New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-07-23
MIXING READY FOR THE GREAT STATUE.

DIFFICULTIES or THE WORK ON BEDLoEs ISLAND
The work OF excavation on BedlOe's Island
for the foundation Of tho pedestal Tor ths statue OF
Liberty IA going with extreme sloNness IN appear
ance but in reality with as much rapidly as could be-
expcced under the peculiar circumstances There is ut
present lutte dggng, for the bottom has beeu reached
IN at least Two POTTS. and the force OF aborers Is en-
,loyed mainly upon the suoterranean structures which
nrked beneath the parade ground. General stone made
n report to the Executive Committee oil the situation
in which the contractor Mr.. Cleno"lth found
himself and was authorized to assure Kim that they
would act fairly in the matter, and do whatever was
right Mr. Chenowith has been using blasting powder
freely and has removed the north side all but one
ponderous wall OF subterranean bomb-proot The
foundation however has proved refractory. and one
huge mass les the sand, composed OF fragments OF
brick and rough cement made from pounded shells.
which has resisted sunpowder Holes have been drilled
in different parts and charged with powder but the
explosion only drives hole clean through the mass
without shatterng IT, The persuasive powers OF duaun
will be shortly tried This explosive, afOrm OF dynamite
il made Of brown paper rags stepped In nrogycorne
The charge Is prepared III the form Of rocket IL is
simply placed upon mass which 1t 10
desired to shatter, q hole having been previously
drilled through the duan with psnkniie, ana In this
mole IA xcd the sow-match The charge is then thor
gny covered with wet sand or mud or anything that
win act IA tamp the slow match is lighted and every
one gets IN a sheltered quickly possible.
MAS generally result OF smashing the object on which
the charge placed into pieces the size OF ones list
General stone gone TO Florida at the request Of
the CAPITALISTS connected with tho Florida Shp-CaRal
scheme AZ they wish have his opinion upon its prac
ticabnlty. During mis- absence Colonel Valentine pro-
fsssor OF engineering In a Southern college, and Mr.
simpson carry ont his instructions There was some
reason for believing last week that there would be
good bottom for foundation Us soil OF loamy sand
was reached in which were pieces OF shale
rock very micaceous, that crumbled at the
least pressure. This kind OF soil still
continues in that part Of the excavations, though with
the shale are found small powders of granite CON-
posed of hornbende and quartz. These have evidently
been rolled by the action OF the But In another
corner the bottom has been reached with different KIND
of soil Here The sand mixed with Jumps OF dried mud,
and larger or stone found irregular IN
shape and with sign OF rolling. AS the excavations
have hitherto been confined To the northern half OF the
required area. the southern half being occupied by the
tom mar be- and General stones resolution 10 believe
nothing but TO know absolutely by OF numerous
bOrngs is shown be tue only sensible plan. Colonel
Valentine has Just completed series OF diggDgs To as.
certain strength the inner retaining wall OF the old
fort four feet thick az the top ana from
an ancient map Of tue fort lent by General
Hancock IL appears that the thickness Increases as IL
descenoa and becomes feet thick at the fsunda
ton. THIS will be ample for the requirements OF The
foundations Unfortunately the retaining walls OF the
only be utilized Oh three OF tho four sides