The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-09-16
PREPARING AT HELL GATE.
WHAT NAY DELAY THE FIRING OF
THE DYNAMITE MINES.
THO Loading OF the Primers Where men
have to Learn TO tDdurc Hesdncbos-
Down In the Avenue Uudor the River.

THO Loading OF the Primer-- Where men
have to Learn 10 Epdure Heeda cbes-
Down In the Avenue Uuder the River.
The supply of dynamite at the IIcll Gate
excavations was exhausted early yesterday
afternoon, and the boat that should have
brought tho last cargo failed TO arrive. This
failure OF the contractors may somewhat retard
the explosion. II the boat arrives before noon
to-day all the holes will bo CHARGED before sun
set and tho original programme will he followed.
Tue total number OF groups charged yesterday
was 185. having $500 holes and about ten thou
sand cartridges. This leaves twenty four groups
TO be charged to-day.
The daoRerous task OF loading the primers
was begun yesterday In small sheds adjoining
the works. TDe sign Of mo admission" has
not been put up on these sheds. nor are the men
both cred by questions from visitors. In each
sh cd are two mon seated at table whercon
lies q hod-sbaped box containing what looks
like yellow sanu, or very superior brown sugar.
IL IL, however, the most powerful OF all ex.
piosives, fact that the men seem not to care
for, as they hold the copper tubes In each of
which pound OF the material Is rammed down
with a pestie. These men have gone through a
terrible tri before thev ire bic to- work TO sd
vantage with this material, as tho mere touch OF
| !. gives rackiDg head. che, commencing over
the eyes and encircling the head rs with band
of iron beng screwed tgnter and tighter. by
slow degrees only 10 II possible 10 set ac-
pressed il. =" }elt for a month as IL was learn
ing to use tobacco ana was doing it on stale
"Cone down to the furthest face in the head
ings." said Mr.: Boyle, accoutfed cai - pic IN
silskin, yeste,dSy' IAN, land We Sill take a walk
! by the worgmen boulevard Greeley, on account
Of the great how OF water slsays to he tounl
here. 1ne one that has least water Ia II Is
naiIed after the President. In this subter-
ranean city OF explosives. avenues, lanes. aud
streets stretch out IN all directions intersecting
| each other. forming DlOCka of solid rock. In
| which rest the destructive materials. Beyond
the nfth cross street, one penetrating this lacy
| ninth nds the ltgnt becoming uncertain, an
| after the seventh. everything is enveioped 10
| perfect darkness. except wnsIe the feeUle rays
| OF tue visitors Limp Rlinmer family.
| Then the galieries become narrow and the
| damp ohiily air Is heavy with the dissagreeable
odor OF the oil | -mps that flicker aud dance ike
| will of.the-wisps IN the distance The splash a.
Ing of the mems FOO steps in the water, an the
scrat Ing sound Of the ,in csrtrsses Ss ,hey are
| sounds that relieve the solemn silence. The
water through which ooe must wade exploring
here, Is knee deep. Al 30 feet from tue sh.tt
| the SHARP pointed rocks almost touch tall
mans be ID, and the breadth Of the gallery Is
| decreased to six feet. Here the water no longer
| orvps and trickles out rusnes sngriiy down IN
oetaracts. Kissing as tney come through the
Mr.. Boyle carried a small miners lamp. tu-
| minstiDg N -rrow spaces Of tue rugged walls,
somore gray, beneath q sheet Of LIQUID d,sm ond .
| reueotins the orange glaze OF the lisnt. WORK
| men, passing TO snd fro, came out from DARK
| dark plsces, or were simply heard, now SUD then,
plasnins In the water, ss u large seini 90 ustio
| beasts were hurrs Ing out OF the explorers way.
| At $50 feet from the shaft party Of 10 ,ders
| were seen working In the dim light OF tneir
| en- all lamps hooked on the bands Of their hats.
| 1ns constant and heavy downpour of water,
| coming even through toe holes 10 be Charged.
| makes tho labor Uf charging very dihicult In.
| deed. and frequenIy expnguishes tue lamps.
| At best the gut Is but dini anu uncertain aud
pucn Of the work Is done by feeling. AZ the
| uarxness wss intensified, tue afr dzmper aud
| heavier, while the roadway was sunk deep De
nssth food Of inky waters. lbis fscs or end 10
$50 feet from the main shaft, and over q the
water Of the Est river is tbrty-eient feet deep.
Making the circuit OF the entire excavation
with SIR. Boyle. 1BR SUN reporter founa twenty
charging y .rties at work
| Gen. Newton remained at the works durtns
the whole oay. HIS indefi,iesbie care and pa
uent klnd ness have won for him the ooDndenoe
ana affection OF the IN en-, and they seem To fce
about. He has advised the people Of Astoria "a
open all their windows and doors when the eK
plusiOn takes place.
The ferry company running boats to the Asto-
ria landing hav positively refused to carry snl
| package marked with Gen New tons natne, and
the most innocent ounuies have 10 bs Drought
up In private boats.
The best view To be had OF the explosion will
| be from the south point of Wards Isl nd. Tue
| high ground between Ntnetieth and Ninety
sixtn street, or the New York shore, wiI q 81
aEord all excellent view, and stands arc already
being erected for hire to sisht-seers, by specu
iatiye property holders in this vicinity. In Wis
t1ng several Eentlemsn whose grounds adtoit
the works. the SUN reporter found no Zee
among them, out a perfect faitn In Gen
Newton and hts assistants, ana confidence tns
| timely warning will be gwen OF any DANGER u
necessity tor extraordinary caution. DurDl
| yesterday several visitors attempted TO psss th
one- srmed Cerberus AZ the gate, near the Nine
tietb street ferry, out were excluded In compli
| anoe with the Generals perem ptory orders.