required the outer caissons to be at least 20 ft. high.

To construct such piers in the ordinary manner behind coffer-dams, and
in such an exposed location, was to involve expenditure far beyond that
which the owner cared to incur. The writer's attention had shortly
before been called to the successful use of reinforced concrete caissons
on the Great Lakes for breakwater construction, by Major W. V. Judson,
M. Am. Soc. C. E., and under patents held by that officer. It seemed
that here was a solution of the problem. These caissons are constructed
on the shore, preferably immediately adjoining the work. After thorough
inspection and seasoning, they are usually launched in a manner somewhat
similar to a boat, are towed into position, sunk in place, and then
filled with rip-rap.

In this case what was needed was a structure that could be constructed
safely and cheaply in the air, could then be allowed to harden
thoroughly, and could finally be placed in accurate position. The
weights to be supported were not great, the beach was good gravel and
sand, fairly level, and, under favorable circumstances of good weather,
the placing of the caissons promised to be a simple matter. Therefore,
detailed plans were prepared for this structure.

An effort was made to preserve some element of the yachting idea in the
design, and bow-string trusses, being merely enlarged gang planks, were
used to connect the caissons.

The pier was originally laid out as a letter "L," with a main leg of
300 ft. and a short leg of 36 ft. The pier head consisted of eight
caissons in close contact, and was intended to form a breakwater, in the
angle of which, and protected from the wave action, was to be moored the