Maine Granite
A mammoth shelf of granite exists in Penobscot Bay off the coastal city of Rockland, Maine. As a result, on the many islands in the bay, granite quarries began to spring up around 1826. Fox Island, later named Vinalhaven, is practically a huge granite ledge 9 miles long and 2 miles wide. Several of the Bodwell Granite Company’s quarries were located here. The 1899 order from architects Heins & LaFarge for eight massive columns came here. They were to be 6 ft. in diameter and 54 ft. high standing on 15 ft. high pedestals. As a result, the Wharff Quarry on Vinalhaven began the work on this granite from the sea.
Because of granite, towns like those on Vinalhaven grew rapidly. Vinalhaven had 1200-1500 men working at its peak. Demand for granite quarrymen encouraged immigration from Sweden, Finland, Scotland, Ireland, Spain and Italy. Being close to water gave Penobscot Bay’s granite industry an advantage. Shipping granite was cheaper and more efficient by schooner, sloop and barges. This was true until the end of the nineteenth century. Improving rail service allowed other states to participate in the granite trade. Finally, greater transportation options ended Maine’s 100 year dominance in granite production.
Vinalhaven’s Wharff Quarry
The quarry from which the the columns were obtained is remarkable. The production of pinkish-grey granite of great transverse strength and freedom from seams, checks and flaws was possible. Certainly these would be fatal to columns of such large dimensions. Consequently, it was thought to be about the only quarry in the United States that could produce monoliths of the size required. There is only one instance of larger columns worldwide. The Cathedral of St. Issac at St. Petersburg, Russia columns are 55 ft. high and 7 ft. 3 inches in diameter. Above all, the quarrying of such huge masses is an operation requiring the greatest care. Any false movement would readily ruin the work of weeks. The efforts in Vinalhaven to produce this granite by the sea were followed by the engineering and scientific community of the day for their unique challenges.
Quarrying
The quarrying is accomplished entirely by drilling and wedging. No blasting is possible for the reason that the stone would be shattered and flaws produced that would affect the integrity of the finished work. For the same reason quarrying cannot be carried on during cold weather. The holes are drilled from the top and side of the mass to be loosened, and in the direction of the grain of the granite. Most noteworthy, the only defect likely to be encountered is a black knot or a “growing fast” which spoils a stone.
The block in the featured image above is 64′ x 8.5′ x 7′. It weighs 300 tons. From the quarry face, which is at about ground level, the stone blank is moved about one quarter mile, slightly downhill to the lathe on steel rollers, drawn by steel cables and a hoisting engine. Furthermore it is held back by cables to prevent “running away”. Near the lathe, the blocks are rounded by hand to within 3 inches of the finished surface.
Next Week – Part II of Granite by the Sea will take a closer look at the unusual lathe that turned and polished the columns. Also, an unforeseen problem will be reviewed.
-Engineering News, Vol. No.23, Dec. 3 1903
-Vinalhaven Historical Society
