an agitation of the water, will be null
For details oil the work of the fiscal year respect
fully refer TO the report Of Captain William H. Heuer,
Corps of Engineers. and the tabuated report sent
herewith After the explosion there will remain to be
removed large quantity, say 81, 600 cubic yards,
Of material by the aid OF the grapple in
order to obtain the depth OF twentysx feet at mean
low water This may be done at contract and ut a cost
not to exceed SIS So per cubic yard In order to pro-
vide receptacle Tor the debris of the roof and by
the method Of excavating deeper nearly double the
quantity OF rock before cited would require excavation,
and at greater cost per cubic yard
FLOOD
The removal Of this rock Is likewise under the super
intendence of Captain Heuer 1t was commenced under
authority from the chief Of engineers June 7, 1875
and shaft 10 by 20 feet and 10 feet deep has been ex
cavated. This work has been commenced principally
by hand labor but fast the machinery at Haetts
pon can T oe spared WIZ 90 dho roas hch
Flood Rock s the visible projection, is perhaps double
that of Hallett's Point
Feet Of hole drilled by machine. 68
Feet OF hole drilled by hand. nd......-.......... 51o
Cubic yards removed. 10
srEAM-DRILI1Sa scow.
Operations were commenced upon Ways Reef In
rock reduced from the level OF IT, to that OF 20
feet at mean low water. The report dated March 9,
1875, Of Mr. H Stredinger assistant engineer super
intending these operations, having been already trans
mted to the chief of engineers have respectfully TO
refer to it for the details OF tho work.
Cubic yards removed, 3,029.
Explosives used-For 65 drill-hole blasts, 15, 30S
pounds nitro -glycerne
For l6 surface blasts 1,4s4 pounds nltro-gycerne
For l surface blast, 3SH pounds dynamite
Number of holes drilled, 262
Number of feet drilled, 2130.4
Average depth of holes, s. 13 feet
Average depth drilled per machine, per shift Of
Average depth drilled for each sharpening, s1a feet
Expenditures of steel 10 each foot drilled ounces
coEYTRs
On May a. 1875, the steam drilling scow, after an in
work upon Coentes Reef This reef will be removed
to the depth OF Is feet at mean low water in the early
part of August The following work has been done:-
Number Of holes drilled ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS. 126
Number Of feet drilled NEUTRALITY-SUSPICIOUS.. 900 SM
Nitro-gycerne used for 20 drhole blasts lbs eo37H
Nitro gycerne used for surface blasts, lbs-. 219H
Amount OF rock removed by grapple cubic y'ds 654
DIAMOND
The steam grapple while not engaged In removing
debris from Coenties Reef has been employed in un-
covering the area of Diamond Reef TO determine the
amount OF fast rock to be removed
Amount of stone removed, cubic yards .413
HARLEM RIVER
The improvement of this river was included In the
appropriation OF June %, 1874 for East River and
He'll Gate The piers and abuments of the old bridge
of 114th street were removed by dredging machine.
Amount of debris removed, cubic yards. 260
Coenties Reef and Shelldrake will it is expected be
removed during the fiscal year ending June 30, 1870
and considerable progress made in tho removal Of Dia
mond Reef
Amount asked to be appropriated for the
fiscal year ending June 80, lS77:-
Graphing rock at Haetts Point. $3.50 900 90
Continuing work Flood Rock ......... 200, 900 90
Work on Diamond Reef and Frying Pan. 10000 90
Total. $3.50, 900 90
These amounts designed for specific purposes are the
least that can be asked for continuous and economical
work
Reefs at Hell Gate 2a4, 4el cubic yards, at - -
Diamond and Coentes reefs. $449 800 90
Total. .................. IS, lsa, 12o 90
Deduct amount reverted to
United States Treasury. 3,15S 55
l6s6, ,S4l as
Amount expended. 1434,1 ,122 80
Amount expended during year ending
June 80, 1876
Excavation. at Halett's Point. ... 12l, ,3s7 e3
Steam drilling ow................... 101, ,539 Is
Removing distractions in Harlem River. 1926 "a
Total. $226, ,2O3 81
FINANCIAL STATEMENT
Balance In tho Treasury OF the United
states, July l. 1874 s225, 900 90
bis check, July /, 1874 74............... - s.a22 Is
March 8, i576 .....:............. 25o,ooO 90
Amount expended during fiscal year ending
June 80, 1875. northumberland. 22o 2u3 50
Amount available July !, 1875. 252 718 40
June 30, iS77. S77..............:...... 10000 90
REPORT oP CAPTAIN W. IL
UNITED STATRs WORKS. HALLBTT's PoryT
ASTORIA, N. Y, July 3, 1878.
Lieutenant Colonel JOHN NEWTON, Corps Of Engineers