Vermont phÅ“nix. [volume] (Brattleboro, Vt.) 1834-1955, 1876-09-29

occurred th IRE were vast crowds assembled
at every available point, waiting patiently,
yet not without anxiety and some dread
for the critical moment. 1t is estimated
that at least 100000 people witnessed the
explosion. The arrangements made by
General Newton for keeping the river clear
of all vessels within a certain distance of
He'll Gate during the day worked very sat
isfactorily. In Astoria, many dwellings
near the shore were wholly or partially
deserted for the time being, and indeed
this feeling of timidity was not confined to
Astoria, for in Long Island City, York
Vile and other places in comparative prox-
unity to the scene Of the proposed explo-
sion many residences were temporarily va
Gated and the furniture secured as a meas
ure OF precaution. Many people suddenly
found out that their ceilings were bad and
would be sure TO fall, and therefore took
General Newton's advice and removed
their valuables and themselves 10 a safe
distance. General Newton and stan were
at the works at He'll Gate all day, and saw
that everything was in proper condition,
testing tho wires and batteries for the last
time. By noon their work was through,
and there only remained to be done the at
taching OF the exploding cartridge and
wires of fuse 10 General Newton's auxil-
larry battery before exploding the mine.
This was accomplished, and the last touch,
the closing of the electric circuit, was now
all that required to be done. While the
Chief Engineer and his assistants were
thus preparing for the grand climax the
crowds were waiting patiently. At 2.25
the first signal gun was fired. Expecta-
ton became rampant. Watches we're look
ed at eagerly, and the minutes counted till
the great explosion should occur. At 40
P. N. the second gun doomed forth its
warning. Only ten minutes now to wait.
The excitement increased. The minutes
crept slowly by, and the eyes Of a hundred
thousand spectators were turned 10 He'll
Gate reef, and the ears of probably over a
million of people were earnestly inclined
to catch the first sound of the impending
explosion. Finally, at 2 o'clock As minutes
and 80 seconds, roaring, reverberating
sound was heard. A very palpable vibr.-
ton OF the earth followed, lasting about
two seconds. A stream OF water sudden
ly shot up at Hallet's Point to thirty or
forty feet in height, and was succeeded by
massive column of black water, full OF
stones, loose rock and dirt, which rose to
the height OF ten or fifteen feet, many
pieces of rock being thrown seventy feet
high. There was no parayzing shock, no
stunning or tremendous defamation, no
earthquake CONFUSION, and none of the
spectators experienced the grand aud ter
rifying spectacle they had expected. All
was over inside Of three seconds, and as
the waterspouts subsidized, huge wave of
dark, muddy water rolled from Hallers
Keef towards the New York shore, but its
force was soon spent, and before it reach
ed the shore it was incapable of damage.
So surprised were the spectators at the ap-
parently Insignificant results that many
were inclined TO believe that only por-
ton of the terrible dynamite bad exploded,
and that their ears would yet be stunned
by the deafening reports of greater ex-
plosion. But no further noise was heard.
The mine had indeed been fired, and The
work OF seven years had eliminated.
Probably the best point of observation, and
one that was we'll patroni zed by the spec
tators, was on the shore of East River al
the foot of Ninety-second street. From
this point of view, Immediately after the
firing Of the mine, the spectators saw a
long ridge of seething foam suddenly rise,
and from its centre a column OF water as
cended TO height variously estimated
from forty 10 seventy feet, which was al
most Immediately followed by still larg-
er mass of water, intermingled with frag-
ments Of rock, shattered timber and mud.
The jar 10 the ground was distinct, but not
so severe as to cause any alarm. In fact,
from the first TO The last, the whole affair
passed off so safely aud with SO little of the
outward elements of danger, that the spec
tators were astonished, aud so expressed
themselves. AS heard from the city, the
explosion sounded something like a volley
OF musketry at a considerable distance.
No CONJUNCTION of the atmosphere was felt.
HOW THE WORK WAS DONE.
The history of the engineering operations
by which the vast system OF tunnels was
pierced under the bed of the East River is
of exceeding interest. The reef projected
into the channel at He'll Gate about 800
feet. The depth over II for distance Of
30 feet from the shore was, at low water
less than II feet. The channel here being
narrow and crooked, the object of this im.
provement Is to widen and straighten II by
securing least depth ef 20 feet of water
over the reef. Work was commenced in
July, 1869, by building a Golfer dam be
tween high and low water marks. III DC
tober following the excavation of the shat
was begun. From the bottom of the shat
ten tunnels were driven under the river in
radial lines, and were extended until
depth OF water upon the reef of 20 feet a
low tide was reached the roof of the ex
cavation being kept nearly parallel to th,
bed of the river, and about ten feet below
it. The main tunnels were about IA feet IL
width, varying from 10 to p feet In height
and averaging about go feet in length
They were connected with each other a
intervals Of 80 feet, by means OF cross tun
nelS, or galleries Of about the same helgh
and width. Between the tunnels and gal
leries large columns of solid rock, wer
left 10 support the roof OF the excavation
or bed of the river. These large column
were Afterwards cut through by other tun