New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1881-01-23
RAISING THE OBELISK.
SCENES IN CENTRAL PARK.
TIE CROWD AT The KNOLL NEAR THE MUSEUM

4 AuE NhOWD Al HE hNOLL NEAh MUofOh ot
ART-THE MONOLITH AGAIN ON ITS BASE
The obelisk raised yesterday in Central Pork.
The time set for the performance was precisely at
noon. From IL o'clock, however. steady stream
of persons poured into the open space on the knoll
near the Metropolitan Museum Of Art, and by the
time appointed four or FIVE thousand had assembled
Along the drive. far as the eye could see, there
was line of handsome sleigSs and carriages. Many
spectators watched the spectacle from the windows
| Of the Museum.
At quarter to IL the music of a band was heard,
and a battalion from the Brooklyn Navy Yard came
marching into the Park at the Eighty-second-st
gate. The battalion was under the command OF
| Observation-Disclosures William H. Whiting. First
| marched 40 marines under Captain Bishop; then
$50 sailors from the United States steamers Mime
| sofa and Powhatan, with Lieutenants Little and
Grimes at their head. The battalion marched past
the Museum and form I'd two sides Of square, the
marines to the north and the sailors to the east Of
the obelisk. few minutes after ~ a salute Of the
battalion announced the approach of the Secretary
of State Mr. Evarts and the Secretary Of the Navy.
Mr. Golf. Lieutenant Commander Gorrlnge met
| them at the drive and escorted them, the band
playing march, to temporary stand
which had been erected just east OF the
obeisk for the invited guests. There they were
| welcomed by PART; Commissioners Lane, Wales and
Olliile, Mr. MacLcan noe making his appearance
until later. The two Secretaries and the Park Com
missiOners formed n group at the edge OF the plat
form and stood watching the movements OF Lieu
tenant-Commander Gorrnge, who had fastened
toward the obelisk to make ready for the lowering.
Near them stood Alexander NJ. Agnew. Collector
Merritt and Professor Doremus and his wife, The
platform was crowded with the invited guests,
among whom were many ladies. There were also
II o. %,,Aya
wearing thcruniforns Commander Hof Of Admit
raj POrters staff. had come from Washington to
represent Admiral Porter Commodore Cooper, of
the Navy Yard. was represented by Lieutenant
Cole his aid. Among the others present
Ts5s the ss Rev. Of DR. til: snesr"r c coa
Controller Campbell, D.,xter A. Hawkins, General
Thomas Hunter, Edgar s. Van Wrinkle, Henry A.
Mott, General n. NJ Curtis. James h. Serrell. John
Bryce John,I. Bradley, Joseph BIumental' Luther
Charles A. Meigs, Gordon N. Burnham the Rev. Dr.
Aikman,. of Aurora, James +. Babcock; VIII
lam y Conkhn, F. w Blauve It, Aaron a. 5. Wander der
tain Luce. Captain Gheyardl. Paymaster Stewart.
Lieutenant Mansfield. Lieutenant Gibson, CaptaIn
James Wilson, Captain Z; +. McCrea. Lieutenant
Hanford and Lieutenant Delano
The last support, except one. Of the trestle on
which the obelisk had rested in its journey from
Fiuh-ave was removed by IL o'clock. and at ~ it
was resting on the heavy IRON trunnlOns near its
centre. 1t was almost exactly horizontal, with Its
base toward Fifth-ave. and 1t was almost evenly
balanced The apex was two OF tnTee leeI aO1y"
its position by two strong ropes one attached TO IT'S
base and the other to its apex. which were fastened
to iron stakes about 100 feet east ~ the pc
dcsta There were four IRON cables also fastened to
the apex and structure at right ang o, to each other
They were about 200 feet Ill length aud were last
These were loosened by the gang Of men under
Lieu enant-C commander GorrInec few minutes be-
fore H.. Al 1905 Licutenant-Commander Go5r, ing.
approached Secretary Eyarts ana announced tnaC
everything was ready. He then took up his position
twenty feet FROM tho 0bellsk ana waved his wnite
handkerchief, which he held III his right hand. TO
Mr. Price, his as3stant, as signal Tor nm u Degn
The wOrknen hastily removed sone rubbish Wnicn
was at the foot of tue stanchions. on when tue
truunions rested. and at 12:09 the ropes were
Oosened, and the obesk began Slowly TO assume
a perpendicular position. Mr. Gorringe looked
were two gangs of men ut work, one at the rope
attached to the base and the other at the rope at
tacn to the apex so tnat the ho,on OF Inc oDcilsk
could he accelerated or retarded. When 10 reached
an angle of 10 .at wnicn 1t balanced almost exactly,
Llcutcnant Commander GOrringe ordered the men
TO halt. He then explained 10 Secretary Eyars that
there was a photographer present, who wished to
take "A picture of the stone in that position.
60 ahead with your photograph" he called out.
The enterprSing photographer completed ms
work in moment, and the Obelisk was soon started
again. Ju { as 1t moved, several blocks, which had
been fastened near It's apex Tell, narrowly missing
one of the wurkmcn, and shower oil Ice also came
crashing down. No one was struck however, aud
at 1918 the obesk was III vertical position, WIN
It's base eight or nine inches above the pedestal,
on which 1t WAS TO rest. Lleutenant-COnl-
mandey Gorringe smIied ard stepping up u Secle-
tary Evarts, raised his nat. lie secretary con-
graduated him warmly. The crowd gave Three
CHEERS and then three more. The band struck up
" Han Columbia" ard the visitors crowded around
10 shake tue Lcu,enant- Commander by the nand.
His face fairly Dcamed lie received the greetings
of his friends, the majority OF whom concluded
their remarks by inviting him to lunch. tie declined
all invitations however, aud sara lnut nc OIuh
feel like resting until tie remainder OF the work
had been completed. Secretary Eyarts remarked
that he sIJulu rest better nov lie also had been 80
anxious about the Obesk that no haPnt
slept al all oil late. Alter tine enthusiasm had sue,
sided eutOnan- Commander GOrrnge cfcOrteu
Secretary Evarts and Secretary Con 10 their car
rage The batta ion marched away WIN tile Dahu
playing, and the greater part OK the crowd aus
perscd few remained 10 lnspec1 ."o and MSs
Doremus aud Miss Estelie Doremus Lieutenant
Commander Gorrlnge explained 10 them MS work,
saving IN concln,on: by lar the most difficult
part Of the undertaking was putting the ooesk III
the steamer and getting it out again. Nhat we
did to-day easy enough. ~
At 3 O'clock, Lieutenant -COninanGer Gorrllge
bcean the work OF lowering the obellsk 10 the
PEDESTAL THIS was done by slightly lOoNcnllg TIC
trlinnIons winch hold the obeSk at Tue cehtTe
Long screws connected these with the plates sup,
portIug IL at tho base. heSe screws were tneh a
lurned at the same time aud tho stone was SLOWLY
lowered. The work advanced very SONY, anu IL
was not competed until after dark. ne CRABS
winch TO be attached TO lts oaSc, VIII 10 Pldoe"
III position in two Or three DAYS. on |
The height OF the obcllSl from base TO UP Is W
feet and 2 inches. Its base IS leet % lnGhcS
square through ITS axis ITS top Is leet . IhchtS
Is weight is 2t0la cons. The height OF tie pedestal
is q feet inches; at the base II 10 ieet . III
chcs square, and at the top feet and men SQUARE
It's weight is 40 rOnS. The height Oi the Iounualio
IN fent 10 inches II is II feet inches square ~
the bottom ana ~ feet GIG inches az the top. It's
weight is S73l tons. The Total neght OF t1e 2DeIsh
and Its base aud pedestal Is 90 ieet anu IL IucheS'
lint ofnI .tuhf Ig '