New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-01-19
THE SOCIETY OF CIVIL ENGLNEERS.

INSPECTING THE ERIE BASIN DRY DOCKS, THE
BRIDGE AND TIE MILLS BUILDING.
About fifty members of the American Society Of
Civil Engineers met at the society's house in East
Twenty -thirdst yesterday morning. aud proce eded
by the Third Avenue Elevated Railroad TO the
new Barge Office at the Battery. There the CON-
pany embarked upon the Navy Yard tug that Com
modore Upshur had placed at their disposal and
were borne out into the hsrbor, which was filed
with ice cleaning IN the bright sunlight, around
Governors Island and to the great dry docks at the
Erie Basin. There they were met by j. f. Slmp-
sou, the builder of the docks and two of his sons,
who, together with NJ. NJ. TIdd and +.
c. Prndle, members of the society.
explained in detail the construction and
workings of these great ship hospitals. More than
an hour was spent by the engineers in examining
the two gates, the larger of which Is one hum
dred feet in length Ia inspecting the basins which
Will accommodate vessels nearly SIX hundred feet
long; and in studying the great pumping engines,
which draw the water from either dock in less than
two hours he merits of different kinds OF pump
ing engines were discussed and the advantages Of
stone docks and of those made of wood only were
maintained in the groups that stood near the edges
of the great basins or beneath the hu OF two huge
steamers on whose sides the clinkins OF workmens
hammers made lively DIN.
From the dry docks the engineers were conveyed
Bridge. As the company disembarked and locked
up at the line of l0Ose Dlanks that were laid
on the floor beams and seemed to hang IN
of them come to the conclusion that they were
not exactly well that day, aud that the interest OF
science would be very we'll taken care of even II
they didn't cross the stream that slender foot
path. As result of this decision part OF the
engineers were taken over the nyer by the tug
while the marched boldly up Futon-st. to the
beginning OF the Brooklyn approach Phe con-
structlon of this work was carefully inspected by
them under the guidance of engineers connected
with the bridge When the open work of tine
bridge proper r tached and the house toDs and
moving forms the streets looked hall mile or 30
below while the path stretched out over the water
till apparently caue 10 point the party was again
divided az linst itself as 10 he necessity OF walk
ing over after ali. Those who had no doubt abo ut
| the condition of their health pushed forward and
were out beyond the lofty arches oil the tower be-
| fore their companions decided To follow them.
The planks when were not III any way fastened 10
the floor beams, tilted aud creaked and wobbed IN
| the mos neTye'Ils urOlng manner while the work
| men skipped from beam 10 beam, or ran along The
narrow giTders ike cas- on Oach fence. The en-
gIneers, their health being regained, discussed
calmly the strength of materials and the gam IN
strength and II ,huneas that had been made ny SUBJ
stituting steel for iron an The bridge struc ure.
When the gull had he n passed the company pro-
cecded TO DeimOncOs restaurant IA WIliiim-st. to
repair heir wasted enersles ahd disturbed nerves
with 4 luncheon here they were met by those
who had crossed the river Ia the tug From Del
mcnico's the party went to the Mills Building IN
Broau-st., where George h. Post, the architect OF
the building. rec1unted the peculiar aud uuexpeot-
ea difficulties met with in lis construc Ion, whi,h
was accomplished, he SAID, IN spite OF the many
obstacles in about ten months lie took the COM
pauy AL through the structure and explained tue
ingenious temp Tary eXpedlents which had been
ussd TO overcome the difficult In its erection. The
next place visited was the New-Iork Steam Conn
pany's works in Greenwlcn-St, VIII ch weIeeAainined
nader the gudancs OF William i. Snlnn ami iaries
h. Emery members Of the society. The company
then dispersed tor the afternoon.
In the evening pleasant informal reception was
given at the house OF the society, at which more
than 100 members and specially invited guests
were present. The time from till 10 o'clock was
spent I'D social chat and professional discussion.
Al the latter hour the engineers realized that the
long table in the back room was loaded lar
beyond the point of safety, aud they therefore
began TO relieve the ugerous strain upon IT, Inc
performance of this agreeable DUTY lasted until .
late hour when lac company broke up in the best OF
spirits. Among the members aud guess present
we're Albert Fink, Charles Paine, Professor W. r
Trowbridge ). X. Filley, F. T. Dickinson, L. s.
Bowen y. Chanute, w. q. Hamilton, I. T. Emery
W. F. Shinn and A. b. Pane, of New-York; W. X
Curtis, of RocAland, Mass; James y. Osgood, OF
Milton, Mass; James X. Cross, of IOnkeTs; 4. d.
Andrews of NOrfo k Va; j. A. Partridge. OF syria
cuse; H. Bssell, of SALEM Mass; Benz ann Rhoades
o. niagara rails J. +. Croweil, OF Plttso9rg Pennj
Professor K. Ii. Ihurston, of Hoboken; f. d. Lea,
w.t. OF CamOridgeport, Mass; George l.. Nose anu
+. ). Ihiibuck, OF Boston aud {. u. Darrach aue
u. r., Aiichat lis of Philadei pbla.