New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1885-10-11
now TIE EXPLOSION TOOK PLACE.

HOW THE EXPLOSION TOOK PLACE
CAicuLNIoN~ oF Inn ENGi>E'E~ NtRIIIfD-A
WALL OF WATER HURLED INIo nf AIR.
The shores around Hell Gate were black with
people yesterday morning. They came on thc
elevated roads. I'm horsc-caT, and IN carriages ana
rourcd their steady stream to where the blnc-codted
policemen and tho lines ot soldiers "I'h
cleaning bayoncts arrested their progress.
On the water, steamers and tugs ana
hundreds OF rowbolts, all hlcd Win
people lay awaiting the great explosion lho"
sands of eyes were fixed on Flood Rock, when was
soon to crumblc to atoms. The sheds and houses
which for nine years have covered the rock ma"
beer removed A solitary derrick remained there
and from il lloatrd tho United States flag Work
men were moving rapidly about on the barren rock
and the Navy launches steamed hthcr and thlthrr
warning vessels that sought to come throngh th'
Gate that the explosion was about to tax" pace'
nud that thoy would better keep ont OF the way
The knowledge that tons of high explosives were
under the lnnoccnt-ookng rock around when the
food tide lay with unaccustomcd tranquility was Il
powerful argument in ng the sklPporS u
the various craft which sought to pass thdI
they ought to obey the mandates OF the
straight and ghttcring young officers VINO
waved their hands 10 them from the launches.
The interest among the spectators was intense.
Enough dynamite and rackarock was to be rA-
plodrd to level every building on Manhattan
Island. The forces OF science were to be employed
on a gigantic scale. What would bc the exact re-
suit 10 one knew though such veteran dyhaH''''I'
40 General Newton. General Abbot, Lieutenant
Derby aud Lieutenant Ialinsk were pretty
confident that the giant forces which had been
coniurcd up could be properly controlled. N'h'raI
Newton felt no more anxiety in controlling the eX-
I, bayp felt in holding the rtlS
over il dray horse The dynamite was his slave
and while realizing the great forces he was employ
ing ho felt that it would obey hun.
All through the upper part of the city windows
had been opened and pier glasses put TO
bcd in PREPARATION for the coucuS-
sion, which was expected 10 break glass
and tumble down crocllcry by those who realized
more the force employed than the method OF H9
application. In Astoria and on Wards ana Ran
dalrs Islands the same precautions were observed
| The atmosphere was hazy, but the sky was cloud
| less and the scene was flooded with the bright Oc'
| tober sunshine.
The hour of l. the time set for the explosion
! approached and IA state of intense suspense took
possession 0t every one. The hag was hauIed uo"l
from the derrick and tug took the last man IRON
the rock and conveyed him to the shore. There
was a hush OF bfeathlo,s expectation. Mlnute'
piIGcd away aud still Flood Rock reared ITS hea'
! m the CLASSY space of deserted water. The suS
pcnsc became painful and C.r' felt like crying o."
or moving about rapidly. IL was like
Awaiting the sensation Of the short sharp shock
OF a cheap and chippy chopper on u big black Dlo'N
The drowsy air seemed heavy and sitting. III
! sound of an elevated tram rushing along OI
shore WAS painfully startling. Suddenly Wheh l
seemed as If human nerves could stanh IL IN
| longer, there came shock. not heavy, but sold
and like flash the barren rock disappeared an
In its place a scrrated wall of water, l'2oo lee
long and 100 feet high at ITS greatest aitl"d'
stood flashing in the sun. 1t looked Ike
miniature range of snow-covored mountains hn
seemed to stand stationary and firm. llen- hH