The Cecil Whig. [volume] (Elkton, Md.) 1841-current, 1908-08-29

When finished the power house at
night. with lis immense windows on
every side, will resemble the Pratt
street power house. The building is
500 feet long.
1t will be the largest single power
house IN the world Some may feel
inclined to doubt this statement. max
ing mention OF the great power house
above Niagara Falls But the power
generated at Niagara is the conjunc-
ton OF what IS known as several units
and cannot be compared TO n power
house considered as one unit The
Susquehanna plant is not a combina-
ton Of powerful units. but is single
unit. generating more than 10000
horsepower
ENGINEERS FACED NEW PROB
LENS.
Al right angles with the icc-breaker
and at an obique angle with the
power house the dam extends across
from the York side jam up against
both. Like the rest OF the work at
Mccall Ferry, il is unique. The engi-
neers say that in damming the Susque-
hanna they had unique problem to
deal with. Consequently dam. power
house. bridge, ice-breaker and tailrace
have been constructed along new lines
No part OF the work is copy OF any
other dam in existence.
Every arch, every curve and angle
YOU see one OF the engineers said.
was constructed scientifica ~ to meet
some phase OF the problem. At Mia
CARA the engineers had 10 deal with
water falling from great height. At
Mccall Ferry the fall is not so great,
but the amount OF water is. The Sus-
quehanna is dangerous river. 1t rises
suddenly and III the spring il sends
down masses OF ice that would sweep
away faulty construction OF course.
We know some hours before when the
river is rising or the ice is coming.
but at the same time our problem has
been a tough one
AS an instance Of careful construc-
ton. the south side OF the dam when
seen from the bottom resembles the
crest OF Niagara FAILS II bulges over
from the ton. then drops suddcnl" and
then curves out gracefully TO the river
bottom, This contour will make ice
and water slide over the dam and flow
off easier than any other contour that
might have been carried out
AS EVERLASTING AS GRANITE.
The dam itself is as everlasting as
granite. Ii is as hard as adamant, and
no pressure, however great, it is de
clared, can affect il. Every one OF the
4o-foot blocks is welded into the other,
making 4 compact mass
This titanic bulwark is 6s feet thick
at the base and S. feet high. On top
railroad track could be laid On the
upper side il drops down perpendicular
Is Ia the water Multiplying its length
$500 feet, by its height. IS feet. gives
the area upon which the water will
prcss--I37,Soo square feet This area
will hold the concentrated pressure OF
a lake that will be mic wide and
seven miles long.
Below the dam runs concrete
bridge 5000 feet long. II is construct
ed al arches, each 80 feet wide. An
other record IN concrete construction
was made when the force put in q OF
these arches in q consecutive days,
proving that q are not always hoo
doc number In all. there are rs OF
these arches The water and ice that
goes over the bridge will flow through
them into the main channel oi the river
he 'nw.
The rapid work done on both bridge
and dam was made possible by the use
OF the Mccall Ferry Power Company's
great "pclicanS.' that were constructed
especially for the work These mighty
arms OF steel lift tons OF rock with as.
tonishing quickncss and can be mani
pula,cd with absolute accuracy. They
are moved by compressed air. as is all
the other construction machinery cx-
ccpt the locomotives. The air is com
pressed in large steel frame bui'dnr
on the Lancaster side Of the river
The concrete used in the power
house is the finest that can be made
The best stone was secured. and then
this was ground Ia powder The pc
cn'iar blush gray hue oi the power