The Cairo bulletin. [volume] (Cairo, Ill.) 1872-1878, 1876-09-27

positc across the ilvcr was liarletts
Point. and the timbcrs and shanties at
the opening of the .haft, nearly midway
In the river. But q triile to the north
was little island, with n boat house. and
five hundred yards to the south little
rock surmoIntcd by an advertising
board. The rock to be blasted lay be-
meath the surface between the island and
Hallett's Point. A Government scow
and the Police aud Emigration Board
steamer, and hundreds of bargcs and
r0w-boats lay between New York and
Wards island, opposite onc-hundred-
and-tenth street.
THE EXPLOSION.
At o'clock q flint pun of smoke
arose from the scow, followed 10y the re-
port of the first gun, and there was an
instant commotiOn, crowds swaying
about in fresh eagerneSs to get good
standpoint. Ten minutes later ana an
other report. aud another hush fell upon
the multitude. The stiffness was UNI
broken from them until the third gun. at
ten minutes to three, which was followed
at precisely nine minutes To three by the
explosion. In a straight and seemingly
narrow line running north and south for
about 200 yards. the water whitened aud
arose. \ dull thul was heard. The
rocks trembled beneath the feet of multi
tude as il from two quick, short pulsa-
lions OF an an earthquake. The water,
which appeared to remain stationary for
an instant. broke and spurtcd up in dark
yellowish masses about II feet high.
mixed with dark smoke from the dyna-
mite. Then it fell back. and in a mo-
ment tlGLiv yer resumed its usual peaceful
aspect. Then a mighty cheer arose from
all the northeast side OF the city, and
from steamers and boats add steam
whistles were blown, and bells were rilng
out ioyously and all was over.
NO DAMAGE DONE.
The report was scarcely noticeable,
and not so much as a ripple was caused
upon the water, save just over the SPOT
where the explosion took place. There
was no conclusion in the air. and not a
pane of glass was broken in the city or
in Wards island.
THE WORK EFFEC rUALLY DONE
Immediately after the explosion hund-
reds of rowboats set out for He'll Gate,
each anxious TO have the honor of first
passing over the scene of the explosion
That the work was eilectually done is the
general feeling. and this also appears
from the tact that the police boat passed
over the spot safely.
WARDS ISLAND.
Wards island was considered a favor
lite place To view the explosion. and the
applications TO 20 there by the police
boats and the boats OF the commissioners
of navigation were very numerous. but
the invitations issued were limited To- q
select party. oi whom were Major Wick
ham. Gen. Arthur. collector OF the port,
and Morris Smith. T.. Lowe. ex-Speaker
Hickman, Police. Commissioner Smith.
Wheeler and Nichols, Emigration Com
missioner Forest, Education Commits
sioner Dowd. and large number OF city
officials and politicians.
THE VIEW FROM HolI's PLACE.
Probably the finest view of the whole
explosion was from lIoyt's place, some
200 yards east OF lIallet's Point. The
ground is high, and Hell Gate did not APP
pear over 200 wards away. 1t was from
this point that Gen. Newton and the tel
egraph operators sent the electric fluid
rushing into the mine. Suddenly cloud
Of water turned into white spray shot up
just off Hallett's Point. This was toll
lowed by cloud OF black smoke. rocks
and lumber. and at the same moment a
HtaNs SIOSh ran tiiiOuSH tiit gIOuuu anu
gave one the impression of being lifted
about two inches. The sound OF the ex-
plosion was not loud, but low, rumbling.
and deep. a cloud of yellow smoke fol
lowed the rocks. and in ten seconds the
water had become again level no traces
being left but large yellow space
caused by mud and other substances
thrown up.
THE EFFECT AT THE WORKS.
At the works it was found that the cot.
fer dam which surrounded the shaft was
entirely gone. \ small house which
stood close by the shaft was thrown n
distance Of ten feet. but all the other
buildings were inst u, before the explo-
sion. The affair was a complete success,
and the whole reef was blown up.
THE TIDE MATERIALLY CHANGED.
The tide was materially changed by the
explosion. and now the current sets d.
rectly on Big and Little Mill rocks. They
will have TO be exploded next.
Al M0CT nllEl