TRINIDAD AND BERMUDEZ ASPHALTS 



179 



Trinidad Lake Asphalt Pavement, Washington, D. C, Vermont Avenue, — 



Arlington Hotel. Laid in 1878. 



Much the same process is carried out at the Bermudez deposit, but 

 the asphalt is carried from the lake to the shore of the river on a rail- 

 way instead of by cableway. In either case, the crude material having 

 been dumped into the hold of the vessel, runs together into a compact 

 mass during the voyage to the United States. In consequence, it must 

 be again picked out by laborers as it lies alongside the pier, and loaded 

 into skips in which it is raised and again dumped into others, which are 

 carried by a small railway to large storage bins holding several thousand 

 tons, where it is again hoisted and dumped for storage until it is re- 

 fined. Of course, in these bins it again runs together into a solid mass. 

 As a supply is needed for refining, it is picked out and transferred to 

 large rectangular tanks holding a hundred tons each, which are pro- 

 vided with gangs of pipe carrying steam at a pressure of 125 pounds 

 and of about 325° F. This heat removes the water and melts the pitch. 



Section of Vermont Avenue Pavement. 



