Year: 1870




Progress Of OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Of


TunneIlins-The Apathy or New York


What Is Needed.


Although there Is an occasional lul in the reports
from Hell Gate, yet there Is none in the work TO
clear the channel at that point OF all distractions to
navigatlons. After the successful blowing UP, at
one tremendous explosion, OF Blossom Rock In the
harbor OF San Francisco an impression began to
gain ground that similar procedure might very
soon rid the Sound of those formidable Obstacles
rocks, whirs, eddies ana rapid currents-which 30
often prove destructive 10 san q vessels, and not
rarely even to craft propelled by steam. But the
difference between the work which was to be per-
formed at San Francisco and that on which engi-
neering skill is now being tried here was pointed
out several weeks ago by the HERALD, and also the
fact that to attempt q comparison between Blossom
Rock, with Its 5000 cubic yards OF SOFT sandstone
and hundreds OF thousands Of cubic yards OF hard
gnelss at He'll Gate, entirely out OF the question
The consequence 1s that the eager wishes OF many
people, based upon and inspired by highly colored
reports OF the achievement at san Francisco
which was undoubtedly splendid one, even under
the favorable OBSERVATION-DISCLOSURES Gained; but
the engineers In charge OF the work did steadily pro-
gress onward, nevertheless with such rapidty as
them.


THE LEVEL REACHED


In former description OF the operations at Hal.
lets P0ntthere being nothing done ut any other OF
the rocks OF Hell Gate at prcsent-t was stated that
SnaIt was DeinK SUNK the SOLO rock ana
the whole width OF the Golfer dam TO the full depth
or level TO which 1t is intended 10 excayate the chan
nel-that Is twenty i've feet below mean low water.
IL IL only within the past week that this level has
been reached. TO do Which over six thousand cubic
yards Of solid gness the hardest KIND OF rock had
TO be gradually remos ed--nore than all or Bio som
Rock contained. This was done to come down to
the actual bottom Of the future enamel, and from
here the tunnelng, rather excavatng process has
now begun. For the present but one '..chambero
viii be opened under the rock though five or six in
all VIII be made hereafter. These VIII be con,



be gradually enlarged until the whole inner body Of
the entire rocky promontory ut Hallets Point, COM
prlsing about So cubic yards, shall nave been re-
moved, leaving but a crust of sufficient thickness
and with the required support OF wooden posts
OF the water and preserve and protect the men at
work inside Of this artificial cave. To insh this
WIN probably take about two years when the great
'blow up" may be expected which, II IS hoped Will
'blow' that obstruction not only into the 'mlddle
OF next week, bur entirely beyond the reach OF re-
volvng time. There VIII then be at this point
vertical shore line with the same depth OF water
along the rocky wall as IN the middle OF the channe
navlgators easily understand


DEARTH OF FUNDS.


There are not as many men employed in this I'M
and could be The close OF the fiscal year 1s6a-70
beng near at hand-June 30-that much OF last
tions is nearly exhausted The number OF hands now
at work were kept mainly for the reason tnat when
uuV1 t =, sea nfer an;n,"vment and the exn ,ence
they have now gained would be lost, as new hands
would have to begin to learn anew. There Is more
money at hand-a part Of the appropriation made by
Congress at Its last sesson-but there are also some
claims remuneration preferred, which, II allowed
must be paid out of this money. These claims are
still under consideration In the War Department.
and, until they are adjudicated upon, the money
must be reserved for their payment should they be
APATHY IN CONGRESS-.


In connection with this subject of the dearth OF
funds available for this great and highly Important
national improvement, the remarkable apathy
towards it in Congress and out OF 1t, and even
in this city, Is somewhat astonishing The pub 1shed
ofcal reports OF the engineer officers in charge OF
the work show conclusivey that If It is to be accom-
Rsled rom with ayfg sa Se re- sSpea eo
lars per year would be requisite and then
Hell Gate would afford the safest and quickest
years. time With these facts made patent, 1t was at
first proposed to allow the misery sum OF 500 900
to be appropriated for the ensuing fiscal year. 1870
1s7l-an amount utterly insufficient even to keep
what has now been accomplished from gradual de-
cay. The amount was afterwards generously In
creased to $25000 barely sufficient to carry on the
work at Hallet's Point only while other rocks and
experiments them will have TO be left to the un-
as the saying is "by the card declare that this Is
mainly due to the political and numerical
AsCENDANcY OF THE WEST OVER THE EAST.
These persons say that II Hell Gate situated
between Lakes Huron and Michigan, or would OBJ
the Mississippi Missouri Illinois ana Onlo rivers,
appropriations OF millions would be urged ana
passed yearly, while the mere pittance , OF few
which half closes Long Island Sound. Another
complaint. and to all appearances just one, is
made against


NEW YORK CONGRESSMEN.


This complaint takes the shape thar the Congress
stOnaI representatives of New York have either not
the influence or lack the persistence and unity Of
effort which Is necessary to success In obtaining


be al appropriations In behalf OF the work at He'll
Gate It is suggested that Congressman not only
from this city and Brooklyn, but also OF Jersey, and
above all, of Connecticut and Rhode Island and Of
the Hudson river counties OF New York, should COM
blne on this question and jointly and steadily in
the matter as one Of common interest. The 'straw


re enthusiasm or New Workers Is also criticised by
many of those directly interested In shipping.
1t is hoped and expected that a little more action
will be mad to urge this Hell Gate question upon Con.
to peg away" TILL the work Is finally accomplished.