The New York herald., 1878-07-09
THE FALLEN ARCH.

coRoNER woLTNAN BEGINS HIS INVESTIGATION
INTO THE CAUSES OF THE EAST yoRTY-sKC-
oND STREET pIsAsTER-THE TESTIMONY.
Coroner Woltman yesterday held an inquest in the
case OF Thomas Joyce and Patrick Lynch, who were
killed the 29h ult py the falling OF the arch In East
Forty-secon1 street. The Coroner's once was crowded
with Witnesses and interested spectators Two women
deep mourning attracted attention They were the
widows of the two men who we're crushed 70 death
beneath the ruins.
Commissioner Allan Campbell, Of the Department
Of Public Works, called 10 the stand. He pre-
ssntsd and explained the plans ana specification Of the
bridge. According 70 these the was be con-
structed two feet thick with the best quality of
hard burned North River brick laid In consecutive
rings and In sections Of not less than atty feet each
except the last section, which be OF length
40 required. The ends Of each section oon-
structod with especial reference making complete
and perfect connection with the next
ceediDg section By raising back tho bfickwork,
and as soon after as any Of the bricks had been
keyed, ''when tho mortar has become stin not fully
SET the oentrinR" the words OF specification,
'shall be slightly loossned to allow the bricks
press the mortar"
Mr.. Campbell was closely questioned by the Jurors
regarding the manner In which those specifications
bad been carried out He gave Il his opinion that
the contractor did his duty faithfully. and con-
vioced that lie spechcasIons had been honestly
rooR AxD BADLY xIxED noRrAR.
John c. Campbell, Chief Engineer or the Depart
msnt Of Pubic Works, next testified He said iI
he VINO prepared tho plans and specifications OF the
worx tne aOutmsnt OF the tunnel built last fall
aud LIE masonry was begun IN The spring; witness
me he reviewed and took notes Of the worx was
on the 5th OF June; shortly alter tnat time
m o% .s 70 % sas. ~ oy sr
considered 1t VI poor quality; In has opinion IL was
not properly mixed; his assistant had at one time
complained OF the inferior quality of the mortar. the
filing IN was doneJby earth being dumped on loosely
wtness said that in his opinion the accident was
osused by excessive dumping on the hips OF The arch
particularly on the north sdc whica buiged up the
crown Of the arch.
Patrick O'Brien, OF No. 3a4 East Twenty fourth
OF Public Works, next testified. He said no was en-
ployed inspector OF the bridge the beginning
OF the strusture, August ~, 1874 In answer 10
Coroner, he SAID he was employed TO that Tho
was performed according 10 tho specifications.
Pease state TO the jury the exact condition OF the
WORK on June 90"
.'Befors the date mentioned" said the witness,
"the centres were easod 10 give the mortar time 10
submergs, until suen time AZ we ready to remove
them Inc arch looked secure that day
nrst day It was put up one sido OF the arch however,
looked ghtod by large quantity OF dtrt nav.
Ing been Thrown upon It."
That was the composition ofthe mortar, was 1t Of
'It was hrst class; 1t was made Of two shovels Of
clay or ono Of csment cannot scooun. ior the aocl
don't In any way, except that the arch over.
weighted side and this caused buigiug Al inc
ccntra"
Is 1t your duty also attend TO the proper ailing
OF the ?"
ayes; the Alling done properly and regularly
up 10 that time BY carts and BY laborers win
shoveis."
Where were you when tho arch fell n2"
''About nve MINUTES previously was standing right
under the section that gave way tho centre OF
the arcn 20 up and the crash folowed.'
"Dd you see that the works were carried accord.
Ing to tho specification ?" asked by Juror.
''Yes certainly" was the reply. III consulted tho
specification every day I always carried the plan
all right"
Olhsr witnesses testified, but no new light was
thrown the accident and further investigation was
adjourned until tho 1lth INST.