The Ouachita telegraph. [volume] (Monroe, La.) 1865-1889, 1870-12-03
'n the St. Louis Republican,, Nov. %. ]
The 81. Louis Bridge.

The great work of laying the founda-
tionS of the east abutmcnt pier of the
bridge is now fairly commenced. Tho
temporary bottom of the immense cais-
son, attached for the purpose of enabling
it to be tOWcd to the site of the pier,
was removed without difficulty during
the early part of last week, and the
laying Of masonry was commenced on
Thursday. Yesterday the cutting edge
of the cni~sOn on the west side had
reached the and at the bottom of the
river, but was q few feet from it at 9TH
er parts. The pressure of air in the
chamber i, about four pounds and Il
half to the square inch, but il will soon
be much higher, as the immersion pro-
cecds steadily and rapidly.
\ considerable portion of the first
course of the masonry is laid, and it is
quite an interesting study to watch the
process Of operations. The blocks of
limestone are generally of great size.
but are handled with wonderful case
and QuickneSS. The massive iron hooks
are affixed to the blocks as they lie on
the barge, the ends of the hooks fitting
the holes prepared on both sides ofcach
block, SO that there is no danger of
slipping. At a word given, the rope
descending from the traveller is drawn
up and the stone block is suspended in
mid air, then the travelling wheels on
the horizontal wire rope track far over
head are set in motion, and the stone
moves forward over the caisson, and is
lowered at the exact spot allotted on
the bed of mortar laid on the iron floor.
Here it is fitted into the other blocks
already made, and where it will rest
for ages. As great care is taken with
these lower courses of masonry, as with
those destined to sustain the influences
of the water and air. The stones are
chosen and shaped with close attention
to the requirements necessary, and are
laid together so as to form compact
mass Of rocll-lil<e solidity.
AS the caissOn sinks deeper and deep
CT with the increasing weight of the
masonry, much care is necessary to
make the immersion uniform in all
parts. Accurate soundings are taken
around the caisSOn every fifteen min
utes or SO by Mr.. McCom:s, Supcrin-
tcndcnt, and Il level surface to the iron
floor is preserved by adjusting the
weight of the masonry, laying stone at
such points as are necessary to create
an cquablc downward pressure. The
handling of the heavy blocks of stone
within the iron walls OF the caissOn
| would seem to be Il work liable to fire.
qucntaccident. The breaking of q rope
| or the slipping of q hook might at any
moment make Il bloody pulp of some
of the men at work, but all possible pre-
cautions are taken to prevent any such
occurrence, and heretofore the bridge
works have been singularly free from
such mishaps. That is doubtless owing
to q proper system being observed in
the operations, and using only the best
material in the machinery and implc-
mcntS. Excepting, Of course, the effects
| of the compressed air on some of the
WOrkmcn, during the work in the east
| pier air chamber, only one or two ac-
| citIcnts have occurred since the COM
encemcn; Of the bridge works. A
| few men have been drowned, owing to
their own care!csSncss, but we ailudc to
| accidents in connection with the ma
cilincry and the work proper. 1t is
confidently anticipated that the foun-
dations of the east ;lbsltment Will he
constructed without any serious cOnSc-
qucnces from the compressed air, as the
experience gained at the other piers
stahliShc5 the fact, that when the prop
or mon selected, il! effects from work
ing III the air chamber are almost
| entirely prevented.
\ visit to the interior of the c;lssOn
| reveals a scene of busy industry that is
almost bcWildcring. Here arc mon
| laying the masonry, pushing and ShOv-
ingaround an immense stone, orsprcad-
| ing the gray soft mortar bed for q com
! ing block. The iron walls are being
| built up and also the iron partitions
which run across the caiSSon to strength
en- it. This work has an accompani-
mcnt of dcatcning hanlIn"ring, while
at slnaN portable furnaces boys arc
/ heating III" riNrtI used, to white heat.
I'llcSH tirg-bnlls are being tossed about
/ in All directions to tn" men 1T work on
the iron, and Il visitor has to be wary
. ora tanning fragment may dash against
( him at any moment, although the imps
who heat the bullets arc generally ac-
curatc in their aim for tho safe points
! desired. Overhead there is q crcaliing
| of blocks and 4 cianking of chains,
! Will" the StCanl-likc hiss; Of escaping
air from the carnjvcrnOuS regions be-
low and the rush of the machinery
driving the large air pumps complete
the chorus. At present everything il
tight and dry in the cai~SOn, the dcs-
cont to the nir-lOcll is only II few feet
! and there are none of the gloomy hOr-
rors in the spacious shaft which those
who visited the air chamber of the east
pier, when near the rock, may rcmcm.
ber- This cais5on incorporates various
improvements over the former Oncs
used, which actual experience suggested
The Ieakagc5 of air developed up to The
present are trifling, and the caisson, il
its general construction, gives evidence
of having been thoroughly well devise,
and put together.