The New York herald., 1870-05-04
THE GREAT CAISSON.

Auspicious Commencement OF the Brooklyn
Bridgc-The Foundations Satisfactorily
Laid--A Great Day for Brooklyn.
Moving day In Brooklyn was not quite so interest
ing to the citizens Of that overgrown village on
previous anniversaries OF the cheerful festival,
the number OF families crossing with their
household gods and goods by the New York
ferries being considerably less eaan usual but the
great event OF yesterday, the successful placing in
proper position Of the which is to form the
foundation OF the Brooklyn piers Of the projected
bridge between the metropolis and the City
OF Churches which took place In the pre-
Of SO much Importance and interest to the people
that 1t amply compensated for the disappointment
The mammoth caisson-a full descripti on
Of which has has, already APPEARED in the
stonrs maRALCs intended TO- receive the massive
supporting tower Of the East river bridge. It
was towed from the foot OF Noble street,
steamers to " the Brooklyn d''fi side Of tie Fur Hn.
ton ferry In the short space of ffty-nve
afternoon. Thousands OF people visited tle caisson
yesterday, and the usual scenes on such occasions
keeeg the ing Ssy
few who enjoyed immunity from ofical
ANNOYANCE. Among the latter were Captain John
Maginn, the veteran Sandy Hook pilot, who pllOted
the caisson down the river and who was still in
charge; Messrs. William g; Kingsley, superintendent
Hon. Henry 9. Murphy, presidents J. s. r.
sosn preDtce the exseays G. Ma
assistant engineer; Colonel PANE assistant engl.
neer e o. ana a. constructor; @ D. 8 Rule Inspector; Mr.
Douglass, master mason, Daniel Hart, har-
was the Tse sebec General Of t %
and all sorts Of specuIations were indulged
in as to the prospect Of an early completion Of tie
Singing Of the foundation was the initial Sep.
Although this journal has given its readers an
of e w &c OF the Gals
inappropriate The caisson then, is gigantic struc-
tnre OF heavy yellow pine timbers, each thirteen
inches In diameter 1t Is fifteen feet In DEPTH 163 In
length. and 1O2 feet In width. The bottom timbers
are laid soidly together, but the upper LAYERS lie
to bottom. There is a large chamber below, ami
an engine on the casson was perretually at
work to lorco &; air into the hollow space ana expe
1t should reach Its destination. The total weight is
2soS TONS. Tae structure was covered with iron Ca
ropes T and % eansians:p p a,. The T dock l' built ii
s % I. sse'ss 's 5sSss g's rests wss as
fsSrdary Is nSW thirteen s ' feet below NV shA Il
composed of Clay gravel and large % bouIders TG HAS has
hs process piles were dven and into fto tie fS hosss
Many Of the boulders were over ten tons i'm Weight
ana were DESTROYED by explosion, through the
means OF divers. This work was prosecuted al night
The cost Of thus clearing the ground has been about
$35, 900.
Many of the spectators present were of opinion
tnat a basis OF solid rock would be preferable
Tor the caiss0n, but rock Is to he
found only at depth of ninety.seven feet
and the present foundation will be equally
flrm. AT ten minutes past ten O'Clock
the lines were cut Off from the tugboais and under
the superintendent Of the gentlemen In charge
the cass0n was safely and snuQly placed In It's final
position without confusion or damage.
The cass0n will now be topped with twelve
courses Of twelve inch Georgia pie laid on at right
angles, In addition to two courses already laid and
the interstces are to be filled In with concrete The
monster Will then be sunk upon the bed already
prepared for her reception, about twenty
feet below high tide, and the water being |
pumped out air will be forced In, and large
force OF laborers will commence excavatIng with. |
In the casson, which, in this position, is but huge
chamber. by this process she will be sunk from |
thirty to flity feet deeper after which The construc-
ton OF masonry will be immediately commenced, |
ana, under the energetic infringement OF Mr. Kings
ley and Colonel Roebng, land their efficient assist.
ants, the construction OF the East river bridge,
which may now be termed almost an ACCOMPLISHED |
fact, Will he rapidly pushed to final completion