Delaware gazette and state journal., 1895-12-19
LIenrno usr ~ ornn srA.
DarinR fiece OF Engineering Undertake
by the Government.

Daring Piece of Engineering UndertaiSen
Washington Times.
A diilicult and costly piece OF .engi-
'neering has been Undertaken blythe
United States government in the pro-
lecteu establishment OF great light
mousse In the open ocean off Diamond
Shoal, seven miles from the present
Hattcras 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 engi-
neers, successfully undermined the
great Washington monument, and
placed there a solid foundation ex-
pected to support that structure for
ages TO come.
Surrounding this new plan, however,
there's is foreboding of failure, and ii
is predicted thus carly that 81, 900, 600
is to be sunk literally as we'll as meta
phorically in the sea. 3N
II such a structure is placed there,
and stands without serious damage the
onslaught of the seas for five years.
according to leading army engineer,
this government will have ACCOMPLISHED
its greatest triumph in this branch
of science.
The height of the local plane above
water in the prospectus is given as 100
feet, and the structure is to stand in
33 feet of water and to be supported on
disc piles sunk to depth of 80 feet ip
the sand. The diameter from centre to
centre of vertical members of the
foundation series is to be 60 feet, and
the height of the floor of the house
above water Az 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
water 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. Juints and con-
pections are to be made 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 shrunk on in
a manner approximating that followed
in buiit-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 stiffen the frame
work while it is fioated and while
being placed and grounded on ,the
shoaL 1t is proposed by the board to
construct the screw pile structure in
the harbor and float it out by steel
cylindrical caissons calculated to give
a draft of 30 feet when at sea. This
part of the light is then to be sunk
probably so feet down in the bottom
by hydraulics until a firm hold is So
cured. 1t is then proposed to build up
from the skeleton arrangement until
the light keepers apartments have
been completed and the height secured
for the great lens, which is TO throw
its light25 miles in all directions.
The work is to begin this winter,
and it is proposed TO complete the
light in two or three years