Public ledger. [volume] (Memphis, Tenn.) 1865-1893, 1876-09-25
The Mine Exploded with
out a Single Accident.
The Affair a Complete Success and
the Whole Rect Blown Up.
A Multitude Of People Witness the
Spect Gle.

city and an upheaval Of two columns Of
water, accompanied with a considerable
quantity Of rock, which all fell into the
river, Hallet's Point Reef at He'll Gate
was demolished yesterday afternoon.
The triumph Of American engineering
accomplished by General John Newton
was completed in the precise time and
manner intended and without a single
accident.
About u o'clock streams of pedes-
TRANS we're vending their way across
the city to points of observation on the
East side. Vast numbers of strangers
came to the city to see what everybody
expected would be a magnificent spec
tacle. Street cars going up town we're
loaded with citizens, and First and Sec
ond avenues, as viewed from the nights,
were black with pedestrians moving to-
ward Ninetieth street.
About two o clock the cross streets and
avenues, from which a view could be had,
we're swsrming with people, and the
house tops along the east side were
crowded; thousands Of vehicles OF every
description filled the heights and cross
streets. Great alarm prevailed among
the residents Of First avenue and the
cross streets from Forty-second to Niuc
tieth streets, aud some houses we're ell
tirely deserted through fear Of rocks be
ing hurled across the river, or a huge
wave being caused by the upheavel.
Every house in the vicinity had its doors
and windows open, as a matter of pre-
caution, but the great mass o. the people
had no fears whatever, and swarmed on
the piers and low grounds directly in a
line with the rock OF where they would
be drowned by the thousands in case Of
a wave. The police lined the First and
Second Avenues, and were stationed
among the crowds on the rocks to be
available in a. Of a panic. The birds
eye view Of the point of interest was held
BY 10000 or 10, 900 people, at the heights
between Ninety-second and Niuety-sixth
streets, at Third avenue, where there are
no houses. Directly opposite across the
river was Hsllets Point, and timbers
and shanties at the opening Of the shaft
nearly midway in the river; but a trife
to the north was Little Island, with a
boat house a few hundred yards to the
south Of Little Rock, surrounded by an
advertising board. The rock to be
blasted lay beneath the surface between
Little Island and Hallet's Point.
The government scow and police and
emigration board steamer and hundreds
Of bsrges and steamboats, lay between
New York and Wards Island, about op-
posite 10th street.
At 2 o'clock a faint puff Of smoke
arose from the scow, followed by a report
Of the first gun, aud there was instant
commotioD, the crowds swaying about il
fresh ssgerness to get a good standpoint
Ten minutes later another report and &
deep hush fell upon the multitude. The
: stiffness was unbroken from then unit
the third gun, at ten minutes to three
which was followed by an explosion. In
straight and seemingly narrow line run
ming north and south for about thret
hundred yards the water Rhitsned ant
arose several feet high, 3 dull thud wa.
. heard, rocks trembled beneath the fee
Of the multitude as If from two quick
short pulsstious Of earthquake. Th.
water, which appeared to remain station
airy for an instant, broke spuried up 10
irregular dark yellowish mass abou
twelve feet high, mixed with the dyus
\ mite. Then it fell back and in a momeu
4 the river resumed its usual peacefa
aspect. Then a mighty cheer aros
{ from all the northeast side Of the cit
G and from steamers and boats, and stear
d whistles we're blown aud bells we're run.
& on, joyo1sly, and oil was over.
u The report was scarcely noticeable
6 and not 90 much az a ripple was cause
d upon the water, save just over the spc
&c where the explosion took PLACE. Ther
was no conclusion in the air, aud not
d pane Of glass was broken ia the city Z
Ie on Wards Island.
ls Immediately after the explosion hur
y dreds Of fowboats set out At best spec
y for Hell Gate, each anxious to have ii
honor Of hrst passing over the scene
the explosion. That the WORK vas efe
tually done is The general feeling, AZ
tbs also appears from the fact that Il
" police boats passed over the spot safel.
Wards Island was considered a isvo
y. ite place 10 view the explosion, gnd Il
- applications 70 20 there BY the poll,
> boat Seneca anu the boat Of the Cor
4 missioners Of Emigration we're vel
numerous, but the invitations iaaal
n we're limited 10 a select party, Of who
we're Mayor Wickham, General Arthu
Id Collector Of the Port Aldermen Lew
Hess and Morris Smith, y. Lane. e
Speaker Hickman, Police Comm.
5%ioneTs Smith, Wheeler and NiehoI
he Emigration Commissioner Forrest, Ed
Gallon Commissioner Dowd and a lar.
tly number Of city officials and politician
igb Probably the finest view Of the who
avo1,sto. 49,. Is,.. HI. - go.