2-888-001 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

The Great Exhibition Building in Hyde Park - Raising the Ribs of the Transept Roof, 1850. 'The extraordinary resources of the contractors of the "Crystal Palace" have had no fitter occasion for their display than in the setting up of the massive circular ribs for the roof of the transept. Prince Albert, on his visit last week, specially witnessed, with great and acknowledged interest, the operation of raising and fixing a pair of them. About three quarters of an hour was occupied ere they were securely deposited in their places. Only two now remain of the whole number forming the transept roof to be lifted from the ground; and they will probably, by the end of the week, be in their appropriate seats. So considerably do they over-span the trees, that visitors have remarked to Mr. Paxton, "Ah! after all, you have had to cut the trees"; whereas, not a single branch has been lopped or displaced'. From "Illustrated London News", 1850.