44 A STATISTICAL ACCOUNT OF THE 



ing a solid mass. Six large and heavy chains, are worked into 

 the masonry, crosswise of the pier, at the foundation ; and a 

 large curb of timber, hooped with iron, surrounds the cut stone 

 at this point. Fifteen other massive chains, fastened at pro- 

 per places, with perpendicular bolts, well wedged, are dis- 

 persed in various parts of the pier, crosswise thereof, as high 

 as low water mark. The whole masonry of the pier, was 

 performed (including the winter w^ork with all its disadvan- 

 tages) in seventy four working days, after we had been seve© 

 months preparing and fixing the dam. Two months of this 

 period were employed in incessant pumping, clearing and 

 combatting casualties and impediments the most embarrassing;; 

 and expensive. The courses of cut stone vary in depth, the 

 least course being ten inches, and the largest two feet eight 

 inches in depth." 



" The foundation is further secured by the embankment of 

 stone, intermixed and embodied with sand, thrown around 

 the dam, on the bed of the river, to the height of fourteen feet. 

 The interior piling will be cut off below low water mark, and 

 connected with the pier by chains. Building stone are thro^vn 

 in, between this piling and the masonry, about ten feet high, 

 the whole forming a strong barrier against any attacks on the 

 foundation*'^ 



'' Had we foreseen that so many casualties, difficulties, and 

 dangers would have attended our enterprise, we should pro- 

 bably not have hazarded the undertaking." 



" We were convinced that the whole ^of our success de- 

 pended on compleating this pier ; and persevered against ca- 

 sualties and impediments, which frequently appeared insur- 

 mountable. It is at length accomplished, and the completion 

 of our whole work thereby ensured. We mention, not as it 

 respects ourselves, but for the emulation and encouragement 

 of others, who may be obliged to encounter similar circum- 

 stances, that by perseverance, we have prevailed over the most 

 discouraging obstacles. A pier of solid masonr}^ having 



