The Washington times. [volume] (Washington [D.C.]) 1902-1939, 1919-03-12
WESTMINSTER ROOF
RAIDED BY BEETLE

months pTlOF 10 the breaking out OF
! the war another declaration Of hos
tilities took place at Westminster. the
enemy in this case being the Xesto-
blum tesselatum, one of the Anobild
beetles, which had attacked and made
serious inroadS into the magnificent
old oak roof of Westminster Hall, the
broadest, longest, and altogether
finest wooden roof on any historical
building in the world.
Pursuing it's truly Teutonic tactics
| of peaceful penetration. the insect had
| taken such advantage of our trustful
English ways and bad climate that it
had well nigh accomplished the roofs
downfall before the extent of its raw
ages was discovered.
Fortunately, some years ago, Sir
Frank BRines. principal architect to
his majesty's office of works, had an
opportunity of ascending to the collar
beam of the roof. and walked along
the beam to the point where it joins
" it'll the upper principal.
There he found a large cavity and
the decayed timber in such a disinte-
grated state that he was able with his
hands TO pull away a larg, portion OF
the under side of the uppeE principal
This he brought down aud it was
largely; this first-hand information
which led him to ask the approval Of
the ancient monuments board (who
assumed the care of Westminster Hall
in 1912 ste carry out the detailed ex-
animation which followed.
writes Book About IL.
The results of that examination Sir
Frank Baines has embodied in a mon
umentaI blue book, which is a mine OF
interesting information concerning
the historic building. So perilous was
the state of the roof considered that
no time was lost in putting the work
in hand, after the scheme drawn up
BY Sir Frank had been approved. In
fact" as Sir Frank once quantity ex-
pressed it, 1.-The roof appears TO have
remained up only from custom ana
habit" a
So il came about that while Eng
land was lowering on the brink OF
the great war. his ma5esty's office OF
works started its offensive against
Xestobium tesselatum, the keenest In
terest being taken in the campaign by
Sir Alfred Mond. NJ. P, the first com
missioner, who has, frequently been on
the scaRoId with Sir Frank Bainess
and given his whoIehearted support in
his most difficult and risky under=
taking.
. A Observation-Disclosures In the
appearance of the lofty and historic old
hail was speedily effected. Steel seaf-
folding weighing approximately $50
tons and designed 60 carry the full
weight Of the portion of the roof to
be dealt with at a time, was erected,
the scaffolding being constructed TO
move on wheels on special concrete
bases. SO as to avoid the necessity for
taking down the whole structure
when passing on to the next portion
to be treated.
The steel scahoIds are provided
with access wooden staircases and
stages at various levels for working
platforms and for the storage OF
boards. Enormous balks Of timber
for use in strutting and in support
ing the old roof, are stored within the
old hall. which is equipped with an
electric wood working plant, a two
handled pitsaw, electric winches for
moving the great steel stages from
one position to another, and electric
drills for cutting out the decayed por-
tons Of the old wood.
Has GhOmIsh Eject.
When one stands on the steps b
meath St Stephens porch, the old hai
presents a wonderfully impressive
picture, with the dim light filtering
through the forest OF 'scaffoIding. anu
the incandeScent lamps of the work
men appearing here and there in In
mysterious depth of the lofty roof
with gnomish effect Perhaps the
silence of the scene is as Impressive
as the surroundings, for there are
few sounds 10 indicate that a tTi
Umph Of combined architectural and
engineering skill is being he.
achieved, though the outside wOTl4
takes little note OF it,
Even when giant limb OF steel
is being slowly raised between the
scaffOlding to unseen heights one
electric plant till II is stopped on
the instant that a distant shout is
heard, from the workman invis bic
above.
There are marvellous light and
shade effects to be seized for the
canvas in the ancient hall a. tn
present time, and IL is probably ON /
ing TO the general obsess.On Of IN"
war that the opportunity has not
been seized by some Of our leading
artists.
Joseph PenneI, who has produced
such striking pictures OF shipyaris
and the Panama cana, might DO well
to exercise his genius on the magni
ficeDt chiarosuro which can be seen
at any time. and especially at th"
twilight hour, when the vast and
silent structure is flied with gloom !
and mysterious shadows.
Unfortunately, no photographs can
be taken of the scene owing to the !
danger Of the magnesium flash ig
hitting the dust which lies in soft
heaps in the intricacies OF the roof
Most elaborate precautions are taken
against fire and a ruby light neps
ST. Stephens Porch indicates a spe-
cisl telephone callbox that has beef
Installed for such an emergency.
Building Centuries Old.
The building was first erected
William Rufus, who celebrated -
completion OF his great work in lOJ
with a Whitsuntide feast. The ROOF
however, was supported by two row
"f large wooden pillars ranged alon
80 whole length OF the hall and -