HELL GATE PHOTOS
A passage, called by the Dutch settlers of New York Helle Gat, being that part of the East River between Long Island and Manhattan Island, also between Long Island and Ward's Island, and between Ward's Island and Manhattan Island. The reefs of rock in the main passage, some of which were islands at low tide, caused with rising and falling of the tide numerous whirlpools and eddies, which rendered navigation at times dangerous, always difficult, and for large ships impossible, although the depth in the tortuous channel might be sufficient. The East River receives the Sound tide from the east and the Sandy Hook tide from the south. The times as well as heights of these tides being different, additional force is imparted to these treacherous currents. It was claimed that one out of every fifty sailing vessels attempting to go through Hell Gate was more or less damaged by the rocks. A survey was made in 1848 by Lieutenants Charles H. Davis and David Porter, of the United States Navy, and in their report they recommended the destruction by blasting of Pot Rock, Frying Pan, and Ways Reef, which lie between Long Island and Ward's Island. The first attempts at removing the obstructions in Hell Gate were made by M. Maillefert, with whom a contract was made by citizens of New York. He commenced work in August, 1851, and by surface blasting operated upon the most prominent surface of the rocks and reduced them to an average depth of about sixteen feet. Congress in 1851, appropriated for the work $20,000 and placed it under the direction of Major Fraser. The method was by surface blasting, as had been practiced by M. Maillefert. The reefs in this channel are largely composed of a stratified gneiss, and the layers, being tipped up nearly perpendicular, were unevenly affected by the action of the water, the softer parts being worn away and the harder parts left in vertical sheets or points. In 1866 Gen. John Newton, of the United States Engineer Corps, was ordered to make a survey, and proposed the construction of a drilling scow which should be securely moored at the site of operations. The machine was constructed, and put into operation on Diamond Reef, near the mouth of the East River, in May, 1871. Coenties Reef was also operated on with this scow in alternation with the work on Diamond Reef. These operations proving satisfactory, the machine was taken to Hell Gate, where it was in operation nearly three years, and effected a great improvement in the channel. The first really important engineering accomplishment was the removal by tunneling and blasting of Hallet's Point Reef, which extended from the Astoria shore into the East River. By means of diverging tunnels and transverse galleries the reef was thoroughly undermined and nitroglycerin in cans was introduced into a large number of holes drilled in the pillars supporting the roof and in the roof itself. After water was let into the mine the nitrogen was exploded and the reef was destroyed, the debris being removed by grappling and dredging, so that there was a depth of 26 feet at low water over the site of the reef. The explosion at Hallet's Point took place September 24th, 1876, and was followed by energetic prosectuion of work on Flood Rock or Middle Reef, where similar tunnels were constructed. After over 21,000 feet of tunneling had been constructed and holes aggregating 113,192 feet had been drilled, 300,000 pounds of explosives were put into the holes, and water was let into the tunnel. The result of the explosion that took place October 10, 1885, and subsequent dredging, was to provide a channel of uniform depth of 26 feet through Hell Gate. _______________________________________ Source: The New International Encyclopaedia Publisher: Dodd, Mead and Company--New York Copyright: 1902-1905 PHOTOS Transcribed by Miriam Medina Back To MANHATTAN Main Back To BROOKLYN Main