The New York herald., 1876-09-22
The Great Blast at Hallett's Point
on Sunday Next.
iENERAL NEWTONS PROCLAMATION.
Strong Contrasts Of Feeling Among the
Residents of Astona.
Is THERE DANGER OR NOT ?

government works al He'll Gate, and there now re-
mans no doubt that the So 900 pounds OF dynamite,
rendrock and vulcan powder lying under the treach-
reef will be fred on Sunday next That the au
shoritics are confident OF being ready in time evil
don't from she following proclamation seut to this
ONCE last night
GENERAL SEwroN's PROCLAMATION
UNITED STATES WORKS. HALLKTr's POINT I
ASTORIA. L. l., Sept Il, 1870.
To EDITOR THE HERALD
The explosion at Hell Gate is fixed for Sunday, tho
gath inst, nj ten minutes to three y. Sheer
sty has compelled appointment OF this day which,
many other respects, is Objectionable Guard boats
will be stationed the East River at tho heaa of
Backwos Island and at the southeast point of Wards
Island line OF guard boats will also be stationed
OF the Great and Little Mil reefs, exlendipg IRON
Wards Island obilucly to the New York pier line.
space will thus be formed having radiu OF about
600 yards measure from Hallets Point which will be
Kept clear of boats at and the time OF explosion
After the explosion vessels should give Hallets Point
a wide BERTH the surface of the reef may points
be elevated above tho present level AS soon pos
sble AFTER the explosion tho reef will be marked out
with buoys. Spectators warned
Astoria on the day named as there are no points In
the town from which the explosion can be secn while
Gordon OF police and regular soldiers Will keep spec
tators back to considerable distance from Hallctts
Point
The best points for the view will be from tho New
York shore and from Wards Island A panic has
been created TO some extent by persons who have
knowledge OF the matter except what been derived
from explosions OF powder and other explosives the
open air
Explosives imbeddcd in rock in small charges, and
respects widely different upon tho surrounding me-
drum.
There will be commotion of tho air, and the un
derground effect will be sufficient only 10 jar buildings
without rupturing or cracking the walls
Persons particularly in the neighborhood would do
we'll at least 10 have windows and doors opened and 10
look out for their ceilings The best thing to do would
be TO stand outdoors until the explosion is over
The mine Will be fred at the precise moment named
JOHN NEWTON,
Lieutenant Colonel of Engineers Brcvct Major General
TIE PREPARATIONS.
At early hour yesterday morning begun the
work OF '.primng," or inserting the explodent
ridges the holes already charged with explosives
Tho latter work completed on the previous night
when the last hole charged ana the last dyna-
mits-stuilcd iron pipes placed in position by nno
O'Clock The work of printing is Immediately super
vised by Mr. julius Striedingcr and clad from head
to foot in suit OF india rubber, that
gentleman FLASHED through tho waters Of
the heading all day yesterday directing his force The
entire number OF upon the grounds was placed at
this work. and accordingly it went forward with great
ceerity. Much more could have been accomplished,
however, ii the primers were all prepared For lack Of
dynamite tho men engaged in packing the explodent
cartridges with this material obliged to
idle their hands other work for several days,
and consequently the primers which should otherwise
have been ready, only being filed. Almost 100
groups twenty holes each filed, however, yester.
day. and It expected that the entire 1S9 groups will
be filled tonight though 1t may be necessary
have the work little hours to accomplish
It. very large number of visitors appied for adms-
sion during the day but they almost universally
refused. Among the visitors who called and were
admitted TO the tunnels by General Newton personally,
were Colonel Marlborough Bcy, of Constantinope,
Chief Of Torpedo Corps OF the Turkish Army, who Is
now stopping in this city; General Ward b. Burnett
and Admiral G. W. Blunt These gentlemen, particu-
arly the Turk (who, by the way, is
scolchman), were very much interested in the
work and delighted with the prospect
Df its speedy ard successful consummaton.
So soon each group of holes charged Mr.
striedingcr tested tho completeness of the circuit with
q small gavanometer carefully adjusted for tho pur
pose Each wro had previously been tested separately
three different times, and they will be tested once
again before the final circuit Is formed The operation
of testing the wires after the primers are in The holes
Is very delicate one and requires careful manipula
tion. one end OF the wire is forced IN contact with
pole OF the gavanometcr aud the other end
IS .,hen touched to the other pole OF tho
instrument, thus forming complete circuit and
causing to flow through every percussion cap
every hole. OF course, II the current were strong
enough the platinum within the cap and connect
Ing the ends OF the circuit wire would be heated and
premature explosion would take place. AS 1t is, how
ever the instrument is adjusted SO as to cause cur.
Just strong enough warm the wire throughout
and move the index OF the instrument little-just
enough to show that the circuit Is complete In con-
battery
A CONFINED CIRCUIT WILL BE USED,
consisting OF eight groops OF twenty holes each, the
holes beng connected IN continuous circuit and
tho groups derived forming thus
on" compete circuit which is attached TO the
battery aud current closer by two leading wires OF
larger SIZE. In This way only fortys,x wires, repre-
sentug twcny-thrcc such combination groups Will be
attached TO the battery One advantage has been taken
OF the physical law that the most ecoGomca arrange
OF battery TO make its internal resistance
equal to the external resistance OF current. The
Is about fifteen ohm which makes Tor ory cells Just
six ohms internal resistance, which answers the
ternal resistance of the current used.
One of the fishermen the point yesterday
caught curious fish OF kind never before seen
the vicinity and 1t surrounded by curious group
when brought to land. The party at 6ncc gave 1t the
of pilot FISH, and gave IL as their opinion that
II had come TO all other Ash to leavo the waters
before being ovcrtaken by the explosion which 1t is
anticipated Will klil every fish within a mile OF tho
mine
rKHLrSa OF THE RESIDENTS
As the time for tho great blast comes nearer and
the excitement of the residents OF Astoria, Ra
venswood and Hunters Point grows more and moro
intense Persons who have all along been nervous,
not actually frightened, preparing to pay visits to
their friends in New Jersey TO make trip to the
Ccntennal, while those who have heretofore
proiosssd TO have perfect confidence IN the
Statements OF General Newton and consequently in
the harmiessncss OF the big explosion, begin to show
signs OF weakening" ana to speak OF what might oc-
should the calculations OF the distinguished engi
neer prove incorrect Not few persons have pre-
pared to leave the place to-day tomorrow. II Is
somewhat curious fact that the greatest fear is iolt by
OF the explosion Residents OF Raveuswood and
Hunters Point exhibit much more fear than the peo-
pie of Astoria, and the few families who occupy
houses with stones throw OF the mine are
tbe most undisurbrd ofall. The of this prob
ably is that tho people OF the immed vicinity have
become educated up to the fearless standpoint Long
before the present work undertaken the old resi-
dents became familiar with the effects Of powerful
posves through tho operations Of Professor Maofert
and others upon the scattered rocks the channel op
poste Astoria The present work has been progress
FOR about FIVE years, and during shat period
NIT X
plosives have been In constant IN
blasting the Ga 600 cubic yards OF rock which been
excayaed Even tho least intelligent and least observ
Ing nhabtant cannot have helped noticing through all
these years with what scientific skill nndcarc every
port,on OF the work been projected and executed
and with what untring zeal the officials charge have
superintendcd II. From day TO day from month
TO month and year year they have marked the
propress of the work until they have become accus-
iaaed In IL and 10 look npon IL permanent feat uro