New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1899-04-28
REPORT ON THE STRUCTURE
HEALTH BOARD INSPECTORS DECLARE
PARTS OF NrNTH-AvE UNSAFE.
ESPECIAL ATTENTION TO COLUMN NO. 50
WHOSE BASE. THEY SAY, rs CRACKED
swAYING OF THE STRUCTURE
AT BETHUNE-sT.

swAYING OF THE STRUCTURE
AT BETHUNE-sT
The report Of Andrew A. Brennan. Watts d.
Gardner. and De Witt c. Wheeler. IT,. the civil
engineers Of the Board OF Health. who have been
examining the condition OF the Manhattan eie-
waited structure was yesterday placed in the
hands OF President Murphy. OF the Health De-
partment. By DR.. NJ. B. Feeney. chief sanitary
inspector OF the Board. DR.. Feeney sent LETT
ter with the report The report covers only the
examination made by the civil engineers on that
section extending from the Battery along
Greenwich-st. to Fourteenth-st. The engineers
say that that section IL sorely in need Of many
sweeping changes. as in some parts II Is unsafe
and not properly constructed They lay great
stress on the condition OF the curve at Bethune~
ST. One OF the pillars forming part Of the sup
port OF the structure at the curve Is numbered
333 Here they found according TO their re-
port. marked weakness OF the structure.
There Is a perceptive movement" they say. 'ot
column No. 333 at the sidewalk level. visible TO
the eye when a train is passing this point.
Whether the base casting has been loosened
frcm the foundation. or whether the foundation
itself has become impaired. Is not apparent. but
its rigidity Is certainly impaired"
The engineers conclude their report as follows:
In this case we have two nnes OF railway sup
ported on columns from twenty 10 twenty-nye feet
above the street which the public rides by
thousands daily in overcrowded cars such q
structure surely ought be stable ana strong
beyond criticism or substantial doubt In fact-
rs not The ne, roado rsas az IN
the two tracks stand simply Embraced against the
strain Of passing trains TO degree FAR exceeding
a normal vibration. and tia, would impar any
are weakened and their castings are fractured. and
the entire road ected and left to the action Of
uncertain What would result from any additional
strain such as broken machinery axe hew OF ra
structure of imrsired stability and dlminis r
only possible proof Of danger lies in he actual
demonstration by the catsstropns nssm
negligence witch needs no qualification here
The principal defect vii be overcome ey 1rsoi in
separate essteriy and westerly structures With
amply resist the existing strains. This might be
done in similar manner 70 ma, wn,Tn n9S b.rs an
archcd tie connects the tracks az each column
psr s ss's iaentea With the Oldest Construction
and II Is doubtful any sconomlsay dnns
mo ns Smd defects rcsu;ne from s Sdsp,on
70 i, Of effective or char
acter II would therefore be far better were these
placed with a structure Of quality and design
equalilng the newer and grestr portion h i.s
~ column No Jn properly and permanently rem
edied would provide a stable superstructure
The decayed ties and guardrails constituting me
v God portion Of the roadhed should De repscsa
securely the track aligned 70 gauge. ana proper
elevation OF outer rails on curves estaonsned lne
entire structure should he painted color COM
binng durability and light.
With the report Or. Feeney sent the following
letter TO President Murphy:
7 have the honor TO submit, herewith report os
The result OF the Investigations Of the elevated
railroad structure on Green wichst. from the Bat
terry TO Fourteenth-st.. by Inspectors j. btsn-
nan W D. Gardner and D. w. c. Wheeler. OF this
division From the statements therein contained
n is evident that defects OF serious nature exist
in both the material and in the construction or the
structure and that because OF these condltons An
element OF Insecurity is introduced and the safety
Of this portion OF the structure Is menaced.
Cracked base castings, the evident insecurity or
Column No. 333. the improper alignment on me
Of the superstructure. and the excessive strain as
shown by lateral sway exceeding vibration are
indca tons for the necessity for thorough recon,
structfon I'm order 10 secure structure that shalt
he safe and meet the requirements demanded by
its present use . 49,, -.
that the base and founds ton of,Column NO S23 BE-
uncovered and such repairs made as shall render
said column secure and provide stable super
struc,re that the old sections Of the supersruct-
ure he removed and replaced with a structure OF
quality and design equalng the newer ana greater
portions: that all decayed ties and guardraiis con-
stituting the woodwork portion OF the road be Sc
curely replaced that the track be aligned o gauge;
and that the two structures the easteriy and
westerly be connected with cross-girders or con-
nections otherwise designed to resist the existing
strains: that the entire structure be palnten co,or
combining durability and light. and that penang
such reconstruction and repair the use OF this sec
ton OF the road be discontinued. II on further IN
spection Il should be found necessary.