New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1876-09-25


ing how perfectly he had drilled them. The wires
had been connected with the batteries and circuit
Closer" by o'clock Sunday morning. The main
part of Sunday forenoon was spent in filing the
battery cells with acids, clearing away the refuse
materials, the empty vessels which had contained
the fluids, the remnants of the wires, and other
superfuous things. About 11l2 o'clock Mr. Striedin-
ger assembled to the summit of the bomb
proof, and hung the torpedo which was
about ten inches long by two in diameter
to the frame on the top This frame consisted of
two uprights about four feet high with cross-bar.
The torpedo was hung from the center of the
bar, nearly foot below it. From the torpedo
cord depended passing through hole in the roof of
the bomb-proOf to the upper disk of the circuit
closer, which was afterward suspended by it. Any
accident was prevented by prop under the disk,
and by keeping the plates of the batteries raised
above the fluids. After descending from the roof
of the bulding-which, although only IL or Is feet
square on the inside is about 35x4O on the outside,
owing to the thick wall of earth and stones that
covers 1.-THE electrician fastened the cord to the
disk and then began to fill the cups on the lower
disk of the crcut-closer with mercury The first
process was finished exactly at noon, and the second
was begun immediately, taking about ten minutes.
As Mn. StriedInger bent over his work. pouring the
fluid metal slowly into cup after cup, the spectators
among whom were Gen. Newton, Capt. McTcur,
and number of army officers and civilans-leaned
eagerly forward and watched his movements almost
breathlcSsly.
what if that upper plate Of the circuit-cioser
were to fall accidentally p exclaimed a gentleman
in low tone TO person by his side. thrill ran
through those standing near him, but when Capt.
Mercur explained that 1t would do no harm il the
plates of the batteries were not lowered into the
opiIg all raJ he had
been filed, Mr. Striednger replaced the prop under
the disk.
AT 1915 o'clock every important step had been
taken to make success certain. Inside the bomb
proof and the tent the neatness and order of the
arrangements were perfect. How long would they
remain so was the question suggested by glance
at the batteries and thought of the tremendous
power which now lay dormant under the water.
Many were the surmses OF the persons present as to
the effects of the explosion, some going far
as to prOphesy tidal wave twenty feet high, and
others a shock that would utterly demoiish
the bombproOf and all its contents well every
building on the ground. Gen. Newton, with quiet
SMILE said he thought not but nevertheless seemed
to be little anxious About 1l2 o'clock he took
several reporters on his launch, and proceeded to
the point which he had selected his firing station
and explained to them tie whole process to be car
remained there until he left it for the firing point
for the last time.
The spot where the firing battery was placed was
upon the private grounds of G. G. Ramsey He
offered the use of it to Gen. Newton and more de-
srabe position could not have been found. Be-
tween it and Haletts Point there is an indentation
in the shore line which gave all the spectators who
were az the firing station a clear view across the
small bay to the mine. About o'clock Mr.
Striedinger accompanied by his assistants, bearded
the Star the Government tug, and proceeded to the
firing point to put up the batteries, place the teie-
graphic instrument aud connect the wires. On ar
irving at the temporary wharf-which is about $50
yards from the shaft of the mne-the batteries, key
board &C.. were taken ashore, and work was begun
al once The wires ran from this point supported
by trees, and where there were no trees by poles,
to the torpedo over the bombproof. The first thing
done by Mr.. Striedinger was TO 90 through the
process of testing this new circuit with
his galvanometer He found it, like all the rest
complete He then had the battery cells filled with
acids and the batteries placed in position. After
this he connected the with them aud the key
board in the proper manner. The batteries used
here were three nne-cell batteries, and the wires
which connected them with the torpedo were each
$500 feet long. When aIl was in readiness, Mr.
striedinger returned to Hallett's Point.
Meanwhile the driving, misty rain had continued
to descend in fine, penetrating particles, each OF
which seemed to select vulnerable point IN the
clothing Of waiting spectators, penetrating TO the
skin. Still they waited patiently often attempting
TO shelter themselves in groups of three or four mn
der one umbrella and making jokes at their own
expense in their failure to find comfort. Occasion
ally the rain ceased for time, but it began again
after a short interval The Boulevard. just back of
tbo 6ri,0 mint yaa selected bV a large number OF
Astoria people as their place of observation. They
had the double advantage Of seeing Gen.
Newton touch the key and seeing the explosion
at the same instant. As the time approached the
soldiers and police drove all but privileged few
from the ground. Shortly after this the prop was
taken from under the disk of the circucloser, and
the metallic plates in the batteries were lowered
into the acids by turning the crank on the end OF
the forms which supported the batteries. This was
done by Mr.. Striedinger and two of his men, Gen.
Newton looking on. And now all was ready. Moth
ing remained to be done but to send the electric
current from the firing point into the torpedo which
supported the upper disk of the circuit closer.
TOUCHING THE KEY.
At :20 p. M, half an hour beforethe blast gun
was fired from the Government scOw, to give notice
tn all Vessels had ceased to pass the Point about
l:3O the Pleasant Valley being the last TO go Dy
as she steamed up the river TO her position, Just
little above the firing point, Ten minutes before
the explosion another gun sounded It's warning ana
81 the same time Mrs Gen. Newton arrived at the
firing pout accompanied by nurse who carried III
her arms little Mary Newton, two years ana
four months Old-a pretty little child win
blue eyes, fan skin, and hght curry
hair. The baby girl looked around upon
all with perfect self-possession, whlie the party
tod rIfl