Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-07-11

turns and increase the pay. Our mer
have worked as low as one hour out OF three
YOU entered pressure of 40 pounds, we would
have to get you out pretty quick to save you
Accidents? Danger is reduced to minimum
as even if the pipes broke the air in here would
keep the men II to 16 hours and give cnance
for relief. They have even been in caissor
. hours and come out all right. There is al
ways an expert force at the shaft, and we keep
a close watch on every detail of the business
as safe as they would be in almost any labor
using machinery. But come, let's go up"
THE ASCENT TO THE AIR.
During all this time the ear-drums ached
duly but distinctly. Clambering back into the
lower section of the mainshaft the trap-door
was pulled up. 1t was dark as Erebus. A
valve-rope was pulled, and through a tiny hole
Is feet above the trap-door the rays of light
entered and radiated at the same time the ex-
ira pressure escaped. 1t was a beautiful
phenomenon in the Stygian darkness,
and the ratification of the air generated
a fog so thick as to almost choke the
novice. Gradually the expansion of the
body proceeded and the pain in the ears lifted.
The trapdoor fell and the reportorial limbs
licious sensation! The pure ozone. how sweet
it was! Dante's Inferno" must have been un-
derground with a satanical pressure of air.
The new shift of men were just going down,
descended and caught the others as they came
up. The latter adjourned to the sleeping
barge, sat down and cooled of and then
plunged into the river to rid themselves of the
dirt and CRIME.
LAUNCH OF THE CAIssoN.
The inspection OF the caisson for Pier IA
having been concluded, attention was called to
the caisson for Pier 13, which was launched
within a few moments. This immense mass of
a., L.,
launched in the same manner as a ship. The
caisson cost $4,000 to construct 1t was built
with a water-tight two-inch bottom to be re-
moved as soon as it was towed across the chan
mel, located and sunk. Usually they christen
the caisson after the daughter of the chief
engineer and break a bottle of fizz on the
mainshaft But in this case this
After daublng the waterways with lard,
the underpinning and blocks were knocked out
and few jackscrews were applied at the rear
The caisson slid gently down the sloping ways
at $50 and brought up in the bottom Of the
river so feet from land amid a shower of spray
and groaning of timbers audible 100 feet
Mr.. Watt will pump compressed air into the air
chamber of this queer vessel and float her off
the bottom. Two steamboats, will then tow her
-caissons are of the feminine gender-to the
other side of the stream.
The personal experience of the reporter
ended by dip in the OHIO, and the assumption
of usual garments.
The general contractors in this bridge, which
will be the greatest connecting bridge in
America, are Drake. Stratton & Co., of No Ill
Fourth avenue. Theodore Watts is in general
charge, and F. e. Jordan is superintendent Of
the pressure work. 7. j. Malloy is general in
spector for the company, with William Priest
as assistant. NJ. j. Becker is engineer in chief
and Mr.. Engel is engineer in charge with Sllas
OConnell as first assistant and E. Corner
Brown second assistant. Arthur Dennis is in
charge of transit materials. with Thomas Beall
as assistant.