The Yale expositor., 1901-07-19
sCENE IN A Disappearing MI IAGE

proves insufficient to support the
weight of the houses, with the newt
able consequence that the buildings
are constantly sliding and collapsing
in every direction Our illustration con-
veys very graphic idea of the magnl-
tude of these subsidences and their
effect upon public property. AS the re-
suit of a subsistence, the building
shown in our illustration fell over upon
its back in the course Of single night,
and it is noteworthy that the house,
owing to the care observed in its con-
struction, fell over intact not crack
being produced in the walls nor even
a pane of glass being broken. This Is
by no means a single instance.
Throughout the town the same effects
are to be observed upon all sides. There
is scarcely a perpendicular wall to be
seen; in numerous cases the doors and
window frames OF the houses are awry,
the roads are extremely uneven, and
are often closed owing to the falling
in of portions. Houses are being con-
tinually condemned as unsafe for hui
man habitation ane demolished. The
depreciation of public property is enor-
nous. No matter how substantially a
house may be built, or how great the
care observed to obviate subsistence.
the building is bound to sink sooner or
later. In one instance, house that
cost $4,000 to erect was shortly after
ward sold for $500, it had been so in
- In INN n
sinking is very gradual, while in 9TH
ers it is unexpected and instantaneous.
One of the principal throughfares took
forty years to sink fifteen feet, while
another grew appreciably wider every
day. Examination proved that one side
of the street was slipping completely
away. In this instance the foundations
of the houses were three feet distant
from the buildings which they origin
ally supported. The shop of dry goods
merchant sank one-fifth Of its height
in ten years. and in the subsequent
seven years subsidized another fifth.
Several houses may be seen, the win
dows of the ground floor of which are
level with the roadway. 1t is no I'M
common circumstance for a building
to be constructed and have to be aban
doned shortly after its completion.
The inhabitants, however, endeavor
to mitigate the danger of their build
ings' collapsing by constructing them
upon the frame principle, with massive
timber beams securely bolted together.
BY this means If subsistence occurs
the house does not necessarily collapse,
but heels over in toto In this instance
the house is raised to its normal posi-
ton once more by means of jacks, the
cavity filled in and the building once
more rests upon a firm foundation.
Shovld another subsistence occur the
process of lifting is repeated. In the
case of the subject of our illustration.
however, the original house was so
damaged that IL had to be demolished
and the ground prepared for the build
ing depicted in our illustration. But it
had not been built twelve months be-
fore another subsistence occurred
throwing the building into the position
shown in the photograph.
Yawning chasms are constantly ap-
pearing in the streets, and in some in
stances the cavities are so extensive
as to necessitate the closing of the
thoroughfare.
The area in which those subsidences