The Morning herald., 1876-09-25
HE'LL Gate!
The Explosion Sue
cessful.
Water Three Hundred Feet
High.
Not a Person Injured.
Horse Breeders Conven-
ton.
The South Carolina
Riots.
International Rifle Contest
BENDING the Rocks.
By Associated Press.

Rendisg the Rocks.
BY Associated Press.
NEW YORK, Sept. "A.
The great explosion which took place at
He'll Gate, this afternoon at nine min
utes of three o'clock, was the result OF
seven yesrs of stern toll. The number OF
pounds of explosive material used was as
follows:
dynamite in tin cartridges, 24,Sl2
Dynamite in paper cartridges, l,l64
Dynamite in priming cartridges, 1928
Total Dynamite. 2S,90l
Rendrock in tin cartridges. 9,061L
Vulcan powder in paper cartridges, l4,24
Total charge in mine, 52,206]5
In Harlem and Astoria, which are the
nearest points to the explosion, considera-
BILE CONSERVATION existed among the inhab-
itants, and many Of them moved away to
places of safer distance than where they
resided. In Brooklyn, there was some
trepidation felt. but in New York the people
seemed to have accepted the assurances OF
Gen. Newton and the newspapers, that
there was no danger, and apparently gave
themselves little concern about it, unless,
perhaps. it was on the shores nearest The
scene Of explosion.
Precaution had been taken TO place guard
boats at safe distances TO warn off vessels,
and the constabulary of New York were on
the shores in large numbers to keep of
those whose curiosity might have led them
the effects of the explosion. The orders in
Al I'M, ri,-n md hH-t tbatr
strict observance accidents was undoubtedly
prevented.
Theexplosion was accomplished by means
of an electric battery which connected with
the great submarine tunnel, by means OF
over three hundred explosive wires, each of
which found its way to some part of the
CON bustibles anl made the explosion in
every part simultaneous. The battery was
located in tomb-proof, and the firing was
done by means of electric communication
from point some distance Oft.
The feat was accomplished at the precise
time and in the precise manner that 1t was
intended, and without single accident,
Contrary to all expectations, people without
fear fiocked to all points from which the
explosion could be witnessed, and in the
neigh bborbood of the scene an immense
number of people collected.
In New York the greatest excitement
prevailed on 1st Avenue, and the cross
streets from SD to Goth streets, which run
close to the river front, and some of the
houses were entirely deserted by the resi-
dents through fear of rocks being hurled
across the river. Every house in that
vicinity had their doors and windows
open as matter of precaution, but the
great mass ofpeople had no fears whatever,
and spectators swarmed on the piers and
low ground directly in line with the rock.
At precisely nine minutes of three O'Clock
the explosion took place. The excavation
it made throwing up rock, mud and water
together, was in a straight and seemingly
narrow line running north and south, dis
lance of about three hundred yards. The
sight is described by witnesses as one well
worth witnessing. The water whitencd ,and
then arose steadily and evenly three or four
hundred feet high, dull thud was heard,
rocks trembled beneath the feet of the null
titude as if from two quick short pulsations
of an earthquake.
The water which appeared to remain
stationary for an instant, broke and sepa-
rated up in irregular dark yellowish masses
about twelve feet high, mixed with dark
smoke from the dynimite, then it fell back
and in moment the the river resumed its
usual peaceful aspect.
No sooner had this occurred than a
mighty cheer arose from all the north east
side of the city and from the steamers and
boats. Steam whistles were blown and
bells were rung and all was over. The re-
port was scarcely noticeable in the interior
of the city, not the smallest rock was
hurled up, and not SO much as 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 pane of glass was broken in the city or
Wards Island.
Immediately after the explosion hundreds
of row boats set out at their best speed for
He'll Gate, each anxious of having the hon
or of first passing over the scene of the ex-
plosion.
That the work was efficiently done is the
general feeling, and this also appears from
the fact that the police boat passed over the
spot safely.
Aftemuted Murder and Suicide.