The Wichita daily eagle. [volume] (Wichita, Kan.) 1890-1906, 1895-12-27
DARING ENGINEERING FEAT.
Proposed Establishment of o Lighthouse
Seven Miles on Eatteras-

Proposed Establishment of o Lighthouse
Seven Miles on Eatteras-
A difficult and costly piece of engin-
eering has been undertaken by the
United States government in the pro-
jected establishment of great light
house in the open ocean off Diamond
shoal, seven miles from the present
Hatteras light, and bearing almost due
east. This is one of the most daring
schemes that army officers have dealt
with since Gen. Casey, chief of en-
gineers, successfully undermined the
great Washington monument and
placed there solid foundation expected
to support that structure for ages to
come. Surrounding this new plan,
however, there is foreboding of failure,
and it is predicted this early that one
million dollars is to be sunk literally
as we'll as metaphorically in the
sea If such a structure is placed
there and stands without damage the
onslaught of the sea for five years, ac-
eording to a leading army engineer,
this government will have accom-
plished its greatest triumph in this
branch of science.
The height of the focal plane above
water in the prospectus will be just
one hundred feet, and the structure is
TO stand in thirty-three feet of water
and to be supported on disk plates
sunk to depth of thirty feet in the
sand. The diameter from center to
center of vertical memb ers of the
foundation series TO be sixty feet and
the height of the floor of the house
above water forty-seven feet The
main portion of the structure is to be
constructed of forged steel members
with principal joints and connections
formed of steel castings
A special feature of the design Is to
make all essential parts below the wa
ter line of massive dimensions as well
as all those parts above the water line
which will be subject TO the action of
wind and waves The use of bolts,
keys, screws and other small sections
or dimensions which would be rapidly
weakened by corrosion will be avoided
as far as possible. Joints and connec-
tions are to be maze absolutely rigid
to all possible strains, and to be as
strong as the members themselves
This is to be effected by joining ends
of members to steel-cast hubs by the
use of massive steel rings sh-unk on II
q manner approximating that followed
in ''built-up" gun construction
In the foundation series, besides the
massive members necessary for the
strength of the tower when in place.
there will be certain other tie rods OF
lighter section, which are added for
greater security TO stiffeu the frame
work while IL Is doa;ed, and while De
ing placed and grounded on the shOaL
It is proposed BIZ the board 10 con-
struct the screw pile structure in the
hzrbor. and aoat il out by steel cylin-
drical caissons calculated 20 give a
draft of thirty feet when AZ sea This
part of the light Is then 20 be sunk
probably fifty feet down in the bottom
By hydraulics. until firm hold i So
cured Il Is then proposed 10 build up
from the skeleton arrangement until
the lyhtkeeper's apartments have
been completed. and the hefyh; Sc
cured for the great lens. which = 70
throw its Ugh. twenty-five miles n al
directions The work = 20 begin n Is
winter. and /; IS proposed 20 eornpiete
the light in two OF three years Wash
ingtan Times