The morning news. [volume] (Savannah, Ga.) 1887-1900, 1896-12-30
THE oENTRAIs TALL CHIMNEY.
Col. WadIey's Champagne Party at
Its Top Forty-One Years Ago.

Col. WadIey's Champagne Party at
Its Top FOrty-One Years Ago.
The repairs to the big brick chimney in
the Central railroad yard have called for
the erection of scaffolding all the way up,
and the unusual sight of the tall column
grit about as it is with the wooden sup
ports for the workmen, attracts the atten-
ton of passers.
The big chimney has history that dates
from the time of Col. Wadleys m&nage-
ment of the Central. For over fortz ears
1t has lowered above then surreGR ding
buildings and poured forth its volumes of
black smoke 125 feet above the ground.
The chimney was begun in the early part
of 1855, and was completed in August of
that year. Mr. Vincent, at that time chief
engineer of the road, drew the plans for
it under the direction and supervision of
Col. Wadley.
The structure is built on an invested
DOME and has sixteen cold air flues run
ming on the outside to the top, which serve
to contract the noxious vapors from the
base of the chimney and, at the same
time, keep the bricks of which it is built
cooled.
AT the base the chimney's inside diane
ter is four feet. Above the ground it ex-
tends lbs feet, and below the surface it
sinks thirteen feet
Mr. J. G. Cornell of this city, then the
assistant of MIR. Benjamin Armstrong, SUI
perintendent of works for the Central rail-
road, superintendent the building of the
chimney. When the excavation for the
foundation was made five feet of water
stood at the bottom, and constant pump
ing for three weeks was necessary in or
der to give the masons dry ground to work
on.
On the top of the chimney, to prevent
Weathering, an iron cover weighing three
tons, was placed. 1t was lifted to the
top in sections, and then joined together.
While the finishing touches were being
put to the chimney one of the workmen
fell sixty feet down the inside, landing
upon an iron flooring. Miraculously he
escaped injury, and was at work again
the next day. He had been assigned 10
take down the inner scaffolding and had
knocked down a diagonal brace upon
Which he was standing.
When the structure was completed, Col
Wadley had basket of champagne to be
placed on top, and invited everybody that
worked for the Central to come up and
drink to the roads success The invita-
ton was one that, under ordinary cir
cumstances, would have attracted many,
but, TO reach the top. it was necessary
to do 125 feet of vertical climbing by
means of the ladders fixed to the Sides
Only about ten had the nerve to ac-
cept Col. valleys champagne party
invitation but merry time, with the cele-
brated official presiding was had, though,
it is said, the sparkling wine was partaken
of but sparingly, as the narrow top of
lzo-foot chimney is not an inviting place
for bacchanals.
The repairs on the chimney were com
pleted yesterday. Mr.. w. A Roberts had
the work in charge and has made many
important changes in the old affair as it
stood when completed years ago. No fire
proof bricks were used then, and at it's
base, the fierce heat had made a honey
comb. Those that have just been made
are the only repairs that have been neces-
sary since the chimney was built with
the exception of slight repairs made by
Mr.. Cornell several years ago.
The chimney is used for the stationary
engine shops, the blacksmith shops and
the brass moulding shops at the yards. all
of these being connected with it by means
of underground flues.