The New York herald., 1876-11-30
EXPLODING DIAMOND REEF.

FINE DISPLAY AND EFFECT YEsTERDAr-PRUs-
SIAN AND AMERICAN oFrrcALs and DIS
TrSGuIsHEp PRISONS pRksKSr.
Tho progress OF the blowing away OF Diamond Reol
lying between Governors Island and tho city nc has
been subject OF much interest evsr slnce the prcpa-
raiions Tor rs destruction began under General John
Newton. This reef has been the subject OF the most
serious concern TO the shipping and meic chants
both here and abroad, for the reason that IL has
always been deemed an exceedingly dangerous
reel to sailing vessels bad weather
Prior to the well defined system by which GEN
cral Newton proposes to set the harbor OF New York
Tree IRON dangers on either the sandy Hook or Hell
Gate routes this same Diamond Reef had exercised
the mind OF the distinguished surface plaster M
Macicrt; but 10 was not until General Newton de-
cided upon the necessity for drilling the reef TO the
depth required for safe navigation Of that portion of
the hnrbor that entire confidence was felt In It's cntro
removal Yesterday the time for tho ntecnth blast
under General Ncwtons regime, and ict 10 be an
especially interesting one, for tho reason that tho
blast to be unusually powerful very stubborn
portion OF the rect; and as all the former and lesser
portions tar as Tho work had progressed had been
oand entirely successful there was considerable
curiosity TO witness tho effort Among the profess
s,onal men present were Lieutenant Co onel COY Of
the Royal Prnssian Engineers, ana General Gilmore OF
the United States engineers There was large num-
ber of ladies' and gentlemen the scene, who mani
tested considerable interest In the work.
At half.uast two 7. ". the mine in the drills
fired, and OF the finest displays Of extensive
watcrspout from tho bosom OF the deep afforded
tho lockers The ladies' both ished aud
delighted AS soon they felt perfectly that hat
awful powder" not determined to host the boats
into the air
Pilot Commissioner Blunt gave tho HERALD reporter
some very interesting facts in regard 10 the progress
of tho work. The results Of the days work
shown 10 be these:--Thc blasts not. many still
suppose. made on the principle OF what Is known
snei-exposion requiring the placing OF continuous
charges over given part OF tho reel. For every
charge place rs drilled In tho rock with what
Is known tho "bcn resting on the
bottom until the depth required Is rcached-twenty-
six feet six inches On Friday lasr. of these
explosions, 600 pounds of powerful explosives
used, tho dryers having gone down previously, first
inserting and then Withdrawing the 'pugn and then
inserting the charge and arranging for firing. Tho
arrangement ior the charges differs from that
placed closely together the reason beng that
the debris can be removed from Diamond Reef much
more easily than from tho other aud does not there
FORE require to be broken so rnc.
partial examination OF the work performed by tho
explosion OF the l4S2 pounds OF vulcan powder usod
yesterday assurance that II had been only
unusually fino exhibition for the surface witnesses,
but ono o the most effective yet made for the removal
OF the rect Whcn completed, which IL Is expected
It viii be season, tho depth OF IL Will
be twenty-five feet at dead low water which Will al
low vessel drawing tweniy-iour feet 10 pass with
safety at high tide. Tor the neat tide that point
four feet live inches, while iull high tide Two
feet. NoGe OF the large steamers lying in the N0r h
River have necessary occasion 10 within OF
the rco None OF the experts present yesterday havc
tho slightest doubt OF the entire Of the work.