Vulcan's dimensions

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Elevation of Vulcan from the Historic American Engineering Record

Vulcan's dimensions, the specific size and weight of the Vulcan statue and its pedestal, have been reported variously. This is an account of those published figures.

1903

A 1903 article in American Blacksmith magazine gave the following information:

  • overall height: 56 feet
  • overall weight: 100,000 pounds
  • weight of head: 15,000 pounds
  • length of feet: 6 feet
  • number of pieces: 15
  • height of head: 7 1/2 feet
  • circumference of neck: 11 feet, 6 inches
  • circumference of chest: 22 3/4 feet
  • width across shoulders: 10 feet
  • length of arms: 10 feet
  • circumference of waist: 18 feet, 3 inches
  • diameter of calves: 4 feet, 3 inches
  • diameter of ankles: 2 1/2 feet
  • weight of spear head: 250 pounds
  • weight of hammer: 300 pounds
  • weight of anvil: 6,000 pounds

1936

Drawings by Warren, Knight & Davis for the pedestal at Vulcan Park show the following dimensions:

  • height of tower from ground to base of statue: 123'-6"
  • height of statue from base to top of head: 42'-6" approx.

1996

Richard K. Anderson, Jr created drawings of the statue and pedestal for the Historic American Engineering Record in 1996. They were based on Warren, Knight & Davis' construction drawing and photographs. He gives the following dimensions:

  • height of tower base (demolished in 1969): 14'-7 1/2"
  • height of tower from ground to balcony: 97'-6"
  • height of tower from ground to base of statue: 123'-6"
  • height of statue from base to top of head: 43'-7"
  • height of statue from base to tip of spear: 53'-3"
  • height of statue from ground to tip of spear: 176'-9"±2"
  • length/width of octagonal tower cap at base of statue: 18'-2"
  • length/width of octagonal tower at balcony: 18'-8"
  • width of balcony: 3'-10"
  • length/width of octagonal tower base (demolished in 1969): 48'-0"

2004

Technicians from Robinson Iron thoroughly documented the statue as it was received by them for repair and conservation. The following figures are taken from their report to the APT Bulletin: Journal of Preservation Technology:

  • number of components: 29
  • weight of head: 11,000 pounds
  • total weight of castings: 102,605 pounds
  • weight of new steel armature: 40,325 pounds
Vulcan
 Giuseppe Moretti · Vulcan Park Foundation · Vulcan's Prophecy  · V... The Statue
Details  Vulcan's dimensions  · Vulcan's torch
Events  Vulcan Dedication Celebration · Vulcans on Parade
 Locations   Alabama Mineral Exhibit ·Alabama State Fairgrounds · Vulcan Park