The New York herald., 1876-09-25

There shc goes!" was the next exclamation. On
tho instant felt three clearly defined and rapid
vibrations of the solid earth, running from north to
south. The duration OF the shock about two
seconds Within eight seconds after the shock came
nc report; then tho whistles or tho river steamers
borne the air, and all realized that the event
Every appeared to be relieved IN an in
slant. Many hall doors thrown opcn, and large
numbers beat a hasy retreat for their homes
At the Brooklyn City Hall several eonticmen a..
cended the cupoa and when they descended TO the
apartments of Keeper Patrick Tormey they learned Ia
their surprise that they had missed the sensation BY
being too high from the foundation
"why." said the keeper. "that blast went of on
time to the second elt the shock quite distinctly
Was the second story and was leaning the win
dow sill the time, looking out 1t was just like tho
ripple o a wave three times repeated l also hoard
the report which followed"
A gentleman residing Washington avenue, which
is '.tho Hil," IN the vicinity OF Fort Greene SAID
ha; he felt oscillations OF the earth but he
heard no report though he listened for 1t.
On the teighs OF Prospect Park the experience
was related from the Farm House In South Brooklyn,
as far as the OF The city limits, Bay RIDGE
OF the crust of the Garth was elt, but tho
report only heard at intervals.
dS GOVERNORS ISLAND.
About two O'Clock yesterday afternoon q reporter
and was met by Captain Keachie who volunteered to
assist hm in his efforts the island to obtain the
most perfect accuracy with the HERALD scientific ir-
strumcuts After arriving The island dock tour OF
observation made in order that the conditions for
intelligent appreciation OF the effects OF the explosion
could be made. brick wall running east AMI west,
selected OF the gdces leading to Fort Coum-
bus, having the proper direction on which lsaden
pendulum should be hung Above this solid body OF
earth Was found which to place the spirit level
which was set in the direction Of north aud south.
Alongside Of the latter ordinary glass tumblcr was
set brimfu OF The object OF these precautions
being observe the slightest terrestrial disturbances,
in Of which, Uf course tho bubble in the level
would oscate and tue pencil Set in the pendulum woud
record ON the paper placed behind IT, the lines IN the
direction OF tho oscillation The water IN the tumber,
In of violent disturbance, would be agitated
with little rings OF waves which would contract from
the rim toward centre and expand again toward
the RIM 1t will thus be that somc judgment was
necessary both IN selecting place out OF the range OF
tho ordinary well as TO fix the ar
tcles for observation.
BY the time these arrangements were made and
everything in position, although the rain was pourias
down In torrents group OF curious officers and sol
ders had gathered the reporter and expressed
themselves willing to assist his efforts In every way
Although the dlssnco from the OF the explosion
at He'll Gate about nine miles it was by no meant
improbable that decided quake of the earth might be
felt in this spot watches were therefore, compared
by several Of the bystanders, and The moment ap-
preached which the first OF warning was adver-
used to be fired dull 'boom' heard hko tho
sound of heavy blast This at thirty-one
minutes past two O'Clock. Another interval ant
twenty-five minutes of three was passed, and then
another dull to the OF the expectsnt
crowd This interpreted being tho second and
last gun OF warning before the grand explosion which
should shattor the subterranean barriers commerce
At nino and ifty seconds of three o'clock
heavy detonaton heard and the slightest possible
vibration OF the earth fct Dy the persons COM
posing the group surrounding the reporter The bub-
bic in the centre Of the spirit Level was, however,
scarcely disturbed the pendulum did not vibrate at
all and the water in the tumbler did not ripple
number Of the soldiers in the garrison house were
afte-ward spoken the writer and they all agreed
that the building sonsbly shaken There were
present First Sergeant Erskne OF the music boys
of Company b. Corporal Savage, George Kock, Charles
Cottcre, James Gill; William Dodge, Louis Muller.
Lieutenant Moore, OF the South Battery exclaimed IA
| he felt the shock, "Thots He'll Gate, surel" Carl
Elder, engineer of the Ordnance Department who
was sitting cutting machine in the printing Office
on the island felt pcrccpblo shock, and tho printer
jumped to his feet. exclaming, what's that ?''
Colonel CroitoD, the commander OF tho post, was
called upon for his experience He stated that ho
IN his dwelling when the shock occurred and IL was
very perceptible-the house trembling and windows
rattlng Colonel Crofon pulled out his watch ut the
time and 1t recorded five minutes to three, but the
officer thought his timepieco about i've minutes
too iast which made the time agreo with the report
ers record.
Captain Rutherford Is quartermaster Of the post and
he that he felt the vibration of tho earth vcry
tba tl,o,c la nd dOc rd
| tho de,onation but experienced no shock.
RESERVOIR SQUARE.
The massive granite walls OF the Croton Reservoir at
| Fifth avenue between Foriieth and Forty-sccoud
Streets chosen another point Of observation
by several of tho explorers In the realms Of
science. Long lines of lofty houses completely shut
the view OF the East River and the scene OF opera
tions it possible that any extraordinary vibra
ton OF tho Of rock beneath tho reservoir wou
| be perceptbio- the top of the eastern wal
After the HERALD had adjusted their instrr
ment little time remained 10 note the situation. Few
| people we're on the avenue Occasionally carriage
would dash along the streets leading to the East River.
| Some of the windows the mansions on the Wost
side OF the avenue had been opened and at few Of
them anxious faces looking for the dreaded
destruction OF properly The report OF tho first
was distinctly heard and a scene Of activity ensued
| that was somewhat amusing. Servants were seen
rushing from window TO window. raising aud lowering
sashes and opening doors Several excited individuals
walked of their homes and stood In tho rain upon
tho pavements Then scuttle doors were opened and
ladies aud gentlemen appeared upon the roofs Of the
| housea Ono enthusiastic man was scen standing
| on the top OF chimney. Tho housetops were
dotted with spectators far the eye could
| reach The report Of tho second gun heard,
| but not 80 distinctly the drst and then the
| interest of the lockers at tho reservoir
was centred on the instruments and the Observers
One elderly gentleman approached and asked 'Ars
those Instruments connected with He'll Gate'" A
bystandcr whispered "Yes," and the qacstoncr moved
to the angle OF the wall Another excited father
with two young boys the stone steps and had