THE WEST SHORE.
1G1
COLUMBIAN EXPOSITION DESIGNS.
Beginning with the famous crystal palace, ever)- international exposition
has sought to outdo all its predecessors in the matter of attractions of a spec
ial and novel nature, but it was reserved for the genius of the great French
engineer, Eiffel, to introduce something not only unique in idea but of over
shadowing appearance in the great Eiffel tower, 1,000 feet high, that was
erected in Paris for the last exposition, and still stands as the List and greatest
wonder of the world. Ever since the idea of a great fair in America to com
memorate the four-hundredth anniversary of its discovery by Columbus be
gan to assume definite proportions, engineers have been engaged upon de
signs for some structure of mammoth proportions and of striking and appro
priate significance, that would excel the work of the now celebrated French
man. THE WEST SHORE gives this week engravings of three novel
and imposing designs, and will continue to give illustrations
of proposed features, accepted designs and other objects
of interest in connection with the fair.
The design of " Liberty Raising the World," is by
F. S. Ingoldsby, member of the Engineers' club, of St.
Louis, No description of it is necessary, save to say that
the stone pedestal is 350 feet long, the height to the top of
the globe 350 feet, and the diameter of the globe 120 feet.
The strength, beauty and appropriateness of sentiment of
the statue are apparent. Another design
is the " Columbus Dome," submitted for
the main building. The building coven
an immense area, being 1,492 .by
LIBERTY RAISING THE WORLD.
1,892 feet, figures of es
pecial significance. The
dome is 800 feet in diam
eter, covered with a map
of the world showing the
route of Columbus, and
surmounted by a temple of liberty and gigantic statue of Columbus,
the head of which is 600 feet from the ground. The cost of this
building would be $3,000,000. By all means the most colossal,
novel, appropriate and costly design is that of a " Columbian
Globe," by M. Alberto de Palacio, a Spanish engineer. The sphere
is mounted on a base 36 feet high and is itself 984 feet in diame
ter. Perched upon the top is a model of the vessel in which Col
umbus sailed, the top of which is 1,311 feet from the ground. On
the surface of the globe is a map of the world, the outlines ol
which will be lines of electric light that will shine out from the globe
and make a vividly brilliant effect. The equator is marked by a
wide promenade platform 3,280 feet long, which is reached by a
spiral railway on the inside of the globe. Above the equator
the railway is on the exterior surface, and its course can be
seen on the engraving. In the base are majestic statues of
Columbus and other navigators, missionaries and persons prom
inent in the discovery and civilization of America. The whole
structure is to be built of iron, and with accessories will cost
$6,299,200,
The enormous space in the interior of the base can be mil
iied for a great many purposes. It is suggested that a Colum
bus library be gathered there j that museums of toology, min
eralogy and botany of America be established, and an audito
rium and laboratory for the expatiation of, and experimenting in,
the natural sciences be maintained ; that anrtments for the Span
ish geographical society, and a great naval museum be provided.
The interior of the caraval at the top of the sphere might be used for a me
teorological observatory. The interior of the sphere, having a space nearly
1,000 feet in diameter, contains an enormous
area that can be variously used. The upper
half, presenting the exact form of the firmament,
offers an opportunity for the reproduction in elec
tric lights of varying siics of the heavens. Mag
nificent cyclommas might be made on a grand
scale. A vast auditorium for public entertain
ments could be provided without interfering with
the other uses, and in addition would be ample
room for cafes, restaurants, promenades, etc.
The prospect from the great equatorial prome
nade, from the tram car as it ascends
the winding road and the
huge ship at the top would
be a magnificent one, and for
years, possibly for centuries,
would draw thousands of vis
itors annually to the great
city by the lake, the structure
standing as a perpetual mon
ument to the great event the
fair is intended to commemo
rate.
Among the extremely novel designs submitted to the directors is one for a rocking tower, by
an Iowa engineer. He proposes to build a steel tower 900 feet high and only twen
ty feet in diameter, at the top to be a circular cap 200 feet in diameter and
two stories high, the whole structure resembling a gigantic toadstool It
would be held in position by huge steel wire cables, guying it on all sides,
and the top would be reached by an elevator in the center of the stem.
The expansion of the cables under the rays of the sun would cause the
tower to lean and to change its angle of inclination continually. It would
1 1 . ...
icn.uniy uc a novel exienrnce to be rocked in
such a huge cradle at such an altitude above the
earth, and the majority of people would think
more than twice before trusting themselves in
such a contrivance. However, the world is more
and more learning to throw off
its fears, founded Uxn the
ordinary exericnccs and
observations of
life, and placing
more trust in the
conclusions and
demonstrations
of science.
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