Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1885-09-24
FLOOD ROCK TO GO UP.
Warning Words 10 visitors-rhe Pleasures
and Comforts or a Subterranean Tour.
fNatv York uaratJ DAD

Jo-m0rrow Thursday VIII DC the
ninth anniversary Of the blowing up Of
He'll Gate. and if Lieutenant Dcrby's
expectations are realized there will be
a similar explosion in the early days Of
next month, when Flood Rock is fired.
The Lieutenant said to a reporter of the
Herald yesterday that he thought
Flood Rock would be split into frag-
ments not later than the 9TH Of Octo-
Der, and the nine acres Of rocky i'm
pediment that have stood as barrier
for ages to a clear and safe channel fol
vessels at Hallett's Point, Astoria, l..
l., will be buried in the depths of q
flowing tide that in some places has a
sounding Of 90 feet and an average
OF 20.
When New York and Brooklyn are
shaken up" as they have never been
shaken up since He'll Gate gave out its
dying exclamation, by the explosion at
Flood Rock, it will be by mode Of
firing that will differ somewhat from
that used on the former occasion. At
He'll Gate electricity was the agency
used almost exclusively at Flood Rock
the explosion will be the result of con-
cussion, with electricity only here. and
there as the primal force.
THE TRIAL OF CONCESSION.
General John Newton, who, although
residing at Washington, has the entire
direction of the work, tried conclusion
at Hell Gate only in mild and very
experimental way, but was satisfied
that it could be more largely introduced
at any future firing. Flood Rock has
furnished the opportunity, and there Is
not the slightest doubt on the part OF
those most familiar with the workings
that this new method will be a great
success. Thirteen thousand two hun
bred and eighty-siX holes have been
drilled in the columns and roof Of the
rock, the holes being three inches in
diameter and having an average depth
Of nire feet. The holes in the columns
are about five feet apart. and ex-
tend upward at an angle of about
forty-iiye degrees; the holes IN
the roof are about four feet apart, and
are at an angle Of sixty or sixty-fye
degrees. Two hundred and twenty-five
thousand pounds of a compound called
rackrock " powder will be used. with
No. dynamite, for filling up these
holes. The powder, with a proper pro-
portion of dynamite, is placed in a
copper cy Under two and half inches
in diameter and two feet long. aud these
iolm kind Of cartridge. \ portion
Of these will be exploded by electric
illuminate primers, and it is believed
that the conclusion thus produced will
fire the remainder Of the cylinders. 1t
is this new feature of firing that will
make the explosion in October an event
Of great significance to scientific men
and open up wide range Of possibli-
ties in future dealings with explosive
materials.
VISITORS AND HOW THEY ARE RE-
CEIVED.
Saturday afternoon is viSitins-day at
Flood Rock, and all respectable and
well-behayed persons who will pro-
misc-and will carry out theirpromise---
not to do any individual firing, on their
own account-becauSe that would be
likely to be incOnyenient to all those in
the immediate neighborhood-will find
a welcome on that day. The ardor for
scientific investigation and a promenade
under the roaring waters will be likely
to be damped when he is told that be-
fore he can make the descent he will
have to take his boots from his feet,
substitute pair usually worn by
miners and which will escase the lower
part Off the legs, and wear a rubber-clcak
and rubber head-gear that will make
him look like the man who goes down
in the diying-bcll. Even when thus at
tired he will not be saved from the dis
comforts Of probably s)iled cuffs and
collar, dirty hands, and an unpleasant
feeling Of dampness when he emerges
from the cayernous Tecesses and puts
his feet once more on dry ground.
Notwithstanding all this, a reporter Of
the Herald, who has been through it
all, bears his testimony to the assurance
that the experience acquired is worth
the discomfort, that it is unique
in its character, and well worth
doing. To those many persons in
this world who like to do risky
things simply because they are risky
descent into Flood Rock has a special
" Dangers stand thick
thro' all the ground, " not the least Of
which is the incontestable fact that is
always present with you, despite all at
temp;s to keep your courage up. that if
any one of the large number Of work
men, all Of whom are handling these
dynamite cylinders, were to drop one Of
them, visitors, workmen, and all would
make a sudden ascension and finally drop
back into the water. Where the visitors
would GO after that would depend, ac-
cOrding to the diyines. on the kind of
life they had led, and also, according to
the same high authority, it would either
be sheol or heaven.
DlsCOMFORTs OF THE DESCENT.
a new suit Of clothing is not the
only requisite deemed necessary for the
protection Of life and limb. The visi-
tor will be furnished with a short. fat
stick, at the end of which is a lighted
and ne will also have one Of
the workmen for guide, and the lat
ter will have a burning and shining
light on the outside of his head-gear and
a small lamp in his hand. Thus
equipped and companioned. the yisi-
tor will descend a wet, Shiny stair
case in a light that literally makes
darkness visible. 1t has the dsad-
vantage Of also being winding stair
way, and the last step is reached, pos
'ibly, Unexpectedly, with the added in
convenience that you are conscious that
your rubber-boots are making a de-
scent into muddy pool. Slightly per-
olexed, but not in despair, you follow
your guide along a rocky cutting, your
Get trayersing a succession Of wet
blanks that you are ever and anon los
ng your foothold Of and substituting a
roadway Of deluged earth for your