The Seattle post-intelligencer. [volume] (Seattle, Wash. Terr. [Wash.]) 1888-1914, 1888-12-15
A BUlkHEAD GIVES WAY.
Heavy Strain an Iron Bolt Could
Not Withstand.
Dwellings adjacent Imperiied and
Occupants Forced To Move Out
Repairs Necessary.

About 5 o'clock yesterday morning the
heavy strain on the Yesler avenue bulk
head, between Fourth and fifth stree4x
caused II to give way partially on the south
side. The break was occasIoned by the
bursting of large nut and washer from
their place on an iron rod which runs
across the street. five or six feet below the
Surface, and terminating In piles which
sustain the lateral pressure OF the large
section OF earth held in position by two
inch pisnks The pile on which the
pressure was concentrated stands di
reetlg IA trout OF a dwelling house
occupied, until a short time after the oe-
currenee. By Mr. Drew, the engineer al
engine house No. 2, and his family. This
and another dwelling house adjacent, as
well as the property on which they stand,
belong to VIM, Crist, the fruiterer. The
grade OF the street is fully - feet above
the level OF the lots, thus Decessitating the
use OF piles that length in height above
the surface. The giving way of the sirue-
tufe imperils the safety Of those
dwelling IN the residences, aud threatens
the utility Of the lots beneath
s fSr e s.,nIg purposes TIE he ases ,s
10 north, so that the embsnkment
OF earth piled up against the south bulk
head IL considerably IN excess Of that kept
In position by the north facing, and the
main pressure Is directed s0uth.
On first hearing of the break, a PosT-IN-
TELLIGEscER reporter questioned resi-
dent who appeared TO be familiar with the
nature OF the bulkbead. THIS gentleman
considered the report as false, because the
bulkhead facinss on both sides. as be
bought were sustained by strong crib.
work the transverse piles extending 10 feet
into the street from each side on visiting
the place IL was found that instead Of
being the substantial structure repre-
sented, IL was In fact only an excuse fGg n
bulkhead, being constructed by pi assiug
driven in ON each side at a ais lance Of
eight or 10 feet with two-inch planks laid
inside these.
Two-inch from rods connect each oppo.
site pair OF piles aud massive nuts screwed
onto the extremities bind the whole firmly
together. The durability Of the bulkhead
thus depends mainly on the resisting
strength of the thread Of the bolt, which Is
I liable to deterioration by rust IL was no
doubt due TO the weakening of the thread
Z from this cause that the nut was thrust of
by the strain The pile through which the
rod passed IL now considerably out OF
/ plumb aud the plank facing is bnlged oat
I like the middle OF barrel. immediate
steps are necessary 10 prevent the forcing
/ of Of other nuts, which viii quickly fol
, low uuless the rods are relieved OF the ten
sion now borne,
/ The faulty construction would lead one
TO suppose that the bulkhesd was intended
only for temporary purposes; as any one
capable of estimating the volume of earth
between the facings and the strength OF
the iron and wood employed could easily
satisfy himself as to the inefficiency of
the present balkhead TO meet the require
ments OF the case. The families living in
the houses near the b-eak have moved
out, and probably the city will be called
upon 10 compensate the owner OF the
property for the loss resulting. The city
engineer examined the bnlkhead yester-
day afternoon. but IL has not been
aseer,ained what steps viii be taken TO
preserve the street from spreading.