The_AT New_NP1 York_NP1 City_NN1 Subway_NN1 System_NN1 (_( Building_NN1 America_NP1 :_: Then_RT and_CC Now_RT )_) Beneath_II the_AT Surface_NN1 Construction_NN1 of_IO the_AT New_NP1 York_NP1 Subway_NP1 took_VVD place_NN1 concurrently_RR at_II various_JJ locations_NN2 along_II the_AT planned_JJ 22-_JJ mile_NNU1 (_( 35.4_MC km_NNU )_) route_NN1 ._. 
Where_CS rock_NN1 was_VBDZ relatively_RR malleable_JJ --_NN1 where_CS it_PPH1 could_VM be_VBI picked_VVN away_RL fairly_RR easily_RR or_CC blasted_VVD apart_RL with_IW little_DA1 effort_NN1 --_NN1 the_AT "_" cut_NN1 and_CC cover_VV0 "_" construction_NN1 method_NN1 was_VBDZ preferred_VVN ._. 
Streets_NN2 were_VBDR torn_VVN up_RP and_CC rectangular_JJ trenches_NN2 gouged_VVD out_RP ._. 
Massive_JJ timbering_NN1 in_II the_AT ditches_NN2 ,_, with_IW cross_NN1 bracings_NN2 ,_, rangers_NN2 ,_, and_CC posts_NN2 ,_, was_VBDZ often_RR needed_VVN to_TO support_VVI on-_JJ surface_NN1 decking_NN1 used_VMK to_TO cover_VVI sidewalk_NN1 sand_NN1 thoroughfares_NN2 ._. 
This_DD1 was_VBDZ necessary_JJ so_CS21 that_CS22 the_AT daily_JJ business_NN1 of_IO the_AT city_NN1 ,_, getting_VVG about_RP on_II foot_NN1 and_CC in_II surface_NN1 trolleys_NN2 ,_, could_VM continue_VVI relatively_RR unimpeded_JJ ._. 
Workers_NN2 ,_, mostly_RR unskilled_JJ laborers_NN2 ,_, would_VM begin_VVI by_II clawing_VVG at_II street_NN1 pavement_NN1 with_IW pickaxes_NN2 ._. 
As_II the_AT rubble_NN1 of_IO broken_JJ brick_NN1 ,_, stone_NN1 ,_, rock_NN1 ,_, and_CC asphalt_NN1 piled_VVD up_RP ,_, it_PPH1 was_VBDZ shoveled_VVN into_II wheelbarrows_NN2 and_CC hauled_VVN away_RL ._. 
In_II some_DD cases_NN2 ,_, pushcarts_VVZ that_CST ran_VVD as_RG temporary_JJ ,_, small-gauged_JJ railroads_NN2 moved_VVD material_NN1 out_RP ._. 
Actual_JJ subway_NN1 construction_NN1 could_VM now_RT commence_VVI ._. 
First_MD ,_, a_AT1 four-inch_NNU concrete_JJ foundation_NN1 was_VBDZ poured_VVN over_II the_AT floor_NN1 and_CC then_RT covered_VVN with_IW hot_JJ asphalt_NN1 to_TO keep_VVI water_NN1 from_II seeping_VVG up_RP ._. 
Walls_NN2 were_VBDR constructed_VVN of_IO terra_NN1 cotta_NN1 (_( baked_JJ clay_NN1 )_) ,_, with_IW holes_NN2 running_VVG throughout_II their_APPGE length_NN1 ._. 
Electrical_JJ conduit_NN1 would_VM be_VBI strung_VVN through_II these_DD2 openings_NN2 at_II a_AT1 later_JJR date_NN1 ._. 
Concrete_JJ footings_NN2 were_VBDR next_MD placed_VVN on_II the_AT surface_NN1 bed_NN1 ,_, five_MC feet_NN2 (_( 1.5_MC m_NNU )_) apart_RL ._. 
These_DD2 would_VM support_VVI the_AT tunnel_NN1 skeleton_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ consisted_VVD of_IO I_ZZ1 --_JJ beam_NN1 posts_NN2 and_CC girders_NN2 ._. 
Finally_RR ,_, concrete_JJ inner_JJ walls_NN2 and_CC a_AT1 ceiling_NN1 were_VBDR poured_VVN ._. 
The_AT basic_JJ subway_NN1 was_VBDZ complete_JJ --_NN1 John_NP1 McDonald_NP1 's_GE elongated_JJ "_" cellar_NN1 "_" in_II the_AT making_NN1 ._. 
That_DD1 was_VBDZ the_AT so-called_JJ easy_JJ part_NN1 ,_, except_II21 for_II22 one_MC1 thing_NN1 ._. 
Engineers_NN2 had_VHD decided_VVN early_RR on_II21 to_II22 avoid_VV0 ,_, if_CS at_RR21 all_RR22 possible_JJ ,_, tunneling_VVG under_II buildings_NN2 ,_, lest_CS foundations_NN2 give_VV0 way_NN1 and_CC structures_NN2 collapse_NN1 ._. 
Instead_RR ,_, they_PPHS2 would_VM follow_VVI the_AT line_NN1 of_IO existing_JJ streets_NN2 ,_, where_CS they_PPHS2 reasoned_VVD there_EX would_VM be_VBI better_JJR ventilation_NN1 for_IF construction_NN1 crews_NN2 and_CC less_DAR danger_NN1 of_IO permanent_JJ property_NN1 damage_NN1 ._. 
Yet_RR ,_, Manhattan_NP1 at_II the_AT turn_NN1 of_IO the_AT twentieth_MD century_NNT1 (_( even_RR in_II its_APPGE northern_JJ regions_NN2 )_) was_VBDZ relatively_RR built_VVN up_RP ,_, with_IW a_AT1 mass_NN1 of_IO underground_JJ utilities_NN2 to_TO contend_VVI with_IW ._. 
It_PPH1 certainly_RR did_VDD not_XX help_VVI that_DD1 sewer_NN1 pipes_NN2 ,_, which_DDQ extended_VVD up_RG21 to_RG22 three_MC feet_NN2 (_( .9_MC m_NNU )_) in_II diameter_NN1 ,_, ran_VVD east_ND1 and_CC west_ND1 across_II Manhattan_NP1 so_RR that_DD1 waste_NN1 could_VM be_VBI discharged_VVN into_II the_AT Hudson_NP1 and_CC East_ND1 rivers_NN2 ._. 
The_AT subway_NN1 route_NN1 moved_VVD north_ND1 and_CC south_ND1 ,_, at_II a_AT1 right_JJ angle_NN1 to_II these_DD2 interfering_VVG drainage_NN1 carriers_NN2 ._. 
As_CSA troublesome_JJ ,_, difficult_JJ ,_, and_CC frustrating_JJ as_CSA it_PPH1 was_VBDZ to_TO remove_VVI and_CC replace_VVI city_NN1 utilities_NN2 ,_, engineers_NN2 still_RR found_VVN cut_NN1 and_CC cover_VV0 the_AT preferred_JJ way_NN1 to_TO proceed_VVI wherever_RRQV possible_JJ ._. 
Unfortunately_RR ,_, only_RR slightly_RR more_DAR than_CSN half_DB (_( 52_MC percent_NNU )_) of_IO the_AT subway_NN1 's_GE total_JJ length_NN1 could_VM be_VBI cut_VVN using_VVG this_DD1 surface_NN1 excavation_NN1 method_NN1 ._. 
Construction_NN1 was_VBDZ about_RPK to_TO get_VVI much_RR tougher_JJR ._. 
MINING_VVG THE_AT SUBWAY_NN1 Tunnel_NN1 boring_JJ --_NN1 where_RRQ workers_NN2 first_MD dig_VV0 vertical_JJ shafts_NN2 and_CC then_RT proceed_VV0 horizontally_RR ,_, either_RR on_II land_NN1 or_CC under_II a_AT1 river_NN1 --_NN1 would_VM constitute_VVI approximately_RR 13_MC percent_NNU of_IO the_AT subway_NN1 's_GE 22-_JJ mile_NNU1 (_( 35.4_NNU km_NNU )_) route_NN1 under_II Contract_NN1 One_MC1 ,_, which_DDQ was_VBDZ signed_VVN in_II 1900_MC ._. 
(_( Contract_NN1 Two_MC ,_, signed_VVN in_II 1902_MC ,_, would_VM take_VVI subway_NN1 construction_NN1 south_ND1 from_II City_NN1 Hall_NN1 to_II South_ND1 Ferry_NN1 ,_, and_CC then_RT under_II the_AT East_ND1 River_NN1 to_II Brooklyn_NP1 ._. )_) 
Such_DA tunneling_NN1 ,_, whether_CSW on_II Manhattan_NP1 Island_NNL1 itself_PPX1 or_CC under_II rivers_NN2 ,_, was_VBDZ essentially_RR a_AT1 mining_NN1 operation_NN1 ._. 
Miners_NN2 ,_, who_PNQS were_VBDR mostly_RR experienced_JJ members_NN2 of_IO workers_NN2 '_GE unions_NN2 ,_, were_VBDR required_VVN to_TO do_VDI the_AT digging_NN1 and_CC blasting_VVG ._. 
For_IF the_AT tunnel_NN1 under_II Washington_NP1 Heights_NN2 ,_, from_II 168th_MD Street_NN1 to_II 181st_MD Street_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 two-mile-long_JJ (_( 3.2_MC km_NNU )_) cavity_NN1 had_VHD to_TO be_VBI bored_VVN ,_, often_RR at_II a_AT1 depth_NN1 of_IO 150_MC feet_NN2 (_( 45.7_MC m_NNU )_) ._. 
Oncompletion_NN1 ,_, elevators_NN2 would_VM be_VBI required_VVN to_TO take_VVI passengers_NN2 to_II and_CC from_II a_AT1 station_NN1 platform_NN1 above_RL ._. 
Construction_NN1 on_II this_DD1 structure_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ came_VVD to_TO be_VBI known_VVN as_II the_AT Fort_NP1 George_NP1 Tunnel_NN1 ,_, attracted_VVD more_DAR than_CSN 600_MC miners_NN2 ,_, many_DA2 from_II out_RP west_ND1 and_CC as_RG far_RR away_RL as_CSA South_NP1 Africa_NP1 ._. 
Many_DA2 of_IO these_DD2 miners_NN2 ,_, who_PNQS were_VBDR accustomed_VVN to_II working_VVG in_II rural_JJ and_CC isolated_JJ areas_NN2 ,_, found_VVD digging_VVG in_II Manhattan_NP1 an_AT1 unusual_JJ undertaking_NN1 with_IW unfamiliar_JJ advantages_NN2 and_CC pleasures_NN2 ._. 
Mining_VVG operations_NN2 went_VVD well_RR enough_RR as_CS31 long_CS32 as_CS33 the_AT schist_NN1 encountered_VVN was_VBDZ stable_JJ ._. 
Carving_NN1 consisted_VVN of_IO an_AT1 endlessly_RR repeating_JJ cycle_NN1 of_IO drilling_VVG ,_, blasting_VVG ,_, clearing_VVG ,_, and_CC timbering_NN1 of_IO a_AT1 relatively_RR small-diameter_JJ bore_NN1 until_II two_MC headings_NN2 came_VVD together_RL at_II the_AT middle_NN1 ,_, thus_RR completing_VVG the_AT basic_JJ tunnel_NN1 ._. 
Workers_NN2 then_RT enlarged_VVD the_AT tube_NN1 to_II full_JJ bore_NN1 ,_, lined_VVN it_PPH1 with_IW concrete_NN1 ,_, and_CC set_VV0 the_AT track_NN1 and_CC support_VV0 utilities_NN2 ._. 
When_CS rock_NN1 softened_VVN or_CC became_VVD permeated_VVD with_IW water_NN1 --_NN1 either_RR on_II the_AT island_NN1 itself_PPX1 (_( because_CS Manhattan_NP1 is_VBZ essentially_RR at_II sea_NN1 level_NN1 )_) or_CC under_II rivers_NN2 --_NN1 the_AT situation_NN1 could_VM become_VVI unstable_JJ and_CC dangerous_JJ ._. 
To_TO keep_VVI the_AT water_NN1 at_II bay_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 tunnel_NN1 had_VHD to_TO be_VBI pressurized_VVN ._. 
Air_NN1 was_VBDZ pumped_VVN in_RP until_CS the_AT pressure_NN1 was_VBDZ high_RR enough_RR to_TO counter_VVI the_AT water_NN1 pressure_NN1 and_CC keep_VVI the_AT liquid_JJ back_NN1 ._. 
Miners_NN2 who_PNQS labored_VVD in_II such_DA conditions_NN2 (_( known_VVN as_II "_" working_VVG in_II air_NN1 "_" )_) would_VM often_RR experience_VVI pressures_NN2 two_MC or_CC three_MC times_NNT2 what_DDQ their_APPGE bodies_NN2 were_VBDR used_JJ to_II ._. 
These_DD2 risk_VV0 takers_NN2 ,_, referred_VVN to_II as_CSA "_" sandhogs_VVZ ,_, "_" had_VHD to_TO stop_VVI for_IF frequent_JJ rests_NN2 ._. 
Often_RR they_PPHS2 labored_VVD no_AT more_RRR that_DD1 half_DB an_AT1 hour_NNT1 before_CS "_" retiring_VVG "_" to_II an_AT1 air_NN1 chamber_NN1 brought_VVN up_RP to_II atmospheric_JJ pressure_NN1 to_TO recuperate_VVI ._. 
Clearly_RR ,_, subway_NN1 work_NN1 was_VBDZ not_XX for_IF the_AT faint_NN1 of_IO heart_NN1 ._. 
Danger_NN1 struck_VVD most_RGT cruelly_RR at_II the_AT portal_NN1 to_II the_AT Fort_NP1 George_NP1 Tunnelon_NP1 October_NPM1 24_MC ,_, 1903_MC ._. 
Forty-four_MC more_DAR workers_NN2 would_VM die_VVI before_II the_AT first_MD phase_NN1 of_IO subway_NN1 construction_NN1 was_VBDZ completed_VVN in_II October_NPM1 1904_MC ._. 
SANDHOGS_VVZ UNDERWATER_JJ Rock_NN1 tunneling_VVG ,_, or_CC digging_VVG deep_RR on_II the_AT island_NN1 of_IO Manhattan_NP1 ,_, was_VBDZ one_MC1 task_NN1 ;_; boring_JJ beneath_II rivers_NN2 was_VBDZ quite_RG another_DD1 ._. 
Contract_VV0 One_MC1 required_JJ builders_NN2 to_TO go_VVI below_II the_AT 750-foot-wide_JJ (_( 228.6_MC m_NNU )_) Harlem_NP1 River_NNL1 to_TO cross_VVI into_II the_AT Bronx_NP1 ._. 
Under_II Contract_NN1 Two_MC ,_, they_PPHS2 would_VM have_VHI to_TO span_VVI the_AT much_RR wider_JJR ,_, nearly_RR 2,000-_FO foot_NN1 (_( 609.6_MC m_NNU )_) East_ND1 River_NN1 on_II their_APPGE way_NN1 to_II Brooklyn_NP1 ._. 
Dramatically_RR different_JJ methods_NN2 were_VBDR used_VVN to_TO affect_VVI the_AT crossings_NN2 ._. 
To_TO build_VVI the_AT two-track_JJ Lenox_NP1 Avenue_NNL1 line_NN1 under_II the_AT Harlem_NP1 River_NNL1 ,_, the_AT contractor_NN1 chose_VVD to_TO fabricate_VVI giant_JJ cast-_JJ iron_NN1 tubes_NN2 made_VVN from_II individual_JJ plates_NN2 ,_, assemble_VV0 sections_NN2 ,_, and_CC then_RT float_VV0 them_PPHO2 into_II the_AT Harlem_NP1 River_NNL1 ._. 
Once_CS the_AT tubes_NN2 were_VBDR positioned_VVN over_II a_AT1 pre-_JJ dredged_JJ site_NN1 ,_, they_PPHS2 were_VBDR filled_VVN with_IW water_NN1 ,_, sunk_VVN into_II place_NN1 ,_, and_CC secured_VVN ._. 
This_DD1 method_NN1 had_VHD many_DA2 advantages_NN2 ,_, including_VVG that_CST it_PPH1 permitted_VVD much_RR closer_JJR spacing_NN1 between_II tunnels_NN2 ._. 
For_IF the_AT first_MD subway_NN1 into_II Brooklyn_NP1 (_( completed_VVN in_II 1908_MC as_II part_NN1 of_IO the_AT Contract_NN1 Two_MC extension_NN1 )_) ,_, boring_JJ deep_JJ and_CC using_VVG a_AT1 shield_NN1 was_VBDZ the_AT method_NN1 of_IO choice_NN1 ._. 
The_AT shield_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ was_VBDZ made_VVN of_IO 2.125-_JJ inch_NNU1 thick_JJ (_( 5.39_NNU cm_NNU )_) steel_NN1 plates_NN2 and_CC weighed_VVD almost_RR 200_MC tons_NNU2 (_( 181.4_MC metric_JJ tonnes_NNU2 )_) ,_, was_VBDZ designed_VVN to_TO provide_VVI a_AT1 cutting_JJ edge_NN1 and_CC ,_, at_II the_AT same_DA time_NNT1 ,_, protect_VV0 frontline_NN1 workers_NN2 from_II falling_VVG rock_NN1 ._. 
It_PPH1 also_RR had_VHD to_TO resist_VVI the_AT crushing_JJ forces_NN2 of_IO the_AT earth_NN1 and_CC rock_NN1 around_II it_PPH1 ,_, while_CS slowly_RR inching_VVG forward_RL under_II tremendous_JJ pressure_NN1 ._. 
Digging_VVG in_II such_DA an_AT1 environment_NN1 below_II a_AT1 riverbed_NN1 was_VBDZ dangerous_JJ work_NN1 ,_, and_CC accidents_NN2 did_VDD happen_VVI ._. 
Fortunately_RR ,_, not_XX all_RR resulted_VVN in_II serious_JJ injuries_NN2 or_CC fatalities_NN2 ._. 
Indeed_RR ,_, one_PN1 in_RR21 particular_RR22 took_VVD a_AT1 most_RGT bizarre_JJ turn_NN1 ._. 
Marshall_NP1 Mabey_NP1 was_VBDZ working_VVG in_II a_AT1 compressed-_JJ air_NN1 tunnel_NN1 when_RRQ ,_, all_RR41 of_RR42 a_RR43 sudden_RR44 ,_, it_PPH1 deflated_VVD like_II a_AT1 punctured_JJ balloon_NN1 ._. 
Mabey_NN1 was_VBDZ sucked_VVN up_RP through_II several_DA2 feet_NN2 of_IO thick_JJ sand_NN1 and_CC blasted_VVD out_RP above_II the_AT river_NN1 on_II a_AT1 geyser_NN1 of_IO water_NN1 40_MC feet_NN2 (_( 12.19_MC m_NNU )_) high_JJ ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 closed_VVD my_APPGE eyes_NN2 and_CC managed_VVD to_TO get_VVI my_APPGE hands_NN2 over_II my_APPGE head_NN1 when_CS I_PPIS1 realized_VVD I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ in_II sand_NN1 and_CC was_VBDZ being_VBG pushed_VVN by_II a_AT1 tremendous_JJ force_NN1 ,_, "_" the_AT astonished_JJ worker_NN1 declared_VVD a_AT1 short_JJ time_NNT1 later_RRR ,_, as_CSA reported_VVN by_II Vivian_NP1 Heller_NP1 ._. 
"_" I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ being_VBG squeezed_VVN tighter_RRR than_CSN any_DD girl_NN1 ever_RR held_VVD me_PPIO1 and_CC the_AT pressure_NN1 was_VBDZ all_RR over_II me_PPIO1 ,_, especially_RR on_II my_APPGE head_NN1 ...._... 
The_AT last_MD thing_NN1 I_PPIS1 recalled_VVD was_VBDZ seeing_VVG the_AT Brooklyn_NP1 Bridge_NN1 above_II me_PPIO1 while_CS I_PPIS1 was_VBDZ whirling_VVG around_RP in_II the_AT air_NN1 ._. "_" 
Mabey_NP1 went_VVD back_RP to_TO work_VVI later_RRR that_DD1 afternoon_NNT1 ._. 
During_II subway_NN1 digging_NN1 ,_, it_PPH1 was_VBDZ not_XX surprising_JJ for_IF workers_NN2 to_TO uncover_VVI strange_JJ objects_NN2 from_II the_AT past_NN1 ._. 
At_II Dyckman_NP1 Street_NNL1 ,_, bones_NN2 of_IO a_AT1 prehistoric_JJ mastodon_NN1 were_VBDR unearthed_VVN ._. 
Elsewhere_RL ,_, the_AT hull_NN1 of_IO an_AT1 old_JJ Dutch_JJ ship_NN1 that_CST had_VHD gone_VVN down_RP in_II 1613_MC was_VBDZ exhumed_VVN ,_, as_CSA were_VBDR old_JJ parts_NN2 of_IO the_AT city_NN1 ,_, such_II21 as_II22 Cat_NN1 Alley_NN1 ._. 
Digging_VVG down_RP brought_VVD much_DA1 of_IO New_NP1 York_NP1 's_GE past_JJ back_NN1 up_RP for_IF reexamination_NN1 ._. 
TEARING_VVG IT_PPH1 UP_RP Although_CS every_AT1 attempt_NN1 was_VBDZ made_VVN to_TO avoid_VVI tunneling_VVG under_II buildings_NN2 ,_, monuments_NN2 ,_, or_CC other_JJ structures_NN2 ,_, there_EX were_VBDR times_NNT2 when_RRQ it_PPH1 was_VBDZ unavoidable_JJ ._. 
A_AT1 subway_NN1 tunnel_NN1 that_CST passed_VVD directly_RR under_II the_AT Hotel_NN1 Belmont_NP1 at_II 42nd_MD Street_NN1 and_CC Park_NP1 Avenue_NNL1 ,_, for_REX21 example_REX22 ,_, had_VHD to_TO be_VBI shored_VVN up_RP with_IW extra-_JJ heavy_JJ girders_NN2 and_CC foundations_NN2 to_TO support_VVI both_DB2 the_AT hotel_NN1 and_CC the_AT subway_NN1 station_NN1 ._. 
A_AT1 particularly_RR difficult_JJ challenge_NN1 arose_VVD when_CS it_PPH1 was_VBDZ discovered_VVN that_CST the_AT subway_NN1 would_VM pass_VVI under_II the_AT east_ND1 side_NN1 of_IO the_AT Columbus_NP1 Monument_NN1 ,_, in_II what_DDQ is_VBZ now_RT Columbus_NP1 Circle_NN1 ,_, at_II the_AT southwest_ND1 corner_NN1 of_IO Central_JJ Park_NN1 ._. 
The_AT monument_NN1 --_NN1 which_DDQ stood_VVD 75_MC feet_NN2 (_( 22.86_MC m_NNU )_) tall_JJ and_CC weighed_VVD 700_MC tons_NNU2 (_( 635_MC metric_JJ tonnes_NNU2 )_) --_NN1 was_VBDZ built_VVN in_II 1892_MC to_TO commemorate_VVI the_AT four-_NN1 hundredth_MD anniversary_NN1 of_IO Columbus_NP1 's_GE landfall_NN1 in_II the_AT New_JJ World_NN1 ._. 
The_AT subway_NN1 was_VBDZ designed_VVN to_TO pass_VVI within_II three_MC feet_NN2 (_( .9_MC m_NNU )_) of_IO the_AT monument_NN1 's_GE center_NN1 ,_, which_DDQ would_VM reduce_VVI a_AT1 significant_JJ portion_NN1 of_IO its_APPGE support_NN1 ._. 
According_II21 to_II22 the_AT Web_NN1 site_NN1 ConstructionCompany.com_NP1 :_: In_BCL21 order_BCL22 to_TO ensure_VVI the_AT safety_NN1 of_IO the_AT monument_NN1 and_CC the_AT workers_NN2 ,_, a_AT1 tunnel_NN1 six_MC feet_NN2 wide_JJ and_CC seven_MC feet_NN2 high_JJ was_VBDZ dug_VVN under_II the_AT monument_NN1 just_RR outside_II the_AT subway_NN1 's_GE wall_NN1 line_NN1 ._. 
Workers_NN2 put_VVN in_II a_AT1 concrete_JJ bottom_NN1 in_BCL21 order_BCL22 to_TO support_VVI a_AT1 row_NN1 of_IO wooden_JJ posts_NN2 that_CST would_VM carry_VVI the_AT footing_NN1 above_RL ._. 
When_CS this_DD1 was_VBDZ done_VDN ,_, the_AT tunnel_NN1 was_VBDZ filled_VVN with_IW masonry_NN1 rubble_NN1 ,_, making_VVG a_AT1 wall_NN1 that_CST was_VBDZ strong_JJ enough_RR to_TO support_VVI the_AT monument_NN1 during_II the_AT subway_NN1 's_GE construction_NN1 ._. 
A_AT1 unique_JJ situation_NN1 also_RR developed_VVN in_II Times_NNT2 Square_NN1 (_( so_RR named_VVN when_CS the_AT New_NP1 York_NP1 Times_NNT2 moved_VVD its_APPGE headquarters_NN there_RL )_) at_II 42nd_MD Street_NN1 and_CC Broadway_NN1 in_II 1904_MC ._. 
The_AT pressroom_NN1 of_IO the_AT newspaper_NN1 was_VBDZ actually_RR located_VVN below_II the_AT subway_NN1 ._. 
The_AT subway_NN1 had_VHD to_TO be_VBI built_VVN right_RR through_II the_AT building_NN1 ,_, with_IW the_AT building_NN1 's_GE columns_NN2 passing_VVG through_II a_AT1 subway_NN1 station_NN1 ._. 
Workers_NN2 used_JJ steel_NN1 channels_NN2 to_TO brace_VVI the_AT building_NN1 and_CC ensure_VVI it_PPH1 was_VBDZ not_XX damaged_VVN ._. 
The_AT shoring_VVG up_RP of_IO nearby_JJ buildings_NN2 and_CC elevated_JJ train_NN1 tracks_NN2 was_VBDZ required_VVN in_II numerous_JJ places_NN2 to_TO prevent_VVI structures_NN2 tumbling_VVG down_RP from_II subway_NN1 digging_NN1 ._. 
However_RR ,_, before_CS construction_NN1 actually_RR commenced_VVN ,_, the_AT IRT_NN1 hired_JJ photographers_NN2 to_TO go_VVI up_RP and_CC down_RP the_AT projected_JJ subway_NN1 route_NN1 and_CC photograph_VV0 every_AT1 single_JJ structure_NN1 ._. 
This_DD1 provided_VVD a_AT1 visual_JJ record_NN1 of_IO exactly_RR what_DDQ was_VBDZ there_RL and_CC what_DDQ it_PPH1 looked_VVD like_II before_II digging_NN1 ,_, blasting_VVG ,_, and_CC timbering_NN1 took_VVD place_NN1 ._. 
If_CS any_DD property_NN1 owner_NN1 later_RRR claimed_VVN damages_NN2 from_II the_AT IRT_NN1 ,_, a_AT1 photograph_NN1 could_VM be_VBI used_VVN to_TO set_VVI the_AT record_NN1 straight_RR ._. 
As_RR21 well_RR22 planned_VVN and_CC carefully_RR executed_VVN as_II the_AT massive_JJ subway_NN1 construction_NN1 project_NN1 was_VBDZ ,_, there_EX were_VBDR failures_NN2 ;_; in_II some_DD places_NN2 ,_, everything_PN1 came_VVD tumbling_VVG down_RP ._. 
Wooden_JJ streets_NN2 occasionally_RR collapsed_VVN ,_, with_IW streetcars_NN2 ,_, wagons_NN2 ,_, and_CC even_RR pedestrians_NN2 falling_VVG in_RP ._. 
A_AT1 cut-_JJ and-_JJ cover_NN1 ditch_NN1 would_VM simply_RR cave_VVI in_RP and_CC delay_VVI construction_NN1 in_II the_AT given_JJ location_NN1 for_IF weeks_NNT2 ._. 
A_AT1 particularly_RR frustrating_JJ cave-_NN1 in_II occurred_VVD on_II the_AT east_ND1 side_NN1 of_IO Park_NP1 Avenue_NNL1 between_II 37th_MD and_CC 38th_MD streets_NN2 ._. 
The_AT disaster_NN1 caused_VVD so_RG much_DA1 damage_NN1 to_II nearby_JJ property_NN1 that_CST August_NPM1 Belmont_NP1 felt_VVD it_PPH1 would_VM be_VBI better_JJR to_TO buy_VVI out_RP all_DB the_AT owners_NN2 as_II a_AT1 group_NN1 rather_CS21 than_CS22 attempt_VVI to_TO compensate_VVI them_PPHO2 individually_RR ._. 
He_PPHS1 pur-chased_VVD the_AT entire_JJ block_NN1 for_IF $1_NNU million_NNO and_CC then_RT demolished_VVD all_DB the_AT buildings_NN2 ._. 
Difficulties_NN2 aside_RL ,_, in_II late_JJ 1904_MC --_JJ as_II the_AT end_NN1 of_IO the_AT four-_NN1 and_CC a-_ZZ1 half-_JJ year_NNT1 construction_NN1 period_NN1 neared_VVD --_JJ August_NPM1 Belmont_NP1 and_CC company_NN1 had_VHD much_DA1 to_TO celebrate_VVI ._. 
Fifty-_NN1 eight_MC miles_NNU2 (_( 93.3_MC km_NNU )_) of_IO track_NN1 (_( open_JJ trench_NN1 ,_, underground_RL ,_, and_CC elevated_JJ )_) were_VBDR laid_VVN ,_, and_CC a_AT1 good_JJ portion_NN1 of_IO the_AT route_NN1 was_VBDZ four_MC tracks_NN2 wide_JJ ._. 
There_EX would_VM be_VBI 43_MC local_JJ stations_NN2 and_CC 5_MC express_JJ stations_NN2 ._. 
Some_DD trains_NN2 were_VBDR expected_VVN to_TO achieve_VVI speeds_NN2 of_IO up_RG21 to_RG22 45_MC miles_NNU2 (_( 72.4_MC km_NNU )_) per_II hour_NNT1 ,_, more_DAR than_CSN three_MC times_NNT2 as_RG fast_RR as_CSA any_DD elevated_JJ could_VM go_VVI ._. 
Power_NN1 to_TO run_VVI the_AT subway_NN1 trains_NN2 and_CC light_VVI the_AT stations_NN2 would_VM be_VBI supplied_VVN by_II a_AT1 massive_JJ IRT_NN1 powerhouse_NN1 built_VVN on_II the_AT Hudson_NP1 River_NNL1 ._. 
The_AT station_NN1 would_VM generate_VVI more_DAR electricity_NN1 from_II its_APPGE 10_MC steam_NN1 engines_NN2 ,_, driving_VVG giant_JJ dynamos_NN2 ,_, than_CSN any_DD power_NN1 plant_NN1 yet_RR built_VVN ._. 
