No. 631.
Mr. Farman to Mr. Evarts.
Cairo, Egypt, November 13, 1879. (Received December 4.)
Sir: I have the honor to inform you that the work preparatory to the removal of the obelisk at Alexandria is progressing satisfactorily. The constructions for lowering, moving, and placing it on board of a steamer [Page 995] arrived a few days since, and I have obtained an order to let them pass the custom-house free of duty. The government has also given orders that the same facilities and privileges be given to Lieutenant-Commander Gorringe that were given to Mr. Dixon in the removal of the obelisk taken to London two years ago.
In the prosecution of his work the commander has excavated a pit about the obelisk and extending from it to the sea in which to construct a float on which the obelisk is to be placed and taken to the port of Alexandria, about a mile distant in a straight line, but three or four miles by way of the sea.
The pit is 95 feet long and 40 feet broad at the end next to the sea, and 30 at the other, and has an average depth of 16 feet. There is also a side pit 12 feet square for receiving the pedestal. The total amount of the excavations is 54,920 cubic feet. The surface of the ground was also covered with hewn stone, which had to be removed. Their estimated quantity was 54 tons.
The foot of the obelisk, before the excavations were commenced, was buried in the sand and earth. This is now brought to view as well as all the foundations on which it rests.
The obelisk stands on a pedestal which is 9 feet 2 inches square and 6 feet 11 inches in height. The foundations of the pedestal consist of three marble steps, well preserved and resting on masonry. The lower surface of the lower step is only 18 inches above the level of the sea, It is quite evident that at the time of the erection of the obelisk in its present position, a little over eighteen centuries ago, the surface of the earth was but a little above the level of the sea. Since that time there has been an accumulation of earth and sand to the depth of 13 or 14 feet, burying the marble steps, the pedestal, and finally the foot of the obelisk. The vertical height of the three steps is 4 feet 9 inches, and the height of the summit of the obelisk above the lower surface of the lower step is 81 feet 2½ inches.
The pedestal weighs 43 tons of 2,240 pounds each, and the obelisk, if it were as originally cut, would weigh 199 tons; but it is estimated that it has lost, from various causes, about 3 tons.
I am indebted to Commander Gorringe tor the weights and measurements given in this dispatch. He expects, in case of good success in his work, to be ready to lower the obelisk within ten days.
I have, &c.,