The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-09-25
The Multitude a, MIR. Ram.ey...

One Of the best views of the blast was
from Mr.. Ramsey's house, about a mile from the
Astoria ferry, on the North Shore road. Thou
sands went from Brooklyn TO that nsighbor-
hood. and as many more crossed from New York
! by the Ninety-second street ferry. At noon the
number Rad increased until the iron fence op-
p0site Mr.. Ramseye residence was lined with
eager expectant men. The police lines had not
been drawn, and there was no impediment to
all who chose toiwalk along the muddy road and
take the best positions procurable, though
very few Of the early comers were destined to
witness the explosion from the places they
had at first selected. The windows Of
Mr.. Rlmsey's house were crowded with
gentlemen and ladies', and as the day
advanced the raised lawn ip front Afforded
accommodation for many. The edge OF the
river was not more than nifty yards from the
so" =. .siS raad. and $50 wards OF was the mine.
Those ,.ha had brought neld or opera glasses, or
telescopes, we able to distinguish for time,
through the mist 'bat was slowly gathering over
the riyer, crowds. wing every moment larger,
In the streets and vac-W iots on the New
York side as well AZ on Wa,Hs Island, but tho
rain was falling, and 1t was soon 'oI easN t9 see
more than half across the river. sc,'es on car Cur
riages were driven near To the gate L''euInH
upon Mr.. Ramsey's lawn, and the occupaS's'
drawing the covers OF their vehicles over their
watching the spot which had become lhe focus
ofgazng To those on foot, however, the sltua-
tOu was growing 'Nnor ulstressluH such hs
mad umbrellas sheltered themselves. and those
who had none turned up the collars Of their
coats, cursed the weather, and threatened to
start for home, but didn't. A few CLIMBED over
the fence and got under the trees some distance
away, but were quickly dislodged by the officers.
CAPT, Woods, were on the ground. and ut
about half past they formed the lines. Tho
spectators who, by going early, had secured
choice POSITIONS were compelled 10 fall back.
sun the road IN front Of MIR. Ramseys house
was not deserted Many privileged persons re-
maned, ana among the latter were sixty or
seventy men who had worked in the excava-
tons.
tremor OF excitement ran through the spec
tatoTs AZ they recognized the signal given twenty
minutes before the explosion. There WAS very
little conversation after that, but every oyo was
nxed with painful Intensity upon the point
Where zen. newton and Few picked assistants
were com pleting the bnal arrangements for the
blast. Next came the second gum and the ex-
Citement and suspense became intensified. A
Few minutes more and 1.-THE, active man with
a swarthN face ran along the embunkment, and
throwing himself on the wet grass beside the
dozen voices asked him where he had been
He had Just come from the tunnel, where,
with Gen. Newton, he had lowered tho
battery. Another gun, aud suddenly a curious
like what anybody there had expected, but
kind Of compression OF the atmos phere. Not
a particle Of rock could be seen in the ar from
the road, or from Mr. Ramsey's house nothing
but water wood, and mud. There was a dull
snothered roar aud the water over Hell Gate
cleared of its rocky obstTuctions. aud strewn
with floating debris, flowed on hardly more ruff
ned thnn before. Then such cheer went up
from the multitude "a might almost have teen
heard upon the New York side Of the river, II
repeated ag ain and again, and three especially
lOuu ones were given IN honor Of Gen. Newton,