Construction
work at
Nantes
Extracted from the OoLaLa
Times Vol. II No III, February 1919
(This is a final summary
of the work done as the regiment was leaving France)
The first construction
by the American E. F. in Nantes was begun about November 22,
1917, when Lieut. J. A. Hubbard, 17th Engineers, (Ry.) was sent
to Nantes to supervise the installation of additional track and
switches on Quia des Antilles
so as to permit the switching of cars on this quia direct
with locomotives and eliminate the French turn-tables. This was necessary
in order to expedite the handling of freight from ships and permit
the use of American freight cars, which were expected shortly from
the United States
Shortly afterward, through the efforts of Colonel
John Stephen Sewell, commanding officer of the 17th Engineers, (Ry.),
authority was secured from the city of Nantes for the double tracking
of the P. & O. Railroad, through the city. This was an improvement
which had been sought for years by the P. & O. Railroad, but
had been strenuously opposed by the city authorities on account of the
narrowness of the streets. The completion of his piece of double
track line, some three miles long, gave the American E. F. a continuous
double track line from St. Nazaire to the front, and though of minor
importance as a piece of construction may be reckoned as one of the
most important improvements made by the Engineering department in the
Base Section
On January 26th, 1918, on account of the increasing importance
of construction work to be done at Nantes, Captain, now Lieutenant
Colonel, W. B. Causey, of the 17th Engineers, was sent to Nantes
to take charge of Engineering operations at this point, reporting
to the Section Engineering Officer at St. Nazaire. He opened a office
in the building occupied by the Genie Francais, and conducted personally
all negotiations with the French railway and Government officials,
covering the various projects which it was desired to execute at Nantes,
handling at the same time the construction work of rail yard and engine
terminals at Saumur, Artillery School at Saumur, Aerial Gunnery School
at St. Jean des Monts, the port of Les Sables d'Olonne, hospital work
at Angers, and the installation of water facilities on the Etat Railroad
between Saumur and La Roche, and the P. & O. Railway between St. Avenay
and Saumur. Colonel Causey remained in charge of construction until
December 22, 1918, when he was relived and assigned to duty with Hoover's
Food Commission, being succeeded by Lieutenant J. A. Hubbard, who in
turn was relieved January 3rd by Major W. F. Hutson. Major Hutson had
previously reported at Nantes to Colonel Causey, August 25th, and had
been in direct charge of work at Nantes from that time until November 21st.
Additional officers stationed at Nantes during the greater part of construction
were Capt. J. M. Montz, Lieut. G. T. Blackford, Lieut. J.M Montz, all
of the 17th Engineers (Ry), and Capt. G. M. Loeb, in charge of hospital
construction; and Lieut. E. J. Condon, in charge of electrical work.
The principal projects undertaken at Nantes were
as follows:
Improvement of the Port Facilities at Isle St Anne. This included
the building of approximately 6.97 miles of track, twelve large warehouses,
and a number of barracks, kitchens, latrines, and wash houses. Of this
work there was completed up to January 1st, 5.77 miles of track, seven
warehouses, with a total storage area of 141,950 sq. ft, sixteen barracks
buildings, a bakery with a capacity of 36,000 loaves of bread per day, and
numerous buildings, such as kitchens, latrines, and wash houses. The track
and warehouse work on Isle of Ste. Anne necessitated grading amount to approximately
100,000 cu. yds., which consisted principally of sand delivered by dredges
from the river.
Usine Brulle. This project contemplated
the construction of three warehouses with storage capacity
of 45,000 sq. ft., and concrete loading platform of 8,800 sq.
ft., and also 7,000 feet of trackage. Project was completed
with exception of 1,000 feet of trackage, which was eliminated. In
addition there was built for use of personnel operating this dock,
a camp of nine barrack buildings, with necessary facilities, including
the laying of about one mile of pipe line to reach the camp from
the city water main.
Ste. Luce Storage Yard. This project, located about
four miles east of Nantes, contemplated the construction of
22.95 miles of track, with 122 switches, 237,788 sq. ft. of covered
storage and 956,450 sq. ft. of open storage. To January 1, 1919,
there had been completed 11.13 miles of track, including 2.75 miles
constructed for our account by the French, seven warehouses, totaling
170,465 sq. ft. of covered storage, and 33 barrack buildings for housing
the personnel, there was also constructed a water system for the
engine terminal, including a 50,000 gallon tank on elevated foundation,
and one 10 inch Sheffield Automatic Stand Pipe supplied by a gasoline
pumping plant. This yard has direct connection with both the P. &
O. and Etat Railroads. All construction work in this yard was canceled
with the exception of one additional warehouse, 50 x 400 ft. and
about 1 mile of track which is now underway.
Hospital Centers.
Grand Seminarie This hospital was
requisitioned from the French, and has a capacity of 11,500
beds. There are built at this hospital 32 barracks and tents erected
for 11,500 additional beds.
Grand Blottereau This hospital was erected
in the grounds of Grand Blottereau Chateau, containing 169
hospital barrack and having a capacity of 3,000 beds with tents
erected for an additional 1,000 beds.
Ste. Joseph Convalescent Camp This camp has 13 buildings,
including mess halls and administrative buildings, and was
contemplated to handle Convalescent Camp in tents, with capacity
of 1,000 beds. It was never used by the Hospital Center but has
been turned into a camp for troops. This camp required the laying
of 5,125 feet of 4-inch cast iron water main.
All the work authorized on these three hospital projects
has been completed, including a Q. M. warehouse, 50x265 feet,
and a laundry and sewage plant at Grand Blottereau.
Other Projects
There has also been built under the direction of the Engineer Department
a camp of five barracks, wash house and kitchen on Isle Gloriette, three
barracks and three warehouses and shop buildings for the salvage department
on Blvd. Nationale, the later having a covered storage of 3,000 sq. ft.;
and one type 'C' warehouse at Pont Rousseau and one at Reze for the billeting
area and latrine facilities in buildings requisitioned or rented from the
French.
