Evening journal., 1906-11-12


had cut under one side and the structure
was leaning about 10 degrees. Remem-
berlng their experience with the Smiths
Point light they did not think that It
was serious. but It was, as, despite all
they could do. the great mass Of wood
and iron continued to list and gradually
went over, until It finally lay on Its side.
This accident occurred, unfortunately,
Just a week before the government was
to have paid its frst instalment OF $50, 1000,
and, Of course, that was withheld and
the contractors were forced into bank
ruptcy. The bondsmen Of the contractors
we're game. however, and as soon as pos
sible they secured another firm to carry
on the work, and now the caisson has
been righted and the structure is In
course OF erection. By many engineers
the building of this lighthouse, with the
foundation having TO be so deep, Is
looked upon as equallng in difficulty the
construction Of Minots Ledge lighthouse,
which is considered the acme OF deep
sea building.
Minots Ledge is a bold ledge Of rock
that lays on Boston harbor. At low water
it protrudes it's ugly head, but at high
water there was nothing save a few rest
less waves and q handkerchief lace spray
TO make Its presence known, and many a
good ship met her fate upon It. In fact.
one a year, and II was determined, II
possible, to erect a beacon upon the
ledge. The plans for the structure were
prepared by Colonel Totten, chief Of en-
gineers, United States Army, and in 1855
they were turned over to Lieut.. B. s.
Alexander, OF the Engineer Corps, to
carry out.
The most difficult portion Of the work
was the laying Of the foundation. Owing
TO the position Of the rock, being situ-
ated in deep water and so nearly awash,
the slightest breeze made II exceedingly
dangerous to approach in a small boat
II was found that the surface Of the
rocks was covered with moss, and also
that there were portions OF the rock that
were dry only three or four hours at
time, so that what had to be done had to
be accomplished quickly,
gang Of men were sent to the rock
with scrapers and a large tug stood by
to watch them. The work was exceed
ingly tedious and frequently, when sud-
den storms blew up, their lives were In
danger, as the tug could not approach
closer than so feet. In such cases It
became the custom to haul the men on
the tug by ropes.
Such were the difficulties OF the work,
the number OF storms and the sufferings
OF the men, owing to being repeatedly
drenched with the biting salt water,
the work OF the first season amounted to
but little, yet Lieutenant Alexander an
nounced that he was satisfied with the
progress. The following summer q series
Of holes we're drilled IN the rock and an
iron platform % feet above low water was
erected and from the supports life lines
were stretched, but even with that pre-
caution one man was swept of and nearly
lost his life.
Tho xUrrk nroprpqand all
when the wOrkmen left In the fall a por-
tion Of the rock was ready for the hrst
foundation stone. During the winter an
inbound bark crashed upon the reef, tore
down the work Of two years and added
another good ship to the already long list
of victims.
Not daunted, Lieutenant Alexander
again went on with the work the next
summer, and by fall four OF the great
founda tlon stones had been laid During
the winter a squad Of men were busily
engaged IN cutting the stones for the
various courses. These stones were cut
10 interlock and carefully fitted one Into
the other, in order that they would not
be torn apart by the beating Of the seas
that would dash against them In storms.
The lay Ing Of the foundation stones and
those that formed the first few courses OF
the tower was attended with great din.
Guilty. II was necessary TO form a sort Of
conerdam around the position OF each
stone. and this was done with sandbags.
The stones, which were brought as close
TO the rock as possible on a derrick
barge. we're prepared with a muslin NOR.
tar plaster, the edges Of the muslin
then dmwn up over the top Of the stone
ana made fast to hold the cement. and
then the derrick. lifted them from the
deck 10 the rock
With the barge swinging and Jumping
IN the sea aud the stone swayiug Il TO
and fro. u sometimes required the com
bined Efforts Of half a dozen men and
block and tackle to dnally place the bowl
der 10 its place. but the werkmen. en-
couraged by Lieutenant Alexander. never
faltered. and the beginning Of the sum
mer OF the fifth year was the beginning
OF tie completion OF the task, as after
the nrst few courses the work became
easier, and. stone by stone, arose until
at the end OF summer the light was burn
Ing, monument TO the skill OF its build
ers. The structure cost $4,000, but Il
was money well spent