The New York herald. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1840-1920, 1871-05-09
BRO0KLYN BRIDGE.
launch OF the Colossal CaissOn for The New
York Shore TCwer.
A Brilliant Assemblaye Witnessing the Structure
Take Water-A Successful Glide On the
Briny Tide-scenes and Incidents

In consequence Of the announcement by Messrs
Bell & Webb that the mammoth caisson for the
New York shore foundations Of the East River
bridge was completed, and would be launched yes
terday, their shpbulding yard, at the foot OF sixth
street. taken possession OF by about 5000 ladies'
and gentlemen, who had attended to witness the
colossal structure stake water" In addition to the
crowd in the yard tue piers extending some 200 yards
on either side, were lined with excited sghtseers.
Housetops, neghboring buildings, vessels, piles OF
timber and fences were positions considered worthy
OF q premium at the time places Of .'hgh" stand.
ing Everybody wanted to get as high In the world
as possible Workmen Ia the various manufactures
surrounding were leaning out Of the windows up to
their elbows in linen, which terminated at that point
In roll. The deck OF the steamship DaKotah
lying on the north side Of the yard, pre-
sented as cheerful an aspect as the "grand
stand" on race course, with bellies and
beaux; charming blondes In elegant attire and smil-
Ing fasidous brunettes srutted the weather-beaten
deck with all The OF civil engineers await
ing the result Of the launch. The interior OF the
yard was still mora lively, some OF the "weaker
sels' going far as to pay visit to the great air
look Of the monstrous caisson from beneath the
ways, feat recurring considerable caution and not
altogether unattended with danger. Then mum.
Der OF the visitors climbed the LADDER and
MOUNTED TO THE DECK OF THIS MASSIVE sTRUC-
and promenaded over floor covered with coils OF
rope, pieces OF iron and timber, and nasty sticky
tar, about quarter of an int in thickness
woody substance, which was SO captivating to the
sole Of the foot, that when the latter in
with the former there was strong prediction to
''hold fast" reminding one Of
Sheepskin and beeswax,
Thunder, pitch and plaster.
Everybody who had respectable coat on and didn't
ask the policeman stationed at the foot Of he ladder
II he 'mght' go up any one asking the privilege
was refused ar once), took view from the deck Of
the cass0n the East river to the river side
mansions OF Greenpoint.
This ugly looking mass OF timber and sheet iron
possesses many novel and Instructive points Of
country; for every suggestion Of experience study
offered ny the most prominent men IN the bridge
building profession has been considered aud applied
insthe Structures consequently great many engi-
neers from all parts OF the States were there to
officials from Washington were in attendance
Tor the purpose OF obtaining points ana positively
W w WA an inc %ncn n WAS a made AS
ways. "waysn \ mad the appearance OF an immense
%Ser BOOK Or rm all sq nafs with 1os
bolts and bands of enormous strength. 1t Is
rectangular IN shape, lI2 feet long, io2 feet wide
base and will weigh about % 600 tons. The minor
details OF construction were previously published
shortly after eleven O'Clock Mr. Webb Colonel
Pain, Colonel Roeblng, William Colli2gwood. Gene
b
number OF distingaes arrived, and the old boat
swain in charge OF the work shouted for the shaw
eerS' in reply to his thunder SIX steam tuwbOats
rushed u,, and the h.H serS being 'paid Out,'' the
cry IAN ready" was raised and general cheer
told that the side blocks and shoppers had been
removed. The steamers were lying to and the
crowd was on the tiptoe OF expectation. when
SUDDENLY THE WHOLE STRUCTURE SHOOK
and moved forward Few feet subsequently leap
ing into the water as easily and gracefully as we'll
built YACHT; and as the company on deck rushed 70
the cene OF the casson loud cheers greeted the men
who nave had charge OF the work, ana general
reclamation went forth that the launch was an nit
aCCon,pH. The instant this pondcrous mass leapel
Toward the top OF the dock as though occasonel
50 quickly that the tugs had not time 70 set Gus IL
the way before 1t dashed over the stsrh aid on to
the deck OF each, washing everything before 1t,
rafting them one against the other and causing
two or three small boats to dance up ana down
LIKE STRAwS IN A WIIRLwlND
to the CONSERVATION OF their occupants. One boat
was thrown against the Twenty fourth precinct
police yacht with such violence that man
thrown 10 the side OF the latter, and he chung
10 her side he gracefully dipped again and
again until he represented Landseer's 'DrowDed
Rat.'' This, OF course caused a general laugh,
though the bedipped Individual probably looked
tho casson entered the briny deep 1t sank down
eight feet six inches into IT, leaving SIX feet above
the surface. This was reduced subsequently TO two
feet and q haf IL was then found necessary TO
OF air IN The chambers to force out the water
and keep 1t aioat. The caisson Will DE lowed from
the dock to-day across to Greenpont where 1t VIII
receive OF timber before 1t Is taken to
ferry. Nothing could be more successful thar the
launch, which proves that the engineers have pro-
0ed by the difficulty In boating the one now sunk
and built upon on the BROOKLYN side OF the river.