New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1883-08-02
A GREAT ENGINEERING TASK.
THE BEDLoEs ISLAND COLOSSUS.

THE BEDLOE'S ISLAND COLOSSUS.
PROGRESS OF THE WORK ON THE PEDEsTAL-Ex-
CAvATIoNs TO BE FINISHED THIS WEEK.
General Stone has been anxious recently about
the slow progress made in the work OF excavation
on Bedoes Island. The extraordinary character OF
the old subTerranean structures there while IL has
greatly delayed operations, has. however reassured
him in some degree to the bottom for the founda
tion of the pedestal for the colossal statue OF
Luerty to be erected. Although the weight OF the
bomb proofs and cIsterns may be nothing in conf
parison with the weight which is to be placed there.
yet they we're so massive ana so pondeioqs Una, tnae
without the sinking even fractional part OF an
inch as has been the case. The excavation is now
completed the northern side, and one can easily
trace the line of che concrete upon which he founda-
ton of these underground works rested, aud II is
clear that 1t did not move particle. The engineer
who built old Fort Wood evidently satisned hini-
self of the soldity of the bottom before he COM
menced his labors. General stone says that ne is
satisfied that there is perfect bottom for his foun
daton, but i'll a work OF importance II is necessary
to make assurance dOubly sure for the beneht OK
Others who might not feel the same certainty as
himself.
On tile southern side of the excavation, which is
ninety feet square and sixteen feet deep, the con-
tractor at work upon 'he lntractaDie cIstern
THIS is Duit in two sections united In tine centre by
a thick wal of brick with opening through
which the waters could How. The shape OF tue
clstern is that of double cylinder lie SIDE OF
the northern cylinder was pierced and the water
run into the great drain which passes underneath
the ramparts and communicates with the bay ms
emptlrd the cisern to the level of the draln but as
the former is much deeper pump bias been rugged
aud an Italian works at il vigorously all day long
excepting at the intervals when assaults nitro
glycerlne are made upon the walls. Inc Walls arc
of brick and cement, are dlsheareuingly 3 out
They are too soft to be rent apart by any explo-
siycs and too strong TO ne worked with
a pIck-aXe. Inc only possible way is to shatter
them with numerous Charges OF nltro-glycerlne'
fired simultaneously by electricity along the NnOle
line OF the walls. Then the persuasive influences OF
the Gro WOar brought INTO play, and the wall IS
rennVp1 in for nothing separate the
bricks and cement. Annoying as me delay IN, lot
the concrete cannot he ad after the frost makes us
appearance, General Stone expressed to u TRIBUNE
reporter his hearty admiration oil Inc man
ner IN which the fort was butt
Uncle SAM" said the General rs generally well
served by his engineers but here he was particularly
well served. 1hs tougbness, though Is most an
MOVING Tor the frOss begin III OctoDer. ana really
have only sixty days 10 lay my concrete loundA-
ton. TINS will be a solid mass ninety feet square
aud forfy-eight feet IN neignt. To give an idea OF
the solid contents may say that shall have TO
mix and lay every day for sixty days the amount
of concrete materials that scOw OF the largest size
can BRING. | must tTect ueste from the
dock to the ram part, put On that uamway tur-
nIshed with carriers. have steam engine 10 MI II
from the scOw to the tramNaS, and nave derrlcks
armed with huge vessels to shoot IL into the e1eaVa
ton"
so saving General Stone threw away the end of n
cigarette he smoking, and meeting the cou-
tractor gave lin orders 10 put on nifty more
llanans, 10 give up the caring business. ana az All
hazards have. the Work hnlsned by saturday
nignt. He doubted, however. II he could get IT
done in that time. but not quite sure that IT
was impossible, as RED by some visitors To
The tort who were familiar with construction work
of "A heavy character. General Stone wishes To
have his Dorlugs made on next Monday these he
now regards as merely periunctory, precAutlYn
and no mos e. so that ne may be enabled 10 make
a full report to the Executive Committee, and
obtain ITS orders for the immediate prosecution
OF the LAYING of the concrete anu tue preliminary
constructions which Will he necessary. Ii Is not
known whether "A contract Will be gwen Tor the
concrete and another Tor the stone work OF the
pedestal OF whether General Stone will be drected
10 do the work himself The lat or course may be
adopted because contractors for ncayy Struction
of TINS character will MOI bid or the concrete alone
or Tor the stonewofk alone. They say thai the pre-
hmiuary constructions are so expensive mat no
man can afford put them up for hall tine job, ana
then take them down and give place 10 another
MAN vino VIII then have 70 put up hls own.