Opening the East River

Set in the aftermath of the Civil War, the narrative revolves around the perilous navigation challenges of New York City's East River, particularly around the treacherous Hell Gate. General John Newton of the Army Corps of Engineers undertook the monumental task of clearing the river using primitive tools and innovative techniques, including a steam-drilling scow and nitroglycerine. His 20-year endeavor culminated in a dramatic demolition of Flood Rock in 1885, an event that drew massive public attention and earned him accolades from the National Academy of Sciences.