Burlington weekly free press. [volume] (Burlington, Vt.) 1866-1928, 1876-09-29


NEw York, Sept. 24.-The great engi-
neeriug feat Of rending in pieces the I9cn
which has INSTRUCTED navigation ~ Hell
Gate. has been successfully accomplished
in the precise time and manner INTENDED
and without a single accident. Immense
crowds from all quarters of the city gatner-
ed on the New York side CT the river TO view
the explosion, despite the heavy ram "nicn
fell all tho afternoon. Thousands upon
thousands of carriages and vehicles OF every
description crowded the heights and cross
streets from which it could oe seem ureat
alarm prevailed amongst the many RESIDENTS
OF the first avenue and the cross streets IRON
s2nd to Goth streets, and some houses we're
entirely deserted by the residents. through
fear OF rocks being hurled across tho river or
of huge wave being caused by the upheav-
al. Every house in that vicinity had Its doors
and windows open as q matter of precau-
ton bat the great mass CT people had no
fears whatever and spectators swarmed on
the piers and low grounds directly IN line
with the rock where they would have been
! drowned by the thousand IN case OF wave.
The police lined First and Second avenues
| and were stationed amongst the crowds on
| the rocks to be available In the event oil
panic. Wards Island, which is directly OPP
posite Halett's Point. was chosen by the
| u
ness the .'blow-up." The inmates OF the
lupatic ASYLUM on the Island were taken out
OF the building as a matter OF precaution.
Probably the finest view Of the explosion
was from Hoyt's place. Astoria, some seven
| hundred wards east of lIallett's Point. The
ground is high and Hell Gate did not ap-
pear more than two hundred yards away.
1t was from this place that Gen. Newton
and the telegraph operators sent the cleo
trc haid rushing into the mine Mr.
Hoyt's grounds and the roadway in front
were lined with spectators. all Of whom
were admitted by special tickets. The po-
lice and soldiers excluded everyone not pro-
yided with ticket, the line being drawn
! 500 yards off where nothing could be seen.
After firing off the first gun the excitement
became intense and many ladies got nervous
and uneasy. All occupants OF houses open
ed their windows and doors and vacated
their premises by advice Of Gen. Newton.
The rain descended in torrents and the sec
ond gun went off causing general scram-
bic for a good position and consultation
of watches. Every minute a. 1t passed was
now eagerly counted, and at one half min
ute Of the time off went another gun, and
many though it was the mine. Every eye
| was kept riTeted OF the expanse of water un-
der which the explosives were known TO he
Suddenly cloud Of water turned into white
spray shot up just of Hallett's Point. This
was followed by g cloud of black smoke,
rocks and lumber and at the same moment
a heavy shock ran through the ground and
gave one the impression of being lifted
| about two inches The sound of the ex-
plosion was not loud. bat low. rumblin
and deep. A cloud # yellow smoke
followed the rocks and in ten seconds
/ the water had again become level, no traces
being left but large yellow space caused
| BY mud and other substances thrown up.
1 The moment the explosion vas over. small
boats, tugs and steamers Of all kinds shot
out from every quarter. their objective
point being llallett's Point. Not window
! in Astoria was broken or the slightest
| damage done. At the works it was found
that the ecfsr dom which surrounded the
shaft was entirely gone. \ small house
which stood close by the shaft was thrown
a dis;ance Of ten feet. but all other build
ings were jus, as before the explosion. The
affair WAS complete success and the whole
rect was blown Up. Seekers alter relics
made a raid on tie great bunch of wires
by which the mine was set Of. and soon
| but a few of them were let Tle tide has
been materially changed by the explo
sion and now the current sets di-
rectly on Big and Little Mill creeks.
They will have to be exploded next.
On the New York side. directly opposite
the scene Of action. at the moment of the
explosion, dull thud was heard, and the
rocks trembled beneath the feet of the
multitude a. it from two quick. short pulsa-
tons of an earthquake. ire water which
appeared stationary for an instant broke
aIt spuried up IN Irregular dark, yellOwlsh
masses about twelve feet high, marked
3 . L 10 r.. ha 4 haO
1t fell back ard IN a moment the river re-
s1m6d It's usual peaceful aspect. Then
mighty cheer arose from ell the northeast
( side OF the city and from the steamers and
boats The steam whistles were blown and
bells were rung out j1yOusly AID all was
| over. The report was scarcely noticeable.
I There wa no conclusion in the air and not
a pane OF glass was broken IN the city or
on Wards lslaId 4 sight shock was fell. so
sig BIT that ever -';Ju was disappointed.
| Fears of damage T. buildings were happily
/ r0t realized, 3 neither were the snticipa-
t.ons There can be no iJub. of the sue
cess Of the Undertaking. a. the police boat
/ steamed over the ground several times sub
sequently, which could not be done pre-
/ viUus to the. xplosiGn Shortly after 25lade-
/ spatch was received from the o7,h street
| precinct stating tina; the shock was felt at
/ that place. Another communication from
/ the penitentiaIy on Blackwell : Island stated
the report was dull and the vibration very
[ slight. 4 telegram from the 23i precinct
stated that no accident occurred anywhere.
4 despatch from NOnkers reported that
slight tremqr was percepuble there.
DR. Pemode in charge Of the signal station
at New YORK, six and quarter miles from
the scene OF the explosion. says he heard
the noise OF the blast, which rescmbed a
yolisy Of musketry.