The Hindu 06.05.2013
Derelict Schmidt memorial all set for restoration work
The restoration of the KAJ Schmidt Memorial on Elliot’s
Beach, which commemorates the gallantry of the Dutch sailor who died
while trying to save a girl from drowning, has begun.
Soil
testing work is going on. In March, the Chennai Corporation had
announced that it would take steps to restore the structure. The
restoration work in expected to be completed by August.
“Professors
SR Gandhi, and Arun Menon of Department of Civil Engineering, Indian
Institute of Technology-Madras have sent a detailed report with
recommendations on its restoration,” said T. Satyamurthy,
Founder-Trustee and President, Reach Foundation, who is spearheading the
restoration work.
“There is a problem with the
foundation of the structure. A detailed report on soil testing by
engineers from Geo-Technical Solutions will be prepared, and sent to
IIT-M. Based on the recommendations given by experts from the institute,
work on strengthening the foundation will start,” he noted.
The
crack on top of the structure is also due to the same reason. Once the
foundation is strengthened, the crack will be set right. After the
restoration work, the monument will be barricaded.
The
structure was built by Lieutenant-Colonel Sir George Frederick Stanley,
then Governor of Madras, in honour of the bravery of Schmidt.