Northern tribune. [volume] (Cheboygan, Mich.) 1875-1885, 1876-09-30
HE'LL GATE OPEN.
The Engineering Triumph OF the
Nineteenth Century.
A Slight Earth-Tremor the Only In
dication Of the Great Work.


We give a portion of the Associated
Press dispatches from New York giving
the account of the blowing up of the OBJ
struction IN New York harbor known rs
Hell Gate. The dispatches dated the
24tll, says that with a slight trenor OF
the earth throughout the city and up
heaval OF two columns of water, accom-
panied with considerable quantity of
rock. which all tell into the river, Hal
let's Poiut reef at Hell Gate was deinoi-
ished this afternoon. No accident oc-
CURED. The triumph of American en-
gineering accomplished by Gen. John q.
Newton was completed i'll the precise
time and manner intended and without
4 single accident.
About II clock streams of pedestrians
were vending their way across the city
to the points of observation on the east
side. Vast numbers of strangers came
to see what everybody thought would be
magnificent spectacle. The street ears
going up towii were loaded with citizens.
and First and Second avenues, as viewed
from the heights, were black with pedes-
trian> moving toward Nineteenth street.
About 2 o'clock the cross streets aud
avenues from which view could be had
were swarmed with people,and the house
tops along each side. were crowded.
Thousands of vehicles Of every ,lescrip-
tiou filled the heights and cross streets.
The rock TO be blasted lay beneath the
surface, between Little Island and Hal
let's Point. The government scow and
Police Emigration steamer. ana hund
dreds OF barges and row boats. hay be-
tween New York and Wards Island.
about opposite One hundred and tenth
street. Abont2 O'Clock Il faint puff of
smoke arose from the scow, followed by
the report of the first gun, and there was
swaying about i'll fresh eagerness TO get
IL good standpoint. Ten minutes later
there was another report. and deep hush
ieil upon the multitude, still unbrokeli
from then until the third gun at 900,
which WAS followed precisely at Pol by
an explosion in a straight and seeming
ly straight narrow line running north
and south for about 800 yards. The water
whitened and arose evenly three or four
feet high. A dull thud was heard, the
rocks rembled beneath the feet OF the
multitude rs il from two quick.
short pulsations of earthquake. The
water, which appeared to remain station
irv tor an instant, broke and spur:ed up
in Irregular dark yellowish masses about
Il feet high, mixed with dark smoke
from the dynamite. Then it fell back.
andin moment the river resumed its
usual peaceful aspect. Then Il mighty
cheer arose from the northeast side OF the
city and from the steamers and boats, aud
steam whistles were blown and bells rung
out jOuyusly, and all was over
The report was scarcely noticeable,
and not so much as ripple was caused
upon the water, save just over the spot
where the explosion occurred. There was
no conclusion in the air. and not pane
of glass was broken in the city or Oh
Wards Island. Immediately after the
hundreds OF row boats set ont
AT their best speed tor He'll Gate, each
anxious to be the first passing over the
scene of the explosion.
The finest view OF the whole explosion
was from Hoy.'s place. some 7CO yards
east of Halett's Point. The ground is
high, and He'll Gate did not appear more
than 200 yards away. 1t was from this
point Gen. Newton and the telegraph
operators sent the electric fluid rushing
into the mine. Suddenly a cloud of
water, turned into white spray, shot up
just Off HaIlett's Point. This was follow
ed by cloud of black smoke. rocks and
lumber. add ut the same moment heavy
shock ran through the ground, and gave
one the impression of being lifted about
two inches. The sound of the explosion
was not loud, but low. rltmbling, and a
deep cloud of yellow smoke followed tie
rocks. and in ten seconds the water had
become again level, no traces being lett
Dut a large yellow space caused by the
mud aud other substances thrown,up.
AT the works it WIS found that the
.oller dam which surrounded the Shaft
vas entirely gone. A small house which
stood close by the snait was thrown dis
ance of ten feet, but all the other build
nss We're just as before the explosion,
The affair was a complete success, and
he whole reef was blown up. The tide
las been materially changed by the ex-
)losion, and now the current ac;s direct
Y on Big and Little Mill rocks. They
will have to be exploded next.
A Large Fish.
nj, Tot,. U;..on,,& k,o,,.-t.t <s,,;to 1r+ |