Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1885-06-21
STANDING ON A ROPE.
The Perilious Perch of the WOrkmen
On the Washington Monument.


On the Washington Monument,
From, the Warrington Post
The elevator of the Washington Monu-
ment stood ready for an ascent yesterday
morning, loaded down with a huge coil Of
rope. another of smaller size, a narrow
plank and several tools. The rope in the
nrst coil was four and a half inches in
circumference, and both coils were wo-
ven with extraordinary care from manila
of the stOutest quality and afterwards
thoroughly tested. "NOW we are ready"
said Superintendent Mclaughlin as ne
stepped into the elevator, accompanied by
a carpenter and two Triggers, whose nerves
had often been tried in the work on the
great Obellsk. In ten minutes the eleva-
tor reached the base OF the pyramidal
roof and stopped. From this point inte-
rior ladders ran up a distance of 30 feet,
and reached the base OF the window d.
rectly under the capstOne and looking
south. Climbing up with their accOutre-
ments and staying themselves as best
they could by clinging 10 the stone arches
and crOss-pieces Of the interior con-
structiOn, Mclaughlin and his men ran
toe plank out of the window until about
TWO feet Of it projected over the ledge.
The other end was securely dashed by
piece of the stout rope to a beam below.
LAAtuuN tLiE waist va hlAlt1 AAuEhils Ullt bi
the rigeers, one end OF rope was passed
and made secure. II was drawn 50 as 10
allow barely length for freedom Of move
ment, and the other end was tightly fast
eDed within the roof. In HOgan's hand
was then placed about - feet of the four
and-a-hali-inch rope. Mounting the
plank, which was only u inches wide, he
cautiously crawled 10 its projecting end
and slowly strengthening himself, stood
erect upon the slender footing which
oyerhung the dizzy height of 30 feet. For
several seconds Hogan stood rigidly, as ii
waiting Tor a sudden giddiness 10 pass
away, and then holding the two ends OF
The rope he threw the loop over the top of
the fcapstone, and permitting it 70 drop
until il reached the base OF the window
tied It firmly around the pyramids BY
The same process and in the same manner
a. sln gle strand Of the rope was tied
around the monument at the top of the
window. Hogan next stepped upon the
rope tour inches in circumference and
holding 10 the upper rope with his hands,
cTept around 10 the western side Of the
monument. Assistant Bigger Charles
Smth then passed out upon the narrow
r8pkFay and Mr.. Mclaughlin followed,
making his way at once 10 the northern
side Of the pyramid, where the telescope
had located the stone injured by the
lightning. Both were protected in the
same manner as Hogan against the catas-
trOphe or fall by rope about their
waists. Thousands Of shudderng eyes
from adjacent portions Of the city were
liked upon the immense height where the
men, looking like black mites, busilv
worked, letting fall from the upper or
hand-rope, on each side OF the menu-
ment, a tackllng Of ropes which reached
the windows below in the base of the
pyramidal roof.
Chow did you feel, Mr.. Mclaughlin,
when you first got clear Of the window and
stood out on that planky' asked a repor-
ter.
Il have grown up with this monument"
said MIR. Mclaughlin, ''and ] have been
out on it many times. Mine was the last
hand that touched the aluminium point
when the scatfolding was taken down
But IN spite Of my long experience,
must frankly assure you that to-day when
had my first glance around felt for a
moment decidedly uncomfortable. Oh,
no! / didn't apprehend any danger. l
knew We had made everything fast-we
certainly shouldn't have ventured out if
we hadn't been confident of that"
slow did the world look to you from
that perch up therey"
"Oh. that Is an unanswerable question"
replied Mr. Mclaughlin with an express
sion OF hOpelessness. 'NO man can do
justice 70 It. You must see it for yourself
aud gather your own impression. No, ii
was not windy up there to-day-the
weather was very favorable and simply
beautiful
What did your examination reyeal?"
We'll, ] stood upon the upper rope and
could then Just comfortably look at the
aluminium tip. The lightning had de-
stroyed the sharp point and the top pre-
scented the rounded appearance of the top
OF key. j discovered also that IL was
the monOlithic stone on the nOrtL side in
the course directly under the capstOne
which had been struck. Its east end was
cracked from top 90 bottom. The crack
il about half an inch wide and extends, /
think, entirely through the stone. What
Will ne dor We VIII delicAtely apply "A
powerful force aud drive the pieces to-
getner. well-padded m6ul Will perhaps
answer Tho purpose. The mortar. OF
course, when held the stone has been
broken and dislocated, and il will not be
practicable 10 remOrtar IL. II will be
necessary, therefore, to employ some
method Of riyetlng when It Is restored 30
IT'S position. A couple Of bronze eXpan-
siye bolts will probably be all that is
needed
"What viii be done to-morroww
"from the lover windows we will build
~ each side a scafolding uf plank feet
wide and 40 long, which viii be attached
% the tackling lines yOu see depending
AAfh lhe upper thtlIHNhG iult GOV n bolne
windows. These when drawn up to a pO-
Eiti1n Just below thelOwer cncirclmg rope
VIII meet and be dashed together at each
corner % the pyramid. Coz. Casey will
then 20 up with MS and make n thorough
inspection of the whole top OF the roo;
and the best method 0f closing the crack
by bringing tbe Hunderud pieces together
viii bee considered ana perhaps finally
determined upon This, and the introduce
iiuu % ihe additional rods for the future
protection ~ The monument. Is the whole
olltct of our operations up there. l think
mat as the work must necessarily pro-
gress slowly, We VIII be engaged upon 10
az least for week"
Know rhNSNLF, 10y rcaalng the ''Sci-
ehce ~ Life The best medical work ever
PubllAheh, Tor young and lniddle-a aged men.