New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1898-07-26
SOUND MINES BLOWN UP.
SIX OF THE OBSERVATIONS EXPLODED
BY ENGINEER OFFICERS
THE PURPOSE NOT ANNOUNCED. But 1T WAS
PROBABLY FOR EXPERIMENT AS TO THEIR
EFFEcT-THE SPECTACLE WATCHED


BY MANY PEOPLE
| Six Of the numerous submarine mines that were
planted in the bed OF the Sound between Fort
| Schuyler and Wie;s Point were exploded ycster-
day The mines of the class known as obser-
walton They blown up under the direction
OF Brieadier-General Wilson, chief of engineers.
United States Army. and Major John s. D Knight.
the officer In command at Wilets Point. The Ut
mos. reticence was maintained by every con-
cerned in the operations. Newspaper were
not admitted TO the dock from which the official
observations were being taken. and subsequently
Major Knight declined TO answer the inquiries OF
the reporters who sough. information from him.
The impression widely prevailed that the mines
exploded because having been disturbed By
vessels crossing the fields. 10 the consequent en-
tanglement OF the electric wires connecting them
with the forts. It would be dangerous
tempt to remove them in the ordinary way But II
is proba BILE that the real purpose OF the explosion
experimental and TO allow the engineering
thortties the opportunity of making observations
of the effects
General Wilson. accompanied by his staff reached
Wfets Point shortly after O'Clock in the morn
ing He was received by Major Knight and after
inspecting the post proceeded 10 the end Of the
Government pier which stretches $50 feet into the
Sound
WARNING SHIPPING AWAY
Preparations were at once begun to destroy the
six mines bu. considerable delay was caused by
the difficulty in clearing all shipping from the
neghborhood Of the fields Boats containing guards
were sent in various directions ordering all craft
from the OF danger and prevent ships pass
ing between the forts. Exactly at ll:3o o'clock
everything in readiness for the first explosion.
The discharging OF the mines was In the care OF
Captain Roeffler. who had charge Of the switch
board within the fort The shores along For;
Schuyler and Wilets Point were lined with people.
who for the part afterward confessed that the
blowing up OF the mines nearly spec
tacuar as they had expected Blu: what they did
see was sufficient to convince them that the harbo:
OF New-York had been well protected by almost
irresistible latent forces.
The dischars. of the first mine threw into the
air TO height estimated to be al least seventy
five feet a wide column Of water, which after
period OF time spread out like fountain and fell
with crash that was plainly heard by the specta
tors on the land. The surface OF the water was
violently disturbed for a large distance and for
severa minutes waves continued to spread in con-
centric circles from the centre Of conclusion The
shore in the the neishborhood of the fort yibrated
port following the defamation Of the mine was not
particularly loud but extremely deep.toned, and re-
Of dynamite embedded deeply beneath rock These
effects were practically repeated in the destruction
of the remaining mines. except that in the case Of
tity o. water. somewhat after the shape OF aome.
Of the upheaTa made BY the mines situated in
eSmPa rpti vel shallow water To the unntiaed
the force developed seemed undoubtedly SUFFICIENT
TO disab,o the strongest OF batte-shps Large
quantities OF dead fish came to the surface OF the
water and when the operations had been ended
numerous parties put out In rowing and sailing
boats and gathered more FISH in half an hour than
hy have faqsh Th Won nGt m
knight would comment for publication In any way
upon their observations both were heard to express
themselves as being greatly pleased with the sue
which attended their experiments 1t is under
stood that General Wilson will MAKE report TO
Washington. and that further steps will be
taken toward the blowing up or removal OF the
tact mines, until further instructions are received
from the War Department
HARD TIME GAINING ADMITTANCE.
Among those who also witnessed the experiments
Major Henry NJ Adams, who has charge OF
the harbor defences; Colonel Henry VI. Roberts,
president Of the Board OF Fortified tons and Con-
gresham Pesrce who said to be present on
behalf Of the War Department 1t was only with
great difficulty that these three men gained ad-
mittance within the lines OF the fort. They were
challenged by a sentry. who refused TO heed their
protesta tons. and sent for the corporal OF the
guard The corporal. who seemed TO feel keenly
the responsibility resting upon his shoulders and
whose manner perceptibly irrtaed the two officers.
allowed Mr.. Pearce to enter when he exhibited
however, still refused admit Colonel Roberts and
Major Adams. Ultimately the latter was Identified
by officer Of the Engineer Corps and was allowed
TO enter the fort Then Colonel Roberts endeavored
bad protessed himself to be- but the soldier
obdurate Finally Colonel Roberts demanded that
the officer OF the day be sent for. This was done.
and Captain Turpin. OF Company NJ. 22d Regiment.
letters which Colonel Roberts produced from his
pockets that he really was Colonel Roberts. allowed
him to pass
EkL-N ID