Daily Kennebec journal. [microfilm reel] (Augusta, Me.) 1870-1975, 1877-11-13
From the Belfast Journal. !

houses, ana structures covering vast me-
chanical appliances. 1t is only seven
years since the first blow was struck TO
wrest from this rugged spot its tribune of
wealth. AT about that time, or little be-
tore. this ocean ledge was purchased, by
It's present proprietor, for the sum of one
thousand dollars. To-day who can tell
its valueP The island has an area OF only
one hundred acres on the level, but its
conical shape gives it great cubic
measurement. 1t is picturesque sight
to one approaching from the sea,-this
rugged isle with its glistening white gran
ite, It's green hr trees, and its many
quaint buildings. One wonders how the
trees are nourlshed. for there is very lit
tie soil. but one wonders at many things
if he visits Hurricane Island. And most
of all he marvels at the busy brain which
has conceived and is now carrying for
ward the enterprise OF quarrying granite
from this uncOmprOmising spot ilu.
To General Davis Tillson, of Rockland.
belongs the honor of this achievement.
and to him also belongs the island and
all there is upon it except the human be-
ings and some of their dwellings. Having
had thorough training, he brought q
peculiar fitness to his sell-appointed task
iorJoined to executive ability of the high
est order, it requires almost military dis
cipline to successfully conduct q great
enterprise like this.
There are now employed on Hurricane
about 600 men. The principal contract
Is 10 furnish granite for the St. Louis Gus
tom house and post oflice,-a building,
which is TO rise to the height OF 1874 feet,
with frontage of 232 by III feet; this
struc ure was commenced in August, '73,
Every stone Is quarred and cut exactly
Tor its place, numbered and sent on to
st. Louis. The old system of Is per cent.
contracts is done away with, by which the
government gave the quarries Is per cent.
of the money expended for wages, etc. '
Now the government pays a certain sum
per cubic loot tor the stone cut, and the
blocks are let out to cutters as piece work.
For some stones requiring intricate work,
the workmen receive large sums. The
cutters on Hurricane island are making
good wages. The pay roll each month
covers great sum. ~
All blasting is done by powder: the
drilling is, much of it, done by steam, and
in fact steam is the power universally ap-
piled here. There is an air-compressor,
for drills, of sixty horse power. A rail-
road Of eight feet gauge runs into the
quarry; and here the stone is lifted by
steam on to two ingenius cars, which re-
quire special description, and is run along
to the sheds where IT is to be cut, or to the
wharf where 1t is to be shipped, If in the
rough. or to the pile where it is compactly
deposited. These cars are an invention of
Gen. Tilson's, on which he holds thirteen
different patents. One end OF the car is a
box containing dummy engine of great
strength; the remainder OF the car is
long platform to hold the load, and ON it
stands crane or sort ot derrick, run by
the propeling engine. and used, of course,
to lit on the stone. AS can be Imagined.
the load is taken on, run down to its des-
tination and unloaded in "A remarkably
short space OF time.
On the wharf stands another marvel In
mechanics. in the form of an enormous
crane worked by an engine near bv OF
tremendous power. This crane turns
around on cannon balls, as does the dome
of an astronomical observatory. 1t is ca.
pable of lifting and depositing within ves-
sells, stones OF many tons weight; yet so
perfect is it in its mechanical balance, that
child could run il. Seeing it in operation
one might almost imagine he saw the Ia
nous Archimedean lever at work before
his eyes. 1t is in part the invention of
Gen. Tilson.
In the polishing mills there are steel
disks, OF perhaps eighteen inches in diam
eter, revolving over the faces OF the stones,
giving the granite high and enduring
polish. which brings out the hidden beau
ties of the stone, making the crystals
translucent and brilliant; this Hurricane
Island granite. when thus finished, reveals
a variety OF colors, and is by many thought
to be as handsome as the famous Scotch.
There is an arrangement here by which
stone twenty-five ieet long can be polished
on its entire length at one time. We saw
one OF that length undergoing the process.
In another room some monumental work
was being done; this latter is a branch OF
business TO be yet more fully developed al
Hurricane. A large business is done also
IN furnishing paving stones for Philade-
phia and New York. Great piles OF these
shop is probably the largest in the State OF
Maine. 1t is lS0 feet long, 30 feet wide,
and contains IA forges, but not all OF
these are used now. As u great amount OF
water is required, the General is having
new reservoir constructed, which, when
full, can hold million gallons OF water.
The island is twelve miles from Rock
land, and ut times is entirely inaccessible
on account OF rough sea and storms,
therefore all the wants OF the hundreds
there employed must be looked alter So
there is market, called Fulton Mar
ket," where Boston beef and other meat
is always ready Tor purchasers. Back oil
this is All ice house and refrigerator. Near
by, in large buildings, is one OF those
stores ''ot infinite variety" where almost
anything can be obtained. Within wild
and beautiful valley there are six large
boarding houses. A public hall with
seating capacity for 700 persons, affords
place tor the debating society, dances and
other social gatherings. The seventy-fvs
or eighty houses in the lillle village be-
long to the workmen, and they pay