The sun. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1833-1916, 1876-09-25

At two o'clock precisely the Juniata
steamed OF from the Nlnety-third street pier
with thirty gentlemen and a number of ladies',
and 10 a few minutes transferred them to tho
Government scow. Here a large platform had
been erected over the large red diving bell, and
sstout awning spread above II kept the nne
driving rain from those who took care to Keep
near the centre. The gentlemen, however,
manifested decided preference for the lower
deck, bravlng Its discomforts In their deterni-
nation to see all that was to be seen. The
scene presented at this time was at once ami
mated and impressive. Thousands OF men
blackened all the open lots, high rocks aad piers
along the shore, on the New York side Of the
river. as far up and down as tho eye could reach.
The water was almost covered with craft Of all
sorts and sizes from small skirs to large steam
boats all keeping back Of the scow and dotting
The river far up toward Harlem: The Flora,
Ileasant valley, Neversink, j. l.. Fisher and
Henry Smith. guard boats, moved hither and
thither, maintaining the safety line. Up the
river steamed the Sylvan Stream, Sylvan Grove,
Harlem and Sunshine, bringing so many specta-
tors from the lower part OF the city that their
dense thrones on the decks stroye To- gain Inc
side nearest the anticipated explosion, they
seemed In momentarv danger Of being capsized.
AT thirty-four minutes before three O'Clock a
blank cartridge was Hred from Il pound how
itzer on the scow. few seconds later Mrs.
Gen. Newton, carrying In her arms her daughter
Mary, two years and a half old-who was to
touch the kew and send the igniting spark from
the battery To the mne-stepped ftom the scow
on board the small Government tug star, which
rapidly steamed across the river In the direction
Of the bomO-proof at Willett's Point.
Nineteen minutes before the how'll tier
belchod forth another note OF warning. A
solemn repression seemed to pervade the vast
multitude "a the time OF the explosion drow
near Mr.. Hunt drew out his watch and timed
the minutes, "249! Every eye was fixed upon
the distant gallOws Ike frame above the works
and the water just before it-"25Ov' A slight
movement among the men at the howitzer
made the only Sound that broke the oppressive
silence. "25Ob u Spectators began holding
their breaths Tor the coming shock. A few Sec
onds more aud the gun was nred for the third
ana lHst time. Then, when the echoes thus
awakened had Just died away. white foamy
veil rose from the water at the point toward
which every ono was gazing, so high In air as to
hide momentarily from view the tall green
trees upon tho sloping Astoria hl he
hind It.. From the centre OF this wide.
long veil pillar of dark cloud shot up
In the lighter portions OF which could
be deserted the rude forms and aneul ir outlines
OF huge masses OF rock and portions Of the
Golfer dan. A second more and the fOany mass
OF upheayed water had sunk back into the
river, and the murky cloud was lost In the blue
above. The dreaded instant had passed, and
the event which had been so much feared
would scarce have been noted at this distance
by any other sense than sight. The noise was
little more than the muf1ied roar of far distant
10 compare with that produced by the firing Of
the howizer on the scow, and there was not
even at that short distance from the explosion
sufhcient agitation of the water to rock paper
racing shell.
1t was fully half a minute after all was over
ere the spectators seemed to realize that al
ready, and with so little demonstration eyerX-
thing had been accomplished. Then they broke
the silehce with hearty cheers, and the steam
whistles on the boats joined In the congratu-
Ory din,