The Calumet news. [volume] (Calumet, Mich.) 1907-1938, 1912-01-19
KEY WEST R. R.
NOW COMPLETE
Construction Of Railroad Over
Sea Great Engineering
Accomplishment
FIRST THROUGH TRAIN SUNDAY
Gives United States Many Stra-
tegiC Advantages
Reduces Distance to Cuba and Panama
Canal by Boat and Will Help
Gulf Cities.

1 JdNhSoINult, ria, Jan. lJ.-rIne ar
rival In Jacksonville tomorrow of sew
eral parties of diplomats, financiers
and public officials including practical
| ly the entire membership OF the Riv-
ers and harbors Committee of Con-
gress, will set the machinery in mo-
tion for the biggest celebration in the
history of the State of Florida. The
celebration. which will continue over
several days. will be IN honor of the
completion of the Florida East Coast
Railway company's line connecting the
mainland of the United States with the
island city of Key West.
The construction of "the railroad
over the sea" which is the name fami-
liarly applied to the new line, ia re-
garded as one of the greatest engineer
ing triumphs of the age. The project
OF building the line from the top end of
the Florida peninsula to Key West, us
ing the long stretch of coral reefs as
stepping stones. was first conceived
about scven years ago Henry Nj. Flag
Ter. the chief promoter of the enter
prise, supplied the millions of capital
necessary and the best engineering tai
ent in America furnished the ingenuity
and skill that have made the road am
accomplished fact
Difficulties Of CONSTRUCTION.
Nearly thirty islands were used for
short stretches OF construction. the
longest being sixteen miles. on Key
4 1 Al
and rock embsnkment were built
where the intervening water was shall
low. Where deeper water prevailed and
where the openings were exposed TO
storms. concrete arch viaduct con-
struction was used, consisting Of fifty |
foot reinforced concrete circular arch !
spans and piers. with occasional spans |
of sixty feet. This was the most diff
cult part of the work. There are four
of these arch viaducts. aggregating |
about six miles i'm length.
The longest i'm between Long Key
and Grassy Key. 2.7 miles. and is called |
the Long Key viaduct: across the |
knights Key channel. 1900 feet, and |
across Bahia Honda channel, 1850 |
feet. The material of the islands is
soraline limestone. In many places
the embanlSment for the roadway Is
light or nine feet in height. and the
roadbed is ballasted with the same ma
tcrial. The result is one or the finest
and safest railway roadbeds in the
world.
First Trains Sunday.
The building of the concrete viaducts
was one OF the most interesting feat
Ires of the entire project, not only 1
because of the size of the larger ones,
put by reason of their location They
we're constructed literally on the open
,ea. In many places where the water
S deep enough to float large size
,cean steamship and where the local
ty is exposed to the gales of the
Atlantic much of the work was done
" floating plants. where the concrete
vas mixed and placed in position by
means of powerful boom derricks. In
he shallower water molds for the
oundatlon of the viaduct were formed
~ driving piles, which held in place
l.
ength of the oversee extension is III
niles
The finest through train 10 Key West
viii leave this city Sunday noon and
viii carry Mr.. F1agler and a party of
riends. A second train will follow
loosely with the members of congress
nd other officials invited 60 parti- ,
ipate In the celebration at Key West.
elaborate entertainment for the visi-
ors has been provided in the island
ity. Among the features OF the pro-
ram will be a big civic, military and
avail parade. a ball and banquet and
nicial receptions at the military aud
avail posts on the island
OF Naval Importance. u
The firth division. of the Atlantic !
eet, consisting of the cruisers North q
'arolina. Washington. Salem and 7
is at Key West for the !
CELEBRATION. Portugal has sent one of
be vessels of her navy and several
ther foreign powers are expected to
e represented.
The completion of the overseas line
an event of national and even inter-
ational Importance II gives the
United States a new seaport far out !
h the Gulf. affording a great improve c
lent on the country's strategic posi- :
ion In relation to Cuba and the Pana-
la canal. Key West. with the open
ng of the new road. becomes the Unit
d States port nearest to Colon; 495 IL
iiles nearer than New Orleans and Il
as today one of the most import Nc
mt naval stations In the country and 4
resident Taft has already expressed n
he hope that congress will provide for c
he very considerable enlargement OF r
he post. Commercial as well as stra- III