AND PACIFIC COAST GUIDE.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

MISSOURI RIVER BRIDGE—OMAHA IN THE DISTANCE,

the iron part, between abutments, 2,750 feet.

These columns Were cast in Chicago,
and delivered in the shape of enormous
rings, 10 feet in length. When they were
being placed in position the workmen
would take two or more rings, join them
together, place the column where it was to
be sunk, cover the top with an air-lock,
then force the water from the column by
pneumatic pressure, ranging from 10 to 35
pounds per square inch. The workmen
descend the columns by means of rope-
ladders, and fill sand-buckets, whivh are
hoisted through the air-lock by a pony-en-
gine. The sand is then excavated about
two feet below the bottom of the column,
the men come out through the airlock, a
leverage, from 100 to 300 tons, is applied,
the pneumatic pressure is removed, and
the column sinks, from three inches to two
and one-half feet—in one instance, the col-
umn steadily sank down 17 feet. When-

ever the column sinks, the sand fills in
trom 10 to 30 feet—in one instance, 40 feet.
This has to be excavated before another
sinking of a few inches can take place,
making altogether a slow and tedious
process.

Soon after crossing the bridge, our train
stops in the Omaha depot—a large build- .
ing with one enormous span overhead,
built in the most substantial manner, of
iron and glass, with six tracks running
through it from end to end. On the south
side are ample waiting and dining-rooms,
express, telegraph, baggage, ticket, and
other offices. Passengers who wish to stop
over, will find omnibuses at the depot to
take them and their baggage to the hotels,
or any point in the city ; fare, 50 cents; or,
they will find street cars on the north side
of the depot, that leave every five minutes,
passing the principal hotels, and running
the whole length of the city; fare, 5 cents.