The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-09-25
The Extent Of the Concus.ion.

The United States Torpedo School at
Willetts Point, under command Of Gen. II. L..
Abbott, made experiments as to the distances
at which the conclusion was felt by tho sells
ometer, but no special appropriation Of money
having been made by the Government for their
use, they confined themselves to such inuru-
ments as they possessed, and had stations only
at Astoria. Fresh Pord Junction. Jamaica,
Springfield Junction, wiletsts Point. and West
Point. IL was thought that a conclusion might
possibly be felt even at West Point, owing to
the rocks there forming part OF the range to
which ;he liallett's Point belonged. Springfield
Junction, at a distance OF twelve miles, was con-
sdered about as far eastward upon Long
Island as the jar would be experienced, ,
and Lieut.. s. :. Lecch was stationed there
with three men. Lieut.. willard Young
was at Jamaica, and Lieut.. d. c. Kingman at
Fresh Pond. each with the same number OF as
Willetts Point, and Gen. Abbott took post
ton in the little granite bath house connected
with MIR. Woossy's villa, about two hundred
4. N. Miller, w. X. Livermore, and Thomas NJ.
Hanbury OF Gen. Abbotts command, each at
tended with sixteen men. for the purpose OF
forming Gordon round the scene OF explosion,
aud Lieut.. Henry ;. Taber acted as ad djutant to
the General. carrying his orders to various
points. and beipg principally stationed AZ the
Astoria telegraph ONCE. One or two officers OF
the Long Island CITY police attended each de-
granted by Mayor De Bovoise.
, The mode OF ascertaining at the different sta.
,ions whether shock was felt. to use technical
Language. was 10y means OF an artificial horizon
OF mercury resting on the ground. Two teles-
copes pointed downward upon this horizon, one
OF which had the eve piece Withdrawn. The
cross hairs iD this were reflected In the mer-
curry, and on being watched through the other
telescope, any vibration In the mercury could
he detected through their images. The West
Point and wiett's Point stations being on the
telegraph line the officers there trusted to their
chronometers, with a view Of subsequently
comphrlng observations by telegraph
The wire to Astoria was. for the time being,
made the main line from the chief station OF the
MeWern Union Telegraph Company 10 New
ork, ana extended from Astoria To the Long
Island points mentioned, and the closing Of the
circuit at the mine sent the signal Town this
line. Gen. Abbott. by means Of a relay and
register. aud sidereal chronometer, registered
by dots upon telegraph paper the instant OF the
explosion, which ranged from $50 Z. NJ. to 2:5l.
The exact period, to half a second, given by bis
Instrument and those OF bis officers, could not
be ascertained yesterday. II Is to be calculated
AT Wietts Point this week. On requesting re-
suits from Springfield Gen. Abbott learned that
the shock, though definite, was barely percept
Bile. At Jamaica II was distinct, and also at
rfssh Pond. where slight defec, in the Morse
West Point Lieut.. Bass answered that no con
cusson WAS experienced.
=. The bulletin sent after the explosion by Mr..
Bogert. the Western Union telegraph represent
alive at Astoria, to the chief cities of the Union
and Canada, was as follows;
First gun for preparation, 225 p Mi observation gun
aeonatioa great a. was anticipated, but the
rng OF the blast was perfect and everything passed
isanc. The passage II open
The shock WAS felt slightly In Hoboken. In
Ridgewood. N. j.. twenty three u,ilcs from the
after the explosion. In passaic the water was
visibly disturbed. In Rutherford Park. nearer
this city, nothing was heard or felt. Tue vitra.
Ton was felt rs far as Bronxville, on the Harlem
Railroad.