The Sun.
London, England, 1846-02-16 00:00:00

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; and being of similar width, estimated to sot 35,000/. ;, r r
suspension-bridge of iron, not exceeding 35 feet in width. _
(being that of the bridge at Hammersmith), the execution of ,
which he considered to be practicable at from 5',000/. to
50,000/.—contingenties in each included.
Your Majesty's Commissioners were of opini !that, is
principle, a suspension-bridge presented the molt eligible t
mode of crossing the river, as admitting, from thithinness
of its floor, of a better headway to the•traffic on the river,
in conjunction with an easier inclination of the roadway, r-
above; and as involving the smallest practical diminution of
the navigable channel. Assuming each of the proposed
bridges to have the same height and inclination of roadway,
the greatest attainable elevation above high water, with a
structure of brick, was stated to be 18 feet, with a bridge of
timber, 20 feet ; and with' a suspension-bridge, 21 feet.
Having regard, however, to the possible requirements of the
traffic, both by land and water, your Majesty's Commis-
missioners instructed Mr. Page to revise his estimates, sub-
ject to certain conditions given to him for his guidance; and
from the result it appears, that allowing 24 feet 9 inches fur
the headway above high water, and 40 feet for the width of
the road and footways between the respective shores, such a
bridge may be constructed at an expense not exceeding is
the whole the sum of 60,000/.
Your Majesty's Curnmissioners thought it their ditty,
nevertheless, to inform themselves whether there were any
application of the principle of suspension, differing from
the mode which prevails in the construction of such bridges
in this kingdom, which could be resorted to with less ex-
pense, and with a prospect of equal durability, and the
adoption of which would be justified by the existence of
known and approved examples in other countries; and if
se, what would be the probable cost of such a structure in
the present case, as compared with a suspension-bridge
similar to that at Hammersmith. For this purpose they
referred, as will be seen from the evidence, to Mr. William
Tierney Clark, the civil engineer employed in the construc-
tion of that bridge, and extensively acquainted with
similar operatioa in foreign countries. From the report of
Mr. Clark, it appears that he is not aware of any modifica-
tion of the principle of 'suspension as at present applied is
this kingdom, the adoption of which he would deem advisa-
ble in the present instance; and that he estimates the pro-
bable cost of a bridge upon the ordinary principle, over a
water way of 750 feet, at Battersea, in width not less than
35 feet, and in the centre 23 feet above high water (Trinity
datum), at about 45,000!. Looking to this testimony, there-
tfoor)e,,,,hiinccohnjunction with that of Mr. Bird (already referred
probably includes a sum for expenses beyond
the outlay upon the structure only, the sum of 60,000!, the
amount of Mr. Page's estimate, may be taken as the pro-
bable outside cost of a communication across the river,
amply sufficient for all the possible requirements for this
locality.
Any estimate of the probable return for this expenditure,
your kajesty's Commissioners are aware, must at the present.
moment be conjectural ; and it must be admitted that expe-
rience in the case of such of the bridges connected with the
metropolis as are at present dependent upon tolls, is not en-
couraging to speculations of this nature; but looking to the
populous districts to be found on either side of the river be-
tween Battersea and Vauxhall-bridges, and to the fact that
the present means of communication between them are at
least two miles asunder, and considering that both the above
bridges are toll •bridges, a circumstance constituting a very
important difference between the present case and that of
the metropolitan bridges, your Majesty's Commissioners are
disposed to rely upon the calculations to be found in the evi-
dence appended to this report, which exhibit a probable re-
ceipt from the tolls of 6,000 L a year, 'and a consequent return
of nor. less than 10 per cent. upcn the whole expenditure,
It appears, therefore, to your Majesty's Commissioners that
assuming a bridge to be constructed over the river at Chel-
sea, in immediate connexion with the proposed embankment
of the river on its northern shore, rnd with the site referred
to in the evidence laid before this Commission by Mr. Penne-
thorne, the project of a park at Battersea is one, in a finan-
cial point of view alone, well deserving the attention of your
Majesty's Government.
The Commissioners feel, moreover, that while the inha-
bitants of the rich districts on the west and south-west of
London possess the advantages of the older parks—Hyde-
park, the Green-park, and ,St. James's-park—largely im-
proved and opened as they have been in later years; while
the inhabitants of the northern district, the borough of
Marylebone, have within the last quarter of a century
been provided with the vast field for recreation and health
which the Regent's-park supplies; and while the eastern
districts of London have now the prospect of similar enjoy-
ment in the Victoria-park, the south of London has never
possessed such means and area of exercise and pleasure. The
whole, or at least the western part of Southwark, and the
whole of Lambeth, may be considered as likely to benefit by
the formation of a park on the south or right bank of the
river, in the position of Battersea• fields, while the erection
of a bridge on the site proposed would extend the advan-
tage to a large population on the northern or Mid-
dlesex shore of the river. The comforts thus opened
to the vast and crowded masses of the metropolis would,
by the great highway of the river, be made available
to them in the cheapest, easiest and quickest mode
by steam navigation, or very conveniently by land convey-
ance along the terraces. It is no little recommendation of
this scheme, in the eyes of your Majesty's Commissioners,
that the realisation of this project would put am end ,to the
scenes of demoralisation which the existing almost lawless
state of the locality presents daily, and chiefly on Sundays.
This consideration is strengthened by the feeling.that the
places now disgraced by every kind of profligacy may hence-
forth be made a scene of happy and healthy enjoyment to
large masses of your Majesty's subjects, now for weeks to-
gether pent up in the close alleys of this metropolis ; and
your Majesty's Commissioners feel more anxious to impress
at this time the importance of the plan proposed upon your
Majesty's Government, inasmuch as every year's delay is
likely to add materially to the expense of effecting it, by the
increased value which every acre of land in the environs of
London is constantly acquiring by the gradual extension of
its limits. On these various grounds, therefore, the Co-
mmissioners arc disposed to recommend to the early and fa- .
vourable consideration of your Majesty, subject to the con-
ditions herein detailed, the plan for a park on the present
site of Battersea-fields, in connexion with a bridge over the
Thames in the same locality, and with the embankment of
the northern shore of the river, which forms the subject of
their second report.
(Signed) LINCOLN, and the other Commissioners.
Whitehall-place, July 23, 1845.

PRICE sr.

GIBRALTAR.
TO THE EDITOR OF THE SUN.

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