STATE GEOLOGIST. 83 
the Americans occupied Havana, this shore was used for a refuse dump 
and was in a seriously unsanitary condition. Under the changed condi- 
tions, it was necessary to construct a different improvement than that 
planned by the Spanish officer. The work was done under the direction of 
Major Wm. M. Black, of the Engineering Corps of the U. S. A. 
The wall was set back 30 feet from ordinary high water mark and a 
paved toe extends down the slope about 26 feet, having stones set in the 
paving and extending above the surface of the same in order to retard the 
wave effect. Three hundred and sixty-seven feet of wall was built dur- 
ing the last four months of 1900. The toe was built first to act as a pro- 
tection during the erection of the wall proper, which was afterwards built in 
sections from 33 to 50 feet long with vertical dovetail joints, to bond the 
sections together. Near the fort, a broad flight of steps was constructed 
to give access to the beach and to break the effect in appearance between the 
modern concrete wall and the ancient masonry of the fort.° The total 
cost of the improvement was $9,567.00. The wall was constructed of 
a 1-2-5 concrete, faced 2 inches deep with a I to 2 mortar. The facing 
was placed in the molds and rammed at the same time with the body of 
the concrete. 
The toe pavement was constructed of a 1-3-6 concrete top-dressed 
with 2 inches of 1 to 2 mortar with large stones projecting above the sur- 
face as shown in the illustration, figure 20. 
Ot DY wos eS ey iy 
ee ee ee - ee ee ee  - ee - 
Fig. 29.—Section Showing Sea-Wall Building at Havana, Cuba. 
Galveston Sea Wall.*—In September, 1900, a storm of great severity 
swept over the island upon which the city of Galveston, Texas, is situated, 
carrying the waters of the gulf over the island to a depth varying from 
10 to 16 feet. The city suffered a great loss of life and property by this 
storm. Soon afterward a commission of engineers was appointed by the 
city to devise adequate means of protection against repetitions of such 
storms. ‘his commission found that in 38 years 82 hurricanes originated 
in the West Indies of which 38 came into the gulf and 11 reached the 
*Hing. News, April 24, 1902 also, Eng. News, January 15, 1903. 
