Plans and sections of the obelisk on Bunker's hill. With the details of experiments made in quarrying the granite

Front matter

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Introduction

It is a fact well known to architects of Boston, who were in the profession twenty years ago, that there was much difficulty at that time in obtaining a suitable material for the decorative parts of buildings. Boston was surrounded by a primitive formation, and consequently wanting in all the softer kinds of stone commonly used for such purposes. Quincy granite was not then in use, except for rough work; and no successful attempt had then been made in executing moulded and ornamental work in any other kind of granite. The walls of buildings were carried up of granite, in ashlar courses, and generally crowned with a cornice of wood. Sandstones of different kinds were also used for such purposes, which were brought from distant parts of the country. These sandstones, however, were not only expensive, but defective in structure. They also varied in color from the granite, and, when combined with it, gave to the whole a parti-colored and unharmonious effect. These difficulties, however, have been removed, in a great measure, by experience gained since that time.

The erection of the Obelisk on Bunkers Hill has led to various experiments in the quarrying and working of granite, which have shown that the common kind, which is obtained with great facility in our own neighborhood, is susceptible of being wrought into any of the moulded or ornamental forms required for the exterior of the best structures, and at a reasonable rate; and consequently has obviated all difficulties growing out of the want of a proper material, or want of skill in working it. This must be sufficiently obvious, in viewing the beautiful execution in the front of the new Exchange, in State street, and the work now going on at the Custom House.

The first full cornice knoAvn to have been worked of granite in this country, is now on a building near the head of State street, formerly occupied as a branch bank. This cornice was executed of Concord granite, at the State Prison in that place. Much improvement in workmanship has been made since that time, as may be seen by the specimens referred to, which have been recently executed.

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A difficulty also existed, twenty years ago, in obtaining blocks of granite of the size required for good construction. The business of quarrying, at that time, was generally in the hands of those who had neither the means nor the skill wliich is necessary for conducting the business in a proper manner. The work most called for at the time was ashlar, and posts and lintels, from half of a ton to two tons in weight ; and when a block of large size was wanted, it was obtained with great difficulty, and at a high price. Few blocks, however, had at that time been wanted of extra size ; the columns and architraves at the Branch Bank, and similar parts at the Massachusetts General Hospital, being the principal.

The shafts of the columns at the bank were contracted for at nine hundred dollars each, finished and delivered at the quarry ; and the capitals at one hundred and fifty dollars each, delivered at the bank. These shafts were split from a bowlder, or rolled mass of granite, on a plain in the town of "VVestford, near the Chelmsford line. The shafts of the columns at the new market-house were also split from the same bowlder. The shafts at the bank were four feet in diameter at the bases, three feet and one inch at the top, and twenty-two feet high ; containing about two hundred and seven cubic feet. The architrave was quarried a short distance from the columns, and was in six pieces, averaging about five tons each, and were contracted for at three

And eighteen hundred and ninety-two dollars and seventy cents, divided by three hundred and seventy-eight, the whole number of feet in the architrave, will give five hundred cents as the cost per cubic foot for the granite alone. The cost of the blocks of a large size, at other places, so far as could be ascertained, was about one dollar per cubic foot. The contracts, on the part of the bank, were made by those who considered themselves shrewd in such matters ; but, as there was little competition, and the work was attended with some risk at the time, high prices were consequently paid.

In works intended for monumental purposes, it must be obvious that stability is an important consideration. And stability depends, in a great measure, on good construction ; and tins, again, on the size of the materials used ; on the bond, or lap of one stone upon another ; and also on the clamps and fastenings, cement, and mechanical execution.

In designing the Obelisk, the mode of construction, and style of execution, had necessarily to conform to the limited means at disposal, after purchasing the land required, and paying the contingent expenses. This sum amounted to about thirty-three thousand and five hundred and seventy-six dollars, as will be shown further on ; and it consequently became necessary, in order

It will leave, as the dollars per foot, measuring all sides and ends. The whole number of feet measured in this way was eight hundred and three feet and eight inches,

which, at three dollars per foot, are $2411.00

If from this sum we deduct the price of the dressing, namely, Three hundred and seventy-eight feet of fine, at say 110c. $415.80

Four hundred and ten feet of coarse, at 25c 102.50 518.30

cost of the granite alone, 1892.70 to adapt the construction to the means, to make use of the cheapest kind, and the coarsest execution, that would possibly answer.

It will be seen, however, by referring to the plan, that there are forty-four blocks of stone, of five tons' weight, in the first course alone ; and it has been found by calculation, that five tons is a little more than an average size of the stones composing this structure. The average size is, consequently, nearly equal to the architrave pieces at the bank, before referred to ; and had the same price been paid for the stone in the Obelisk, that was paid for that at the bank, the granite alone would have amounted to an enormous sum, as must be sufficiently obvious ; the quantity wanted amounting to eighty-seven thousand feet, and the price five hundred cents per foot.

It will be perceived, moreover, by the bills of prices annexed, that the market prices, at the present time, of blocks of granite of extra sizes, do not vary much from the prices twenty years ago. The following are the Railway prices, for the year 1836, for stone delivered at the landing, namely : " Posts and lintels, and other stone of cubic dimensions, fifty-seven cents per cubic foot, and the price to increase one cent per foot on all stones that contain more than twenty-five cubic feet." Three cents are added, instead of one, as the cubic measure increases five feet.

TABLE.

A Block of . . . . Feet,

Price.

A Block of Feci.

l'rice

A Block of. . . . Feel.

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A Block of. . . . Feel

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A Block of Feet.

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It will be perceived by the foregoing table, that the price of a block of granite of twenty-five cubic feet, is fifty-seven cents per foot ; and for a block of twenty-six feet, fifty-eight cents per foot; and so on.

The following is the tariff of prices for stone for the exterior of the Custom House, as delivered in Boston :

All stone of twenty-five feet in contents, or under, fifty cents per foot, and to increase one cent per foot, for each additional foot in size.

For cutting, first quality, 3.00 per foot, sup.

For beds and builds 25 " " "

Sixteen full columns, including capitals, thirty-two feet high, five feet and four inches in diameter at the base, delivered in Boston, cut and finished complete, fifty-one hundred dollars each ; sixteen three-quarter columns, thirty-seven hundred dollars each.

TABLE.

a Block of ... Feel.

Price.

A Hl..i-k nr . . I-Vr(

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A Block ol Fei l a Block of .... Feet.

Price.

A Hl.irk <>t .... 1-Yrt.

Price.

It will be seen by the first table, that a block of granite of fifty-four cubic feet, which is about the average size of those in the Obelisk, is one hundred and one cents per foot, and by the last table is seventy-nine cents per foot ; and a mean between these prices is ninety cents, which, it is presumed, is now about the market price for blocks of granite of such dimensions.

A STATEMENT SHOWING THE ACTUAL COST.

In order to show the actual cost of this Obelisk, it may be necessary to premise, that the corner-stone was laid on the 17th of June, 1825, and that the work at the quarry was commenced on the 16th of November following. The work was continued until January, 1829, when it was suspended for the want of funds. It was afterwards recommenced, on the 17th of June, 1834, and proceeded until November, 1835, when it was again discontinued. In November, 1840, what then remained to be done was let out by contract, and the work is now nearly finished. The sums of money paid out, at different times, are as follows, as shown by the audited accounts, namely :

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First Experiment.

Expenses of the work, from November 16th, 1825, to February 28th, 1829,

paid by the superintendent, $56,525 19

Second Experiment.

Expenses from June 17th, 1834, to January, 1836, paid by the superintendent, 18,321 77

Paid by the treasurer directly to the workmen, 2,100 00

Last Experiment.

The expense of this experiment Avas paid by the contractor, as follows :

To D. M. C. Knox, for granite, etc., $1,725 12

To Rogers & Richards, 11,021 00

To Josiah Babcock, 856 91

To Wright & Barker, 7,136 32

For superintendence, 1,853 50

Cost of setting stone, by two experiments, .... 4,160 00 . . . 27,016 72

$103,963 68

Deduct, for worth of apparatus at the close, .... $1,400

Loss of house burnt, 800

Overcharge for transportation, 800 . . . 3,000 00

To this must be added the expense of the iron work, conductor, and bankage, which will increase the sum total to about one hundred and one thousand six hundred and eighty-eight dollars.

The question winch now remains to be decided, is, what a work of such magnitude and construction ought to have cost? Or rather, what it would have cost at the market prices? It will readily be perceived, that this is the hinge, or turning-point ; for if it should appear that the Association have paid no more than the market price for their work, they surely can have no cause for complaint. And if the sum which they have paid, namely, one hundred and one thousand six hundred and eighty-eight dollars, is shown to be little more than half the market price, or than half the sum paid by others for the same amount of work, it will prove that the facts in relation to the expenses of the work have been greatly misrepresented ; and that the reports in circulation, in regard to waste of funds, are entirely without foundation. 2

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THE FOLLOWING STATEMENT SHOWS WHAT THE WORK WOULD HAVE

COST AT THE MARKET PRICES.

The market price of the work on the Obelisk may be shown in two ways, either of which will be conclusive, namely : By the result of advertising the last contract, which of course determines the market price of such work ; or by measuring the whole, according to the rates charged at the principal places of business.

It has been shown that the stock and work, on the last contract, has cost the contractor about twenty-seven thousand dollars. This sum little exceeds one quarter of the whole sum expended on the work ; and his contract specifies that he is to receive of the Association for

the same, in cash, $43,800 00

And in apparatus, at the close, estimated at 1,400 00

He also receives an amount in tolls of visiters viewing the work,

estimated at 4,800 00

Total received by the contractor, $50,000 00

The amount of the last item, however, is generally estimated much higher. But allowing it to be correct, the contractor will receive, for the last quarter of the work, the sum of fifty thousand dollars. And it will follow, that, if the whole had been paid for at the same rate, the total amount would have been two hundred thousand dollars, as proposed to be shown.

Another method of arriving at nearly the same result, is by measuring the whole according to established prices. It has been found by calculation, that the granite alone, for the Obelisk, measured according to the first table, would have come to eighty-six thousand nine hundred and forty-two dollars and sixty-six cents ; and, according to the last, to sixty-seven thousand five hundred and forty dollars and ninety-nine cents, in a rough state. The fine dressing on the Obelisk, at the price of first quality work, in the preceding bill of prices, would have come to one hundred and forty thousand two hundred and fifty dollars, and the beds and builds, at twenty-five cents per foot, to thirty thousand dollars ; amounting, in the whole, to two hundred and thirty-seven thousand seven hundred and ninety dollars and ninety-nine cents ; to say nothing of the hoisting, mason work, mortar, iron cramps, etc., etc. And, at any price at which such work has ever been done, it could not have amounted to less than two hundred thousand dollars.

The following is the estimate for an obelisk of the same dimensions, but of cheap construction, previously referred to.

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A COPY OF COL. BALDWIN'S ESTIMATE.

Memorandum and estimate of an obelisk, of thirty feet base, fifteen at the top, and two hundred and twenty feet high, with a winding stairway round a circular hollow newel, composed of a wall one foot and six inches thick, with openings through it for stairs, for air, and light. Quincy stone. Namely :

3538 perches of stone for the wall of the Obelisk, of which 1179£ for

outside, at $5 per perch, $5,895 00

23491, for the interior, at $3 per perch, 7,047 00

19,800 feet of hammering on surface, at 50 cents per foot, . . 9,900 00

Average area of masonry — 402 feet, 147 18-inch courses — gives for beds and builds, 118,188 feet. Add one half for perpendicular joints — 59,094 = 177,282 feet. From this deduct one sixth = 29,547, outside, it will leave 147,735 feet of hammering, at 6 cts., . $8,864 29,547 feet outside hammering, at 25 cts., . . . 7,386 . . . 16,250 00

330 steps, 8 inches rise, average tread 1 foot, hammering rise and tread, say 2 ft. wide, 4 ft. long in the clear, 4x2x330=2640, at 50c. $320 00 Stock delivered for do., at 20 cents per foot, . . 330 00

Extra hammering, and laying circular staircase, and hollow newel, say

Laying 3538 perches of stone, $5 pr. perch, including scaffolding and rigging, 17,690 00

100 casks of Roman cement, $700 00

Lime and sand, at 75 cents per perch, .... 2,653 00 ... . 3,353 00

Foundation, with 50 feet base, 12 feet deep, 784 perches, which, including stones, mortar, and laying, at $10 per perch, . . . $7,840 150 squares of digging, at $2 per square, .... 300 .... 8,140 00 Foundation for platform, 24 feet wide all round, 6 feet deep = 143 squares,

Platform, say 20 feet wide all round, and 3 steps, 1.2 tread, each, equal 5029 square feet, top surface, rise of steps 8 inches, say one foot for lap 1176, and 5029 equal 6205 square hammered face, at 125 cts. 7,756 00 Foundation wall for platform and steps, say equal to half wall under

the whole, 6 feet deep, 603 perches, at $5 per perch, . . . 3,015 00 Windows, iron cramps, railing to staircase, roof, door, etc., . . . 4,831 00

Contingencies, superintendence, etc., 10,000 00

The estimated cost of the Obelisk, as shown by the foregoing memorandum, was one hundred thousand dollars, and the funds available at the commencement of the work, were thirty-three thousand five hundred and seventy-six dollars, as will be shown further on. It appears, therefore, that the amount of funds at disposal, when the work was commenced, was only about one third part of the sum wanted for the purpose intended, had the Obelisk been constructed in the cheapest manner, and probably not more than one sixth part of the sum wanted to have built it in the style adopted, had the market prices been paid for the work.

COMMENTS ON THE FOREGOING ESTIMATE.

It will be seen by the foregoing memorandum, that the estimated cost of an obelisk of thirty feet base, and two hundred and twenty feet liigh, was one hundred thousand dollars ; and in order to ascertain whether tins is a high, or low estimate, it will be necessary to examine the items that make up the amount.

The first item is for eleven hundred and seventy-nine and one thud perches of stone, at five dollars a perch, equal to twenty cents per cubic foot, nearly, delivered on Bunker's Hill. According to the estimate, there were to have been one hundred and forty-seven courses in the Obelisk, of eighteen inches rise, and eighteen inches thick ; and, as no drawing accompanied the estimate, it is to be presumed that they were to have been from six to twelve feet long, and consequently would have been about equal to posts and caps of the same dimensions. This lot of stone is estimated at twenty cents per cubic foot, delivered at the site of the Monument. It will be seen at once, by those acquainted with the business, that twenty cents per cubic foot, for stone of that quality, is a low estimate ; that it would barely pay the prime cost, under the best management. The transportation alone has generally cost about twelve cents per foot, leaving but eight cents per foot, for the quarrying, loading, bankage, and tools. The average price paid at the State Prison for such stone, for the last seventeen years, where competition has been allowed, and, consequently, the stone has been obtained at the lowest market price, is about thirty-four cents per foot. And by the Railway and Custom House prices, such stone would come much higher.

The next item in the estimate, is for twenty-three hundred and forty-nine and two thirds perches of stone for the interior. These are estimated, as will be seen, at three dollars per perch, or at twelve cents per cubic foot ; which was the price of common cellar stone at the time. It must be obvious, therefore, that the price was low, or that a very ordinary material was estimated for.

The hammering, on the outside, appears to be estimated at about a fair rate. It should be noticed, however, that the inner walls were to have been left in a rough state ; and in the design which has been executed, the fine dressing on the inner walls is about equal to the fine dressing on the outside ; and, consequently, there is nearly double the number of feet of fine dressing on the design which has been executed, that there was to have been on the one estimated for.

The hammering of the beds and builds, amounting to one hundred and forty-seven thousand seven hundred and thirty-five feet, is estimated at six cents per foot. This again, it will be seen, is a very low estimate for decent work, including tools ; and it will be obvious, to every one acquainted with the business, that any thing that could be done for six cents per foot, must necessarily be ordinary work ; the lowest work of the kind in the Custom House bill of prices being twenty-five cents. The laying of three thousand five hundred and thirty-eight perches of stone, at five dollars per perch, including scaffolding and rigging, amounting for the whole mason work, above ground, to seventeen thousand six hundred and ninety dollars, seems to be a moderate estimate ; as it is understood that a sum of nearly the amount, was carried in for the last contract alone, which was only about one third part of the work.

Of the remaining items, no particular notice seems to be necessary. It must be obvious, however, that the foregoing estimate was intended for a cheap kind of work, in order to adapt it, as far as possible, to the low state of the finances ; and, notwithstanding the low rate, it amounts to the sum of one hundred thousand dollars.

ABSTRACT FROM THE TREASURERS REPORT, FOR 1 8 3 0.

Receipts.

Whole amount of subscriptions, Grant of the State, ....

Ladies' donations, .

Cash borrowed on hypothecation of land,

$58,582 81

7.000 00

2.225 38

22.400 00

$90,208 19

Expenditures.

For land on Bunker's Hill, «

For quarry in Quincy,

For a monument in Concord,

Expenses connected with the celebration of the fiftieth anniversary, and

$23,332 43

325 00

500 00 laying the corner-stone, ....

Drawing, engraving, printing, advertising, taxes, &c.

Fixtures, apparatus, tools, &c

Expense of the monument,

4.720 85

2.440 13

9.606 67

46.951 13

$87,772 21

Deposited with the Massachusetts Hospital Life Insurance Company, {$87,772^21 as an accumulating fund for Ladies' donation, . . 2.225 38

Cash in the Treasurer's hands, 210 60 2.435 98

$90,208 19

Boston, Aug. 18th, 1330. N. P. K., Treasurer.

It will be perceived that the foregoing is an abstract from the Treasurer's report, for 1830 ; more than four years after the commencement of the work. It appears by this abstract, that the whole amount of the subscriptions to August isth, 1830, was . . $58,582 81

And the grant of the State, 7.000 00

In order to show the sum which was available at the commencement of the work, we must deduct for the cost of the land which was bought, $23,332 43

For the quarry, 325 00

For a monument in Concord, 500 00

For the expenses of laying the corner-stone, .... 4.720 85 For drawing, engraving, printing, taxes, &c. .... 2.440 13 Literest deducted from State security, say .... 688 00 32.006 41

Leaving, according to the above statement, thirty-three thousand five hundred and seventy-six dollars, and forty cents, as the whole sum on hand and available at the commencement of the work. It is presumed, however, that this is a high estimate, as contributions to a considerable amount, were known to have been made after the commencement of our work in 1825, and previous to August eighteenth, 1830, when this report was made. It is supposed, however, to be sufficiently near for the purpose intended.

It has been shown, that the actual cost of the Obelisk was about one hundred thousand dollars ; this being the total cost, notwithstanding all the impediments that have attended the work. Had it been well sustained, and completed in the course of about three years — which would have been a reasonable time — it would have made a great difference in the final cost. It must be obvious, however, that, whatever the difference might have been, it cannot be accurately ascertained ; but is estimated at twenty thousand dollars, leaving eighty thousand dollars as the probable cost of the Obelisk, had the work gone on without interruption or embarrassment.

The suspensions at different times were disadvantageous to the economy of the work. In the first place, the expensive apparatus, which was indispensable in carrying on such a work, by a delay of five years, became unfit for use, and consequently it required a new outfit, at every recommencement of the work. And the whole apparatus had lessened much in value at the end of seventeen years ; whereas, had the work been executed in the proper time, the same apparatus would probably have sold for half its first cost.

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And, secondly, there was a loss in discharging gangs of workmen, who, by practice, had become expert in the execution of the difficult work required for the Obelisk; and in consequence, being under the necessity of drilling in a new gang at every recommencement of the work. These suspensions had also a depressing effect on the spirits of those engaged in the executive parts, which was unfavorable to the economy of the work.

But notwithstanding the unfavorable circumstances that have attended the work, it is presumed, that, in regard to economy in the execution, it will not suffer in a comparison with any work whatever, that has been executed in modern times. And such a comparison would probably exhibit its merits more clearly than could be done in any other way.

It is found by comparison, that the Washington Monument, in Baltimore, contains but about half the number of cubic feet of material that are in this Obelisk. It consists of a column of about nineteen feet in diameter at the base, set on a pedestal, and altogether about one hundred and sixty feet high. It is well executed, but of cheap construction. The foundation is of slaty granite, in small pieces, and the body of the work is of bricks, faced with limestone, and in ashlar courses of about one foot rise. And, notwithstanding, has cost, as stated on good authority, about two hundred and twenty thousand dollars. And, consequently, has cost twenty thousand dollars more than twice as much as the Obelisk.

It will be seen, also, that the Obelisk will compare still more favorably with the work now going on at the Custom House in Boston.

It appears by the debate in Congress, that this Custom House, which it is presumed contains about an equal quantity of granite with the Obelisk, has already cost the sum of seven hundred thousand dollars, and requires three hundred thousand more to complete the work. The whole amounting to a million of dollars, and consequently equal to the cost of ten such obelisks as that on Bunker's Hill. And it is presumed, that the columns and pilasters alone, which are attached to the body of the work, have cost as much as two such obelisks.

It must be obvious, therefore, that if these works have been executed at fair rates, the Obelisk has been built at a very low rate ; and could not have been executed at such a price had not the work been skilfully planned, and had not the plan been well sustained, by close attention and hard labor.

It has already been shown, that the work done on the Obelisk, had the Association paid its full value, would have cost them the round sum of two hundred thousand dollars ; whereas, the actual sum paid out for the work is but about half that amount ; and, consequently, there has been a clear saving of one hundred thousand dollars, by the course taken in carrying it on. And as the saving of that amount is equivalent to contributing the same amount in cash, it follows, that those who have planned and conducted the executive parts of the work, have, in effect, borne half of the expense, by contributing to that amount in cash or its equivalent,

OF THE OBELISK: ITS ORIGIN, ETC.

It is already well known, that the ceremony of laying the corner-stone of the Monument intended to commemorate the Battle of Bunker's Ilill, did not take place until the fiftieth anniversary of that action. The cause of the delay in erecting a suitable memorial, to mark the spot on which it occurred, may be traced to various circumstances. The deranged state of affairs at the close of the revolutionary war was unfavorable for works of the kind. The attention of the People was necessarily directed to more pressing concerns. They were busily engaged in repairing the damages occasioned by the war; and it was only, when, by years of industry and economy, they had arrived at a state of competence and ease, that such a work could be successfully undertaken.

Soon after the close of the second war with Great Britain, however, the public attention was drawn to the subject. The prompt manner in which a kindred nation pays the tribute that is due to its heroes and benefactors, had often been noticed, and it is presumed had some effect in calling the attention of our citizens to a subject too long delayed. A meeting for devising the best mode of accomplishing the object in view, was called by a few patriotic citizens. The first meeting, however, was but thinly attended ; but, as the object became better known, the number increased, and in the year 1823 an act of incorporation was obtained, under the name of the ' Bunker Hill Monument Association,' for the purpose of erecting an appropriate Monument.