The Sun.
London, England, 1850-03-26 00:00:00

INSTITUTION OF CIVIL ENGINEERS.

On Tuesday, March 19, William Cubitt, Esq.,
President, in the chair, the discusNion on Mr. W.
Fairbairn's paper, " On Tabular Girder Bridges,"
was renewed, and continued through the evening.

The subject was resumed at the point where it was
left on the last discussion of March 12th ; and Messrs.
Wild, Pole, Rennie, Scott Russell, Eaton 11odgkinson,
Walker, Glynn, Bidder, Professor Willis, General
Pasley, and Captain Simmons, R.E., examined the
question at great length, and under all views, illus-
trating their position by diagrams and models used
in the experiments and in the mathematical inns-
tigation.
It was stated, that after the remarks made at the
last meeting, it was merely requisite to describe the
experiments alluded to, and before doing so, to briefly
describe their object.
In the report of the Government Inspector, the
limiting strain required for the public safety was de.
fined, and the Torksey-bridge had been condemned
for not complying with those conditions. A. calcula-
tion, therefore, had been made to ascertain the actual
strain on the bridge. It appeared, however, that it
was really less than the limit prescribed by the Govern-
ment Inspector. The experiments instituted were for
the purpose of testing these contrary results. It was
also stated, that in the paper there were many
objectionable points, but particularly one that was
positively dangerous.
The author had not only omitted the effect of the
continuity of the Torksey girders, but stated that it
was safer to do so. Now all writers upon the sub-
ject, and all who had considered the matter, agreed
that in a continuous beam the effect of continuity was
most important, and that in a perfectly continuous
beam, the strain over the supports was even greater
than elsewhere. It was therefore submitted that this
was not the part, the consideration of which it could
be " safer to omit."

The form taken by a continuous beam, when uni-
formly loaded, was convex over the supports, and
concave between the points at which the convexity
ended ; at these points of contrary flexure, the hori-
sontal strains were null, and the beam might then
be severed, without altering its condition. The
virtual length of the beam, in the Torksey Bridge
was determined by the distance between the exterior
support and the point of contrary flexure ; and it was
to determine this point practically that the experi-
ments were instituted. It was shown that this point
was 21i feet from the centre support, and that bailee
the length of the beam was reduced from 130 feet
to 108 i feet.
The compressive strain upon a girder of this length,
loaded as prescribed, was 4i tons per inch, being
less than the limit defined. Consequently, it was
asserted that the railway company to whom this bridge
belonged had been deprived of its use, not in conse-
quence of any omission on the part of their engineer,
but in consequence of the inability of the Govern-
ment authorities to appreciate the strength that had
been provided.
In reference to the application of formula to the
calculation of the strength of the girders, it was con-
sidered desirable, in such an important case, not
merely to form a general approximate notion f the
strength of the bridge, but to ascertain, with all
possible exactness, the nature and amount of the
strains to which the structure was exposed ; and this
could only be done by using a comprehensive process
of calculation, which should embrace all the elements
affecting the strength of the bridge.
The effect of the continuity of the girders over the
two openings, was carefully considered, and the
nature of its effect upon the strain was explained, as
deduced from the application of the most modern
mathematical investigations, and it was demonstrated
that the strength of the beam was thereby augmented
above one-third.

It was then shown, how the rules for estimating
the strength of elastic beams, were rendered applic-
able to the case of the Torksey bridge, and the results
proved that when the bridge was weighted with the
load prescribed by the Government authorities as a
test for its strength, the strains of compression and
extension were only one-half of what competent autho-
rities bad stated might be safely applied.
The diagrams exhibited showed the results of ma-
thematical calculation, as applied to the Torksey-
bridge girders, and the remarkable coincidence of
these, with experimental results obtained by other
investigators in an entirely different manner, was
insisted on, as a proof of the correctness of the con-
clusions arrived at.

It was stated, i_ due to
nreplyvetoloc), that the result of
aitr,emark uponretshuein-
creased deflection
the experiments tried by the " Cast-Iron Bridge
Commission," proved that " this increase was wholly
insignificant in beams of the length and stiffness of
those of the Torksey-bridge.
The discussion was summed up by its being stated,
that, with one exception, all those who had spoken
during both evenings, agreed that the formula given
in the paper was empirical and not trustworthy ; that
the effects of percussion and increased velocity were
practically only shadowy visions ; and as it was ad-
mitted, that in the calculations of the Government
Inspector, the effect of continuity was neglected, and
as it had he?n proved, that the strain was less on the
bridge than that assigned as requisite for the public
safety, and that it was, in fact, amply strong, it was
.evident, that the public had been wrongfully de- .

prived of the use of this bridge, and the company had
been prohibited from gaining the just return for the
capital invested, in consequence of an incomplete
investigation, and the assumption of untenable formulae.
The papers announced to be read at the meeting of
Tuesday, March 26th, were " Description of the
Chapple Viaduct, on the Colchester and Stour Valley
Extension of the Eastern Counties Railway," by Mr.
Peter Bruff, Assoc. Inst. C. E.; and " On the Ma-
nufacture of Iron, with Experiments on the Strength
of Railway Axles," by Mr. G. B. Thorneycroft,
Assoc. Inst. C. E.

RAILWAY INTELLIGENCE.
CALEDONIAN.

The directors have issued the report they intend to
present to the half-yearly meeting of shareholders in
London, on Thutlday next, to the following effect :
" The first step of the present board, on taking office
in London, was to require a statement of the bills then
felling due, and the cash balance in hand. The return
showed a list of bills either overdue, or falling due
within a fortnight, of 74,000/., while the treasury
was absolutely and literally empty, and there were
arrears due fir coke, maintenance of way, rates
and taxes. No provision whatever had been made
for the accruing interest on debentures, nor the
rents or dividends en the leased lines, lon, since de-
manded, and land claims still remained unsettled, for one
of which engines had been seized in execution, a few
hours before the change of directors took place. The
members of the new board had singly, but unanimously,
and upon mature consideration, resolved net to grant or
renew any bills without taking the best legal opinion,
and though they regretted the inconvenience that would
accrue to the holders, they saw that, independently of
personal responsibility, it was not by the expedient of
perpetual renewals that the difficulties of the
company could be wet. The opinion of eminent coun-
sel, both in England and Scotland, completely justified
the resolution come to, and the directors, on receiving
that opinion, issued a circular to the creditors, explain.
ing that while there was not the slightest intention of
disputing the just debts of the company, but, on the con-
trary, a firm determination to apply all the available funds
to that purpose, the practice of giving bills, as being both
dangerous and detrimental, should not be cote inued. This
decision was not, of course, without its difficulties, as it at
once brought matters to a crisis; but your directors felt
that it was only by some bold and comprehensive scheme,
not by little and temporary expedients, that they conld
hope to extricate the company from its unparalleled diffi-
culties. Though pressed by irresistible claims, such as
were never perhaps paid out of revenue before, the
board passed a minute appropriating a weekly
sum especially to debenture interest, and have
regularly paid that sum into the Bank of England
to ensure its punctual payment. The revenue
accruing for the last half year, upon a gross receipt of
159,5021. Os. 2d., or an average of 6,134/. 14m. per week,
shows an actual deficiency (after paying interest on
debentures and floating debt, but without any pay-
ment whatever to the leased lines) of i,423/. 14s. 10id.
This, however, is partly owing to the improper
payment of a dividend on the preference shares,
and a sum paid to the Scottish Central Railway,
as also to other sums strictly chargeable to
the previous half-year ; yet allowing for these
irregularities, there would still have remained only
31,6041. to meet 66,381/. of guaranteed or preferential
claime. If this were assumed to be a criterion of the com-
pany's future prospects, it is evident that the guaranteed
lines would have little to hope for; but your directors
believe that, by the introduction of the strictest economy,
and by devoting their whole energies to the develop.
ment of traffic, they could pay a very fair, though, of
course, a reduced rate of dividend to all. It is but just
and reasonable, however, that the Caldonian board
should have the inducement of some hope at least of a
return upon the ordinary stack of the company ; and
your directors feel sure that, when the real state of affairs
is known, a re-arrangement of liabilities, in the interest
of all parties, and under Parliamentary santion, will be
agreed to."
As respect the guaranteed lines, the directors state
their conclusions as follows:

" Upon a careful review of all the circumstances, and
considering the fair right of the Caldonian shareholders
to some little interest in their own property, while still
conceding to the leased lines rates of profit far above what
they actually earn, the directors think that a modifica-
tion of the guarantees, conformably to the ascertained
resources of the Caledonian Company, would best con-
sult the interest of all parties. They believe, however,
that the time has not yet arrived when the shareholders
in the leased lines will listen to reasonable terms.
If such an arrangement be not come to, the
completion of the line must be prevented ; and the
large amount of goods now lying without suf-
ficient shelter at Glasgow must centinue exposed to
damage, the expense of which would fall upon the
guaranteed lines, causing them a loss far greater than
the sum required to complete the goods stations, and to
enable the Caledonian to sustain the dangerous competi-
tion which awaits it from the opening of the Nithsdaie
line in the autumn. But, further than this. the ruin of the
Caledonian Company will draw after it the ruin of those
leased lines, which are nearly worthless in themselves,
but whose shareholders, grasping at the shadow of an
impossible dividend, may sacrifice a fair return on their
capital, or rather their capital itself."
With regard to Bills in Parliament—
" The directors intend to petitio❑ Parliament for an
inquiry into the present state of the Cal.ed nion Com-
pany, with reference to the various Acts affecting it, and
imposing liabilities beyond the power of the es,mpany to
meet, and the circumstances under which such Acts
were obtained; and, further, to pray that such
petition be re ferred to a Select Committee of the
House, with instructions to report thereon, and
that all Bills affecting the Caledonian Company
may be deferred until the Committee shall have reported
upon the petition, when it shall be lawful for the peti-
tioners to bring in a Bill i❑ conformity with such report,
for amending and explaining the various Acts affecting
Vie company. The Caledonian interest is at present
without an advocate in Parliament, but any independent
Member appealed to by a shareholder would probably
promote inquiry upon grounds of public interest and
justice."
Under the head " Traffic," the report suggests
that—

" The Caledonian shareholders, as a body, are pro-
bably not aware that, although the total expenditure on
the line has been 21,1651. per mile over and above the
16,50u1. per mile, which Mr. Locke, the engineer, con-
siders to have been expended in the actual formation of
the permanent way and the cost of the rails, the line i
still; in many essential respects, unfinished, and in a
state that absolutely requires further outlay."
The directors conclude by a summary of their
" future policy and prospects ,
" The directors, satisfied by their own experience of
the work to be done, that frequent board meetings are
necessary, have recommended an increase of one direc-
tor to the present number. In doing so, they have
kept in mind the fact, that the ordinary stock being
herd chiefly in England, it is desirable to select an
English director, and without an increased number it
would be difficult to secure attendance. It will, there-
fore, be for the shareholders to decide on the question of
increasing the number of directors, as well es of the
choice of a new one. It would be an advantage in refer-
ence to the attempts made by other companies to
extort further guarantees, if the Caledonian board were
represented in Parliament, provided a director otherwise
qualified could be found. Residence in the North of
England would also be a recommendation, but above
all it is desirable that the new director shall not be a
shareholder in the leased lines. Mr. Potter having lately
resigned, the board, in conformity with a promise to the
preferential shareholders, have elected Mr. Wheeler,
who was put forward by that interest. The directors
regret that a combination adverse to the interests of the
Caledonian shareholders has forced upon the board the
expense of issuing proxies; but it is above all things a
duty which they owe to their constituents to prevent, by
every po,sible means, the attempt now making to deprive
the original shareholders of all interest in their pro-
perty. To speak, in conclusion, of the future prospects
of the company is no pleasing task to your directors,
and they can only state that, in the present position of
affairs, all depends upon a reduction of the guarantees
so recklessly given. If that reduction be made, the di-
rectors can yet see hope for all parties; if not, thero
only remains endless litigation and certain ruin as the
necessary result of the former policy and management,
which has had no parallel in railway history."
As regards the auditing of the accounts, the di-
rectors append to their report the following note :
"From the great increase in the number of returns
required, and the interruptions caused by the committee'
of investigation, and the change of directors, it has been
found impossible to audit the accounts in a proper man-
ner in time for the directors' report; the auditor will
therefore report to the shareholders when he is prepared
to do so.
" GENERAL BALANCE MEET AT DEC. 31, 1849,
To receipts, as per statement......... £4,720,064 9 3
Suspense account, 217/. 56. Bd.; bills
payable, 335,432/. 13s. 7d; sun-
dry debts due by the company,
192,293/. 17s. 7ich; due to bank-
ers, 168,4951. 16s. 11id.; balance
of revenue account (at 30th June,
Cr. 14,0141. 6s. Oid.; do., at Dec.
31, Dr., 5,4231. 14s. 104 d.) 8,5901.
118. 2d. 705,030 4 11

£5,425,094 14 2i

By expenditure as per statement ... .£5,326,143 11 7i
Sundry debts due to the company,
73 736/. 165.5-1-d.; due by bankers,
1,1051. 15s. Id.; amount of store
account, 24...041. I Is. Id.

X 5.425,091. 14 22
Under the "Loan Capital Account," the sum bor-
rowed is stated to he, 1,292 2321. 18s. 7d.

ANTIDOTE TO ARSENIC.— Last week, rather
narrow escape from poisoning occurred at Sibster, near
Wick, in the case of two girls who bad partaken largely
of a cake baked with arsenic instead of carbonate of
soda. The circumstances are these :—One of the girls,
named Mary Campbell, a servant in the house of Sibster,
had sent to town for soda, in order to have it baked in a
cake, and on receiving the same, placed it in a press
where a paper containing arsenic had previously been
laid. The discovery of the error was only made by the
violent vomitings which followed the eating of the poi-
sonous substance. Dr. Sinclair was speedily called in,
when ho administered an antidote named " Hydrated
Peroxide of Iron," which he happened to have beside
him for the last five years, and now called into use, for
the first time in that gentleman's practice. It was corn-
pletely sucessful, and both girls are recorriug.—Jokri
0' Groat Journal.