The morning call. [volume] (San Francisco [Calif.]) 1878-1895, 1894-05-03
WEST POINTS MONUMENT
Difficulties Surmounted in Erecting
the Handsome Memorial.


An interesting piece OF engineering IS at pres
ent being carried on at west Point, N. Y. A
battle monument is being erected there, ana inc
main shaft, which is the largest monoilth I'D the
United States, Is now being run up the steep Dill
leading from the railroad STALLION 10 the plateau
on which West Point is situated. 1nls smart is
a solid cylindrical piece OF beautifully pOnshed
red granite forty feet long and weighs over
ninety TONS 1t was auarried In Connecticut
and the question of transporting IL 10 West
Point was serious one.
1t was first proposed to secure the car on
which the 11O-ton KIupp gun was taken 10 the
Worlds Fair.
This was not available, however, so other
means had 10 be devised. Two common plat
form cars were coupled together and on eacn
Car was cOnstru cted truss OF DeaVy tlmDers
whose ends rested on transverse beams pIaceu
directly over the axlrs OF The cars. Otner Trans
verse beams were placed on tile middle OF the
truSses, and the shaft was rested on the latter
beams. The cars were strengthened Dy having
heavy beams bolted along their sldes. Inc smart
was protected and supported by craze Vi
heavy timbers and heavy canvas cover.
BY these means the journey from the quarry
to West Point was safely accomplished.
While tile railroad bridges were strong
enough to support the weight, 1t was reared
that possibly they might be overstrained by
bearing both the locomotive ana the smart al
the same Time, SO when Dridge was APP
preached the engine was uncoupled from the
ears and each was allowed 10 cross separately.
The Hudson River was crossed at NeWDerg,
and when the shaft reached West Point 1t was
run on siding.
The monument is being erected on the north
side OF the plain looking di' ectly up the river.
The site is emnently well chosen, ana the
pearance to tourists coming down the
river as well as to the VISITORS az
West Point. The foundation and base
have already been completed. To run he
huff fsnr rot RI tQ 4
TO climb long. steep hill by road which
makes TWO sharp turns like letter ;. IL was
decided TO construct temporary track I'D the
road and across the plain to the site OF the
monument, and 10 run the shaft on the cars TO
this position so that IL would not b. necessary
to lift the shaft until it was 10 be placed on Its
base.
stationary engine was placed on the front
of the first car, and the track has been CON-
pIeted as far as the Riding Hail. which Is at the
first turn. By means of wire cables anchored
at different points of the road and wound
around the drum of the engine the cars and
shaft have slowly climbed the hill until they
have almost reached the first turn.
Everything has progressed smoothly so far,
but the turn will be the hardest part OF the
Journey.
The work has been temporarily stopped by
the recent heavy snoWstotm.
Last week the cap OF the monument was
taken up The hill. The cap is an awkward piece
of stone TO handle on account OF its shape and
its weight. which IS twelve tons. 1t was res ed
on runners OF Sheetir0n and drawn up the hill
in he snow. To lift these heavy stones IN
place huge derrick 103 feet long has been
constructed out OF sxteen-inch iimbeTs and is
standing ready for the stones when they arrive
at the site.
Ii mpresses one with the idea OF being
rather light for the work that Ii has to per-
form.
The Battle Monument is being constructed In
memory of the officers and soldiers who lost
their lives in battle during the civil war. The
money was raised by voluntary contributions
daring the war from officers and soldiers.
After the close of the war the monument was
planned, and General Mcclellan was invited to
West Point TO deliver the dedcat0ry address.
Mcclellan was the opposing Candidate TO Lin
coin at the time of the latter's second election
TO the Presidency, and the administration did
not approve OF the design or of the ceremonies.
and so removed all the prominent officers sta
toned at West Point
The erection OF the monument was then
abandoned for the time being and the fund was
excellenty invested. Nothing further was done
until Colonel John Nj. Wilson. Corps Of Engi-
neers was appointed SUPERINTENDENT OF the
military academy In 1889. He AT once took
action in the matter. J he fund In The mean
time having been so well invested trebled In
value and as result far handsOmer monu-
ment Is being erected than could have been at
tempted at The close OF the war.