The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1876-05-08
IN NEW YORK.

The elects OF the terrific shock which for moment
set Manhattan Island in vibration many and
varied, ana speculation to the cause took wide
range. In the hotels guests ran from their rooms in
alarm to inquire what disaster bad occurred and
many, fearing it earthquake, mentally
saw tho earth opening its jaws 10 swallow. them.
The force Of the explosion great that people
throughout tho entire city at nrst under tho
impression that 1t had occurred In their immediate
vicinity, and tho widest excitement prevailed to
what II was and just where It happened That II was
close al hand everyone agreed, but no one could be
found who could give any Information. Ono curious
fact In relation TO tho impression 1t lett
the minds of the people within doors is that
tho shock from a force applied directly
above them. Numbers rushed out OF their houses
fearing the roots falling or being crushed in and
others up to the upper floors under tho Impression
that tho plaster crashing down from tho ceilings
On the and ferries, In the streets and avenues, in
and theatres aud wherever the thunderous noise
was heard people stopped and with startled faces,
wondered for moment what could have happened.
Their busy tongues began seek for information,
and, explanation could be had, tho widest
eagerly accepted for the truth. and meet
Ing with no opposition grew wonderfully in extont
aud number ln tho theatres tho audience jumped to
their feet and turned with alarmed faces toward tho
doors Some rushed toward the street, thinking the
strucspscs falling In upon them, while others
stood IN fear, not knowing what 10 do or to expect
At wallack's Theatre the greatest excitement spread
through the audience II was feared that tho boilers
used in the Russian bath In the same building had
podc and that tho walls were about TO fail in ana bury
the people, but after q moment the welcome
came that nothing had happened in tho other part
building. The effect tho water Of tho East and
North rivers was peculiar. Tho air seemed 10 press
down upon It from tho Jersey shore and push
IL toward tho New York and Brooklyn
shores On board the ferry boats crossing
the rivers n shock followed the sound " collision
with floating lumber small cram had occurred.
Tho impression strong that boats were backed
and search made 10 Ind what had caused tho Jolt TO
the vessels
THR DAMAGE IN TIM
confined the neiglborhood OF the North River,
within . half milo above and below Canal street
class was smashed, windows were thrown from their
sashcs and In doors violently forced
open by tho force or the current No one, far as
heard irom injured on this side OF tho water.
ACCOUNTS.
The following somewhat conflicting accounts Of tho
explosion we're received at Police Headquarters, on
Saturday night, from the different precincts:--
From Thirty -nfth, at Kingsbridge:'Thc light from
explosion was in tho direction or High Bridge frcm
here"
From Ninth, Charles street. son-"lt Is
supposed that explosion came from Jersey Two sashes
Mt No. 1914 West and several lights No 40l
West street we're broken"
From Fifth, Leonard street. near West Broadway -
Explosion In Jersey; unknown"
From Thirteenth, corner Of Attorney and Delanccy
streets: Explosion In Brooklyn"
At seventeen minutes past twelve the correct
count received from tho Fifth precinct saying
..Ihat was magazine; Bergen tunnel; supposed TO
havc been fired By strikers"
Several OF yesterday mornings returns contain cd
accounts OF the affair. Captain Thaddeus @. Davis
Captain Of the Thrlysccond precinct, the OF
1874 street aud Tenth avenue, sent tho following
house shaken as " by an explosion earthquake.
Tho shock ratified the doors and Windows awakening
ali the In the building and causing great conscr
nation In the ncighborhood. Cause not asccrtancd ;,
Captain canrcy OF tho Finb precinct, made a very
thorough investigation Ut tho effects tho explosion in
that quarter Ito writes :-"From the effect OF an cx-
plosion Jersey at l0:15 NJ tho glass In the VIM
dows OF tho following premises demolished: No
81 Warren street. Nos ~ and 10 Harrison street. No
IS Desbrosscs street. Nos. 2oo 22i 25o 2c4 2.5 27s
2s 202 aud 293 West street. No 400 Canal street. Nos
2eI 349, Ala ala and sl5s Greenwich street, No 1913
Washington street, No. s, Hubert street. No 55,s
Beach street. Nos. 81 and 1l9 Hudson street. Al No.
25s West street tho shock caused the ceiling fall At
No. % Jay street, No. 27 Harrison street and No
Leonard street II threw she shutters from tho and
windows into tho street"