New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1869-09-02
COMHODORE Vanderbilt.

ERECTION OF A COLOSSAL BRONZE STATUE AND
ALLEG ORICAL BAS-RELIEF IN HIS HONOR.
For a month past about fifty men have been
engaged in erecting the top Of the western wall OF
the Hudson River Railroad depot, an immense work in
tended TO honor Commodore Vanderbilt. The design
originated with Capt Albert DegrOOt who caused draw
ings TO be made and laid them, with expana
ton of his pian before committee Of New.
York gentlemen. The funds quickly subscribed
A large foundry built to make the castings, and
George and Valentine Fisher employed To superintend
this part OF the work The construction Of the models
was undertaken by Ernest Passman, who completed
them at his School Of Art III sxth-avc IN ten months
In September last the casting OF the work was begun and
successfully completed by Fischer Brother. strong
scaolding having been erected and carefully enclosed,
the various parts Of the work securely boxed up,
transported the depot and hosted the roof where
they were duly erected against massive brick wall
three feet thick which they firmly fastened with
iron anchors more than 1900 IN number and weighing
four tuns The strctest secresy euoined from
the outset upon all connected with the work. II
covers Of 1925 square feet measures 80 feet
in straight line and 81 feet in extreme hight weighs
nearly 100000 pounds and cest over half million Of
dollars
1t consists Of an immense bronze statue OF Commodore
Vanderbilt placed in the center Of colossal basrelef
which is cOntrived to illustrate the and achieve
ments OF the Commodore represent the great inyen
tons of this century, and to portray alegorcaly the
growth OF the Republic. The base Hne, upon winch the
basrclief Is erected. is tier Of blue-stone
In the center is great carved block
Of granite, weighing eleven tuns. On this
rests a bronze pedestal five feet square, one and
half high, and bearing the inscription Erected
1868" On this pedestal within a recess stands the sta
tue. It is - feet high, nearly solid and weighs 10 tuns
1t represents the Commodore with head uncovered and
wearing a heavy furtrmmed OvcTcOat, his lett foot
slightly advanced. his right hand inserted beneath his
vest and his left mOdestly extended. The basreet Is
ten feet high at the ends, and is surmOunted by
granite cOrnlce, which slopes gradually upward
tremity, turns suddenly up, runs along hor-
izOntaily, and finally forms an arch in the
nice decorated with ornamental work III bronze Tie
basreleI each end is terminated with massive scroll
work, representing leaves and plants On the night
hand beneath the statue ana the scroll is represented
the COmmOdOre's lic ana the left his railroad
life At the right hand, in the foreground, appears, IN
reclining position Neptune with flowing beard, wreath
rudder, a sea-mOnstcr rising from the water at his
feet, and peerlnR around the corner OF the
rocks which he rests In the background rise the
Palisades OF the HudsOn lighthouse is seen, ana the
boat bred in which Mr., Vanderbilt IN early days con-
yeycd passengers from New York TO Staten Island at %
cents head Next comes the steamer North star, IN
which the Commodore sailed around the world Finally
il seen the huge steamer Vanderbilt IN the middle fore
ground a dock appears, on which are coils OF rope,
bananas, and pineapples q great watchdog crouch
ed on a cotton bale, and, next 10 the statue,
capstan, anchor, and chain AT the extreme ieft
Liberty sits erect. In the background rises woody
slope and in the front fence and two seen.
Back OF engine drawing six and entering
q tunnel, and in the rear Is villa on hlEtOp. In the
middle Of the foreground svitchman s seen, flag in
hand, and the locomotive C.. vanderbilt appears draw
train OF cars. IN the 'front.' or the locomotive are
two haryesters in the attitude Of working Next 10 these
several agricultural products visible In the upper
part of tile bas-relef birds flying Yesterday
the press IL will be uncovered TO the pubic on or about
the 25th inst