Newcastle Island was the site of quarrying of sandstone for buildings. The most famous building was the San Francisco mint known as the “Granite Lady”. This building was constructed between May 26, 1870 and November 5, 1874. Other famous buildings were the B.C. Penitentiary - 1875, the Esquimalt Graving Dock - 1880, Lord Nelson School - 1911 and the towers of Christ Church Cathedral, Victoria - 1955.
Sandstone from Newcastle Island was shipped to San Francisco via three schooners. The stone was used for facing the upper floors and the six colossal columns. On February 12, 1872 one of the ships, the Zephyr foundered and sank at Mayne Island, BC. Two lives were lost at that time. Due to the sinking of the ship, the building only has six columns instead of eight.
The Zephyr wasn't located until 1976. It still had two columns on board. One of the two columns was retrieved and is on display at the above coordinates. This location is close to where it was originally quarried and loaded out.
Sandstone originates by deposits of sand from wind or water depositing in a area. The next step in the process is weight is applied on top causing compaction of the lower deposits of sand. The compaction forces out air and water between the grains of sand. Minerals from the concentrated solution act as a cement which binds the particles of sand together, creating sandstone.
The quality of the sandstone is determined by such things as color, size of the sand grains, minerals present and its ability to withstand weather etc to name a few. Sandstone in general terms has a specific gravity of 2.32 and a weight of 145 pounds per cubic foot.
From 1923 to 1932 the McDonald cut-stone company cut stones from a quarry to supply the pulp industry where they were used to grind wood for making pulp. These stones were 54 inches in diameter and 40 inches deep. There is a replica machine on the island on the way to the above coordinates and stones showing the different stages of manufacture (see attached photos). The cut was made in 45 minutes and then the base was drilled to accommodate gun powder to shear it free. The stones were then put in a lathe and finished to size and smoothness.
The sandstone from the island was also used in some other famous buildings around the area namely the Nanaimo Post Office, Nanaimo Court House, Bank of Montreal and British North America Bank in Vancouver.
Logging requirements:
Email the number of people in your group posting a picture with you or your gps and the column in the background is optional.
In the email, give the number of straps supporting the column when it was placed in its present location.
Finally, measure the diameter and length of the column and calculate approximate weight of the column. In your email give your measurements and weight. Note: the measurements and weight of the column will be different than what is on the signs and on the internet.
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