Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1908-11-01

IT APPEARED ABOUT 1850.
the Capitol grounds-the old Washington
city canal, in which the water was about
four feet deep-and at this time it was
an important artery of trade. This, run
ming through the city to the Eastern
branch, could be used, and that portion
east of 3D. street west was availed of.
Its course then from the Eastern branch
was by I'd street east to II south, cross
ing Garfield Park into South Capitol street.
and at street into Canal street and
northwesterly into Sd street at Maryland
avenue, and through it the statue was
foated. Two large scOws were securely
fastened. and on October 81 the statue
incased in heavy timbers and lowered on
them
William Waters. the boatswain at the
yard. assisted Capt. Easily, having charge
of the shears and in short time the
mile or more of the canal was traversed,
the statue landed and by means OF tackle
and capstan 1t was worked we'll up the
Capitol hill. The landing was made on
the east side of the canal In Maryland
avenue. and the route was by that ave
nue. to the circular roadway on the west
front Of the grounds between street
north and A street south, skirting the
south line of the grounds to the east
front of the building.
Along Maryland avenue timbers were
used to prevent cutting into the soft
earth, but on the other part of the route,
which had been macadamized a few years,
the rollers were on the bare ground Com
paratively few had seen its progress on
the scows, but many interested specta-
tors, few hundred, watched It's ascent
of the hill.
Account in The Intelligencer.
The first intimation the general public
had that it had at last started on its
October 90 publishing:
1.-The statue of Washington was yes
terday removed from the navy yard. and
such progress has been made in the
course of the day that at sunset part
of the difficult ascent of Capitol Hill
has been overcome. The statue is very
heavy, weighing, with its castings, it is
said. near twenty tons.
1T was brought from the navy yard to
Maryland avenue, through the canal Con
scows), and hence on movable ways py
means of capstans, etc., along Maryland
avenue TO the Capitol. The removal OF
the statue is under the direction of our
enterprising fellow-citiZen. Mr.. William
Easily and so far his delicate task has
been accomplished without accident
This notice brought spectators from all
parts of the city, and though they were
impressed by the progress made by the
men in handling the machinery employ
ed. showing careful study and discipline.
not few did not expect 1t to reach the
rotunda. When it reached the top of the
hill, where it had to be turned from lts
straight course in A street toward the
foot of the steps to the portico, there
was much speculation as to what means
were to be used to raise it twenty-six
feet to the level of the main floor
Bos'un Waters rugged up the hosting
of iYnh
of timber having been laid for it on the
portico by 'ginpole,' it was raised from
the ground and swung to the ways with
out hitch in less than half an hour. Inc
crowd, in which were many boys, stood
with nerves at a tension as the statue
was suspended, and when 1t was SLOWLY
swung to the ways broke into cneer.
TIL, east door being found too small for its
passage to the rotunda, few blocks OF
stone had been moved from the sides be-
fore and in a short time after 1t was
raised from the ground it was in the
rotunda.
In the issue of October 81 the Intelli-
gencer says.
I'VE are glad to learn by the annexed
note from Capt Easily that he has sue
ceeded in removing the colossal statue
of Washington to the rotunda of the
Capitol without the slightest injury either
to the statue or to any one engaged In
the work of its removal:
Ito the Editors of the National Intel
ligencer. ~
Gentlemen: | have the pleasure to
inform you that the statue OF Washing
ton, by Greenough, has been safely re-
moved and placed in the rotunda of the
Capitol. and that ii has not received the
slightest damage 1t now awaits the erec-
ton of the pedestal on which it is to
rest when finished.
THE statue weighs about fourteen
tons and was raised from the ground
to the floor of the rotunda. height OF
twenty-six feet, in twenty-five minutes,
and placed OH the way which had been
prepared for it, | take this opportunity
to publicly tender my thanks to Mr.. VII
liam Waters. the experienced boatswain
attached to the navy yard at this place.
for the aid he voluntarily rendered me
in the elevation of the statue to the
height required.
THE preparation of the shears and
the necessary tackle was under his inn
mediate direction. The manner in which
he performed the task shows that he Is
an excellent rigger and fully deserving
of the esteem in which ,he Is held by the
officers under when he has served.
:. He has been in the naval service OF
the United States nineteen yearS-Seven-
teen years of that time in active service.
1T is to be regretted that Congress
has made no adequate provision for re-
warding mertorious warrant officers for
long, arduous and faithful services.
VERY respectfully. yours.
WILLIAM EASBY.'"
In a few days the statue was placed on
its pedestal. encircled by an iron railing,
and covered until December ! following.
when 1t was unveiled, having cost trIfie
over 1000. 1t goes without saying that
Capt. Easily and his men were the re-
cipients of many congratulations on the
completion of the task which had halted
other engineers in government service and
civil life.
Opposition to Easily.
The jealousy engendered by his sue
cess in placing the statue in the rotunda
was afterward shown by the opposition
made to giving him the work of lowering
it and mounting 1t in the grounds few
years after. This feat added much to his
prestige and enabled him to obtain a