New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1875-06-04
LETTERS FROM THE PEOPLE
WATERFRONT ENGINEERING.

ruoRoUGHNEss OF GEN. MCIELLAN's sYsrEM-A
LETTER FROM Ex-coMMIssIoNER WILLIAM WOOD.
70 the Editor OF The Tribune.
SIR: In an article in this mornings TRIBUNE
headed "water-front Engineering" am happy 20 see
that Ia conceded that the general impression that
Gen Mcclellan intended to surround the city with stone
piers One of my objects in addressingyou
on the Doth inst 10 vindicate Gen. Mcclellan from
the mputation OF any such folly, and am glad that
have succeeded in doing After having himself given
full consideration 70 the best materials for the wk
head walls for the waterfront of city, Gen. McCle
Ian obtained leave from the Commissioners of Docks to
consult with Gen. @ A. Gilmore. United states Corps of
Engineers. upon this very important subject Gen. Gill
had had probably the largest experience In such
matters OF any engineer in the United States. and with
his cooperation very thorough examination was made
OF the whole subject The question To the use OF Port
land cement or cement discussed and de-
cded upon and only but the very best brand OF
the Portland cement selected for there Is material
difference of quality in tho various brands and the only
certainty as to making thoroughly good and Trustworthy
B4tu blocks TO use the brand and quality Of the
Portland cement
It's tre that the foundations OF the sub piers OF that
str,cture new Pier No l. North Rver upon which the
arches erected placed on an irregular sheVmg
rock bottom admitting very defective adhesion, ana
those very cribs filled with concrete formed OF the
same proportions that used al Canas and lowered
in the same way through current of at last three knots
Of activity &C. &C. Nothing said here about the EN-
ployment divers about the foundations OF the sub
piers Of now Pier No l. North River which is the very
point at The foundations of that structure were
very carefully prepared by Gen Mcclellan; the mud was
first OF all drcdged out entirely from The crevces OF the
rocky bottom then rprap stones 20 the necessary qua
then divers sent down 10 rectiy
any rreguary the surface slope OF the sides tnen
small stones thrown in upon the top OF the rrip
al up al creyices, and again divers were sent down 10
tie surface smooth and the surface so arranged
divers spread layer Of Portland cement, ana on the
surface prepared the wooden cribs were lowered ana
The huge Bt0n blocks placed IN stu by the dock derrick
hut all inc
the proper setting of the blocks as well
a. the regularity OF the sub-fOundation.
Whether the careful pn Of laying the foundations.
by dredging out the mud before throwing in the nip
rap. &c. &c has been pursued since Gen. McClellans
retirement. of cannot say. II the system pro
posed between piles into mold, 10
form the buklead without the aid Of divers 70 see that
the and remain properly mixed after the
dumping process has been successfully practlced by
OF tie most eminent engineers n England France,
aud other European countries vel "a throughout the
United States" then only that Gen Mcclellan
and Gilmore from their experience preferred,
FIR safety sake. 10 prepare Bottom blocks, in the open
air OF the best and lower them when so pre-
pared by derrick sending down divers 10 adjust the
blocks sulIev their properly prepared f0undatlon
Neo- YORK., May p, 1879. WILLIAM WOOD