Chicago eagle. [volume] (Chicago, Ill.) 1889-19??, 1896-02-29
LIGHTHOUSE At SEA,
Difficult Piece Of Engineering tH Cape
Hatteras.

Hatteras,
\ difficult and costly piece Of cngIn-
cering has been undertaken by the
United States Government In the pro.
jcctcd establishment of u great light
house in the open ocean Of Dian ond
Shoal, seven miles from the present
lIatteps light. and bearing almost
due cast
This is one Of the most daring
schemes that army officers have dealt
with since General Casey. Chief Of
Engineers, successfully undermined
the great Washington monument and
placed there solid foundation expect
al to support that structure for ages
to como.
Surrounding this new plan. however,
there ID q fOrebOding of failure. and It
II predicted this early that $1,000. 900
II to be literally as well as metaphoric-
ally sunk in the sea.
IT the structure Is placed there. and
stands without serious damage the on.
slaughtB Of the seas for five years. nc.
cording to leading army engineer.
this government will have accomplish
cd it's greatest triumph In this bra nch
OF science.
The height of the local plane above
tho water in the prospectus will he just
100 feet, and the structure IL to stand
IN tbiIty-thrcc feet of water, and Ii to
be supported on disk plates sunk to
u depth of thirty feet In the sand. The
diameter from center to center of YER.
teal members of the foundation no.
rics IL TO he sixty feet. and the height
OF the floor Of the house above water
forty-seven feet. The main portion Of
the structure IL to be constructed Of
forged steel members with principal
joists and connections formed Of steel
castings.
A special feature Of the design II to
make nil essential parts below the
water line Of massive dimensions. az
we'll AZ oil those parts above the water
line, which will bc subjected to the nc.
tion Of wind and waves. The use Of
bolts, keys. screws and other small Sec
ton or dimensions. which would he
rapidly weakened by cOrrOsiOn. Will
he avoided rs far rs possible. Joints
and come ctiOns are to bc made abso'
lutcly rigid to all possible strains, and
are to be- az strong rs the members
themselves. This II to he effected by
Joining ends Of members to steel-cast
hubs by the means Of massive steel
rings sbrunk on In u manner approx
mating 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 he certain other tic rods OF
lighter section, which are added fol
greater security to stiifcn the frame
work while 1t Is flOated. and while bc
ing placed and grounded on the shOal
1t Is proposed by the board to cOnstruc,
the screw pile structure In the harbOi
and font it out by steel cylindrical Gals
sons calculated to give draught OF
thirty feet when ut sea. This part Of
the light is to he sunk probably fifty
feet down in the bottom by hydialu lics
until firm hold IL secured. 1t IL then
proposed to build up from the skeleton
arrangement until the llghtkeepcr's
apartments have been completed and
the height secured for the great lens
which is TO throw It's light twenty five
miles in all directions.
The work IL to begin this winter. and
1t is proposed to complete the light IN
two or three years.