Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1890-08-20

which had been made for transferring the
span to its final resting place. On Monday
night everything was in state of prepared
ness for the final work undertaken, and
brought to such a uccessful termination
yesterday. Work was resumed as usual
at O'Clock in the morning. Superintend-
ent of Construction George R. Buchan
was early on the scene, and at once
proceeded to the business of the
day. The first thing done was to pass lines
rove through snatch-blocks from the piling
to the winding engines, and other lines from
the barges to the shore, where they were
made fast. The latter lines, supplemented
by others as they were required, were for the
purpose of steadying, and holding, when
necessary, the float when on its way through
the water. The first lines were used to move
the float clear of the piles.
Some time was taken in arranging these
lines and II was o'clock before things
5 were in readiness for the initial step.
Finally the spools on the winding engines
began to take in the slack, and, almost i'm
perceptibly, the huge mass commenced to
edge away from its moorings and move
silently out into the stream.
INTENSE INTEREST IN IT.
By this time as much activity prevailed
on shore as on the barges Sightseers in
groups of twos and threes began to arrive
and take up advantageous positions along
the railroad siding. Skiffs shot in and out
and across from the Allegheny side, convey
ing officials from the works, and engineers
who were determined to miss none of the
lesson in practical engineering the day was
to bring forth.
Chief Engineer c. L. Strobel, of the
keystone Bridge Company, had arrived,
and had watchtul eye for details.
Meanwhile, the task of maneuvering
the hotilla of barges out from among the
piles was being proceeded with. At $50
o'clock an advance of 25 feet had been
gained. Then additional lines were made
fast. and the winding engines again brought
into requisition. AT 10 o'clock the barges
were half way through the piles, and steady.
if slow, progress became the order of the day.
A succession Of shrilI blasts-of tones not
unfamiliar to Pittsburgers-now announced
the arrival of the Nellie Hudson and the
guests of the bridge company. The boat
took up position near the penitentiarv,
and some of the passengers came off in skiffs
to inspect the lion of the day. The attire of
the women lent a holiday aspect 10 the
scene, and their slow, sweet voices" came
over the water in pleasing relief to the
abrupt orders issued to the working party.
At II O'Clock the north end of the fotilla
was clear of the pIling, and a row of string
IN rrif in xuo
laid along the rear ends of the barges. This
occupied some time, and when the whistle
blew for dinner the mass of wood and iron
work had only been got clear of its
moorings.
THE CROWD GETS LARGER.
By this time the whole line of the Allie
gheny shore, from the penitentiary to the,
Edith Furnace, was crowded with people.
1t would be difficult to say just what was
the attraction which brought them there.
The novelty of seeing such a huge mass
navigated to its harbor may account for it,
bat the proceedings were so tame, and
devoid of any element of excitement, as to
induce the belief that Pittsburg and ALE
gheny have more idle men, women and
children than they suppose. A good many
OF the crowd made q regular picnic OF the
occasion. Baskets were In plenty, and an
incidental bottle or two were not wanting.
At dinner time a general rush was made to
the Stock Yard Hotel, for anything
in the way of refreshment. Million
aires elbowed, their way past dusty
toilers, for precedence at the bar, and the
man whose daily habit ii would be to spend
an hour over a course luncheon at his club.
was glad to get sandwich of doubtful con-
stituents. BY one of these oversights,
which only occur once in century, the Mel
lie Hudson left Pittsburg unprovided with
the essentials for q MONDAY meal, and her
passengers had to take common lot with the