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Plan and cross-section of the construction
used to install the stone for the base
From Montferrand's book
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On top of the foundation they set a plinth (a massive
slab weighing 410 tonnes) and two more blocks of stone forming the
pedestal. The plinth and blocks were brought from the landing-stage
by the Winter Palace to Palace Square where they were trimmed by masons.
In order to move the plinth to its final location, Montferrand ordered
the building of a sloping wooden structure that ended with a raised
lip. Nine capstans pulled the stone up as far as the lip, where it
turned over and dropped onto sand. Then by repeatedly cutting away
the piles they lowered the plinth. Rollers were used to guide the
stone to the centre of the foundations. For the final installation
the monolith was raised using an arrangement of blocks and capstans
and the rollers replaced with wedges. Then the wedges were replaced
by cement, mixed with vodka and soap on account of the frosts. Sliding
the stone over the cement, they set it on the foundations |
