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The process of separating the base of the Lighthouse from the tower is nearly complete. It has been a long and difficult undertaking. In fact, by the time you read this, the Lighthouse should be 100% cut from its 130 year old foundation and totally resting on orange colored shoring towers. Work on this phase started in mid February.

The new I beams that wilt be used to create the moving pad have been arriving slowly. These special beams are being manufactured in Virginia and weigh 300 lb. per foot. They are double wide flange steel beams which are welded together. Manufactured into the beams are heavy duty hydraulic jacks. Some of these beams are 70' long and weigh lOtons. A special truck is being used to transport the I beams to Buxton. The I beams will be inserted between the shoring towers with the aid of a surveyor. Exact placement is critical.

The hydraulic jack system is created to lift the Lighthouse in an independent yet unified motion. Each jack will rise at the same rate despite the weight differences at different locations under the 60' square steel pad. The Lighthouse will then be lifted 6 feet high. The process of lifting the tower will take an estimated 2 weeks. This is a critical stage. Says Joe Jacubik of International Chimney, "We have to move the Lighthouse without the Lighthouse knowing it's being moved."

Many different steel beam configurations will be used during the entire relocation. After the Lighthouse is lifted 6', travel beams which will have roller dollies installed in them will then be added. These roller dollies are properly called Hillman rollers. Roller guides are part of the Hillman roller system. They grip both sides of each roll beam on which the Lighthouse will be pushed. Push jacks will sit upon the steel beams. They will then push the structure down the path created of yet more steel beams. A dry lubricant will be put on the tops of the roll beams with T1 planking to reduce resistance to the slide. Mid May is still looking like the starting time for the actual "moving" of the Cape Hatteras Lighthouse.

Joe Jakubik made this quote in a CNN interview. 'Two moments that are really key to me are when it takes its first 1/4 inch 'cause then it's moving - it is on its way. Then when it takes its last 1/4 inch. That's an important moment 'cause then it's over the solid foundation and nothing can go wrong at that point. In between, everything else is just a series of engineering steps."

Moving a 4,800 ton lighthouse is a major feat. A job of this magnitude takes knowledge and lots of man power. It would be inconceivable to think that there would be no accidents. To date, there have been 4 injury reports filled at the Lighthouse - 2 were minor, 1 was serious and 1 was potentially life threatening. The work under the Lighthouse is similar to coal mining, except it is above ground. It is just rock that needs to be chipped apart and hauled away. There are accidents all the time in mining. So far in Buxton, two workers have suffered from soreness associated with long term repetitive motions. The drilling has been in progress since February. Each drill is very heavy and is often used in awkward positions. One worker experienced sore muscles while another suffered problems with his hand grip. Both workers are still working on the relocation project but on light duty. According to worker Robert Penfield, "It is common sense that you can get hurt at any job." After all, the warning label on each drill reads "prolonged use can cause injury".

Ben Haggle had a more intimate experience with the drill. In a freak accident, the bit caught his glove and twisted it in such a way to break his thumb in several places. It has been several weeks since that incident and Ben is still working on the project but not under the tower. He has been seen working on the preparation of the new foundation.

A worker from Buffalo, NY had the closest call to a potentially deadly accident. Once again, it happened underneath the Lighthouse and involved a drill. While he was operating the drill, the machine jerked and cut worker Bob Hayes in the neck just below his jaw. It severed his carotid artery and required 15 stitches. Bob was a lucky, lucky man. Located next to this artery is the jugular vein. The distance between the cut and the jugular was about the thickness of this paper you are reading. If this vein had been cut, Hayes would have been dead before he would have hit the ground.

Bob Hayes returned home to his wife upon her request. It was a close call though this ICC employee is fine. He will probably return to Hatteras at some point possibly to drive equipment back and forth to Buffalo. His days of working under the Lighthouse are over.

Upon speaking with some of the local workers, they conveyed the fact that they can get employment anywhere on Hatteras Island. There is a shortage of workers on many construction sites in the area. In fact, most jobs available would entail easier work. Working at the Lighthouse does not pay more but the thought of being part of this moment in history is priceless. International Chimney expects to finish this project by September 30, 1999.

Ground water has been a continual problem at the new site. Two dewatering pumps have been running around the clock to keep the area dy while workers prepare to pour the newfoundation. The surrounding woods are full of standing water. The moving path has had some of this unwanted water pumped onto it to help pack the sand. If Cape Hatteras receives much rain from a persistent low pressure in the Atlantic, ICC is prepared to pump this excess water into the ocean. But at the time of writing this, that is not expected to likely happen.

Currently, the perimeter footings have been poured. The specially made re-bars have been laid into the pit and concrete was poured over the re-bars. These rebars were painted before the pour began. It was important to insure that these metal strips will never rust, which will keep them from expanding and potentially cracking the concrete.

The actual pouring of the concrete pad began May 1. It was a continuous pour to make this pad seamless. Two concrete plants, one in Buxton and one in Nags Head, was employed to make the concrete for this pour. It was a busy time, for 520 yards of concrete was delivered. There were many concrete trucks traveling Hwy 12. There has been a quality control team monitoring the assembling of the new site. Dave Fisohetti has spent many hours in Cape Hatteras checking all the details of the project. Not only is he examining every detail concerning the safety of the Lighthouse, but also the safety of the workmen. Even though the pit that will house the new foundation is very large and open, long extension ladders are placed every 25' in the pit. In the improbable event of a cavein, the men would have a way to safety.

No time capsule was discovered in the foundation of the Lighthouse. The National Park Service is considering puffing one into the new foundation at the new site. They still have time to put one together for it will still be a few months before the Lighthouse will be fully joined with her new feet.

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The Hatteras Island News will be documenting each and every move the lighthouse makes, from ground level and also from the air.

The Hatteras Island News is a free By-Weekly Publication by the Hatteras Monitor. It arrives in our mailboxes twice a month.

Publisher
Richard Jones
Anne McDermott

Printing
Curtis Cromwell

P.O. Box 364
Frisco, NC 27936
252-995-5378