The Liverpool Standard and General Commercial Advertiser.
Liverpool, Merseyside, England, 1849-06-26 00:00:00

FLOATING OF THE FIRST GREAT TUBE
OF THE BRITANNIA BRIDGE.
(From our own Correspondent.)
The extraordinary mechanical feat, on Wednesday night,
of floating from the shore the first great tube, and depo-
siting it in its position pro tempore between two of the
towers near their bases, prior to its being hoisted into its
destined resting place nearer the top, will long be remem-
bered by the thousands who witnessed it, and perpetuated
in the annals of events within the interesting locality of
the Menai Straits. The success of the enterprise—which
was doubted by many—sets at rest all apprehension as to
the final completion and security of, assuredly, the most
daring and difficult achievement yet recorded in the annals
of engineering.
The huge, and apparently unwieldy, tube was got afloat
on the pontoons from the spot where it was built, bn the
Carnarvonshire shore, at twenty minutes before eight
o'clock ; it was guided to its position by means of hawsers,
attached to large capstans, each worked by a sufficient
number of men, under an able superintendent, the whole
under the command of Captain Claxton, R N., assisted
by Mr. Stephenson. The orders, in the critical move-
ment, were signalled to those employed from the top of
the tube, and not the slightest mistake was made to cause
confusion. or mar the progress of the operation. At
about half-past nine o'clock—little more than an hour
and a half from the time of floating—the tube had not
only been got across the straits, hut was announced to be at
its resting place between the two towers, on the Anglesey
side. A signal was given that all was safe and secure, and
a shout, long and laud, was raised by the multitudes
around, which roused the echoes amongst the hills on
both the romantic shores of the estuary. The eastern end
of the tube was was first inserted into the vertical recess
of the Britannia tower, formed for its reception, and the
down-coming tide from the northward floated the otherend
into its place into a similar recess in the Anglesey tower, a
portion of the lower mason-work being there omitted for
its reception, to the width of 8 feet, and the height of 28
feet, to admit of its entrance, by what is called " gorbel-
ling," or gathering, resembling at the ton an inverted'
stair of four large steps. This forms, as it were, an ap-
parent undermining of the tower at each of the interior
angles, and it seems almost wonderful that the massive
superincumhent masonry is supported over such an ex-
cavation ; but the huge stones, of great length and thick-
ness, are so handed together that a near inspection re-
moves all doubt as to security. When the tube is hoisted
to its proper scite up the towers, this omission in the
stone-work will, of course, be made good. In placing
the tube, 100 sailors and 700 other workmen were em-
ployed. As soon as the tube wasfdeposited, the pontoons
were got from under it with the greatest despatch, and in
the most seaman-like manner.
Such was the enthusiasm excited by the safe deposit of
the tube, and the conquering of numerous contingencies,
that the cheering was prolonged almost continuously un-
til nearly midnight, amongst the spectators and work-
men, and that it was loud may be inferred from the fact
that, so nearly as could be calculated, there were at and
about the works afloat, or on shore, not fewer than
ten thousand individuals, notwithstanding the lateness of
the hour. The tube, as now seen, presents a handsome
rather than, as was anticipated by some, a dull and wall-
like appearance. The external T iron ribs divide it per-
pendicularly :nto long narrow panels, and the bottom and
top plating, which runs horizontal, like a ribbon, with
projecting edges, forms a neat beaded finish. Besides,
the immense span or stretch of the tube gives it a light
and slender effect, which will be enhanced when it is ele-
vated to its height—more than half that of the lofty
towers. It is at present painted of a buff colour. The
hoisting, ponderous as the body is, will be a work of ease
compared with the floating. This will be accomplished
by means of powerful hydraulic engines, worked by steam,
at the top of the towers, and these will be prepared for
operation in about three weeks. It is highly creditable
to the head engineer, on the score of accuracy of calcula-
tion, that the tube, which was built in the form of a gentle
segment upwards—nine inches rise being allowed in the
middle—to meet expected slight deflection, is now, when
resting on its ends, on shelvings (respectively) of only six
feet, and without any support in the middle but its own
strength, is as straight as an arrow at the bottom, as in-
tended. The tubes are a little deeper (or higher) at the
extremities resting on the Britannia rock, so that when
the bridge is completed, the top of the iron-work will
form a very slightly-raised arch,—the bottom, throughout
the whole immense span over the straights, being quite
level for the double lines of rails.
The second tube is nearly finished, and will be floated
to its place in four or five weeks. It will be placed on
the Carnarvonshire side, in continuation of that now so far
fixed, so that in a short time one line of rail will he avail-
able, which will supersede the delay of transmitting pas
sengers by omnibus from Bangor to Llanfair, in Anglesea,
by way of the Chain Bridge. It is expected that the Bri-
tannia Bridge will, should the weather be favourable, be
completed towards the end of the present
year. Then
will be fully opened out the most interesting line of rail-
way in the kingdom. whether as regards the great works
connected with its formation, or the magnificent and ro-
mantic views presented to passengers throughout almost
at every point.
INTERESTING CEREMONY OP LAYING THE LAST STONE
OP THE BRITANNIA TOWER.
Friday was the day appointed for depositing of the last
stone of the Britannia Tower, for the reception of which
a space apparently small, as seen from the shore, was left
in the top tier on the northward side. Mr. Stephenson,
the head engineer cf the works, was appointed as the prin-
cipal on this work, and the occasion excited much interest
amongst many hundreds of visitors and the multitudinous
workmen on the Carnarvonshire side of the straits, espe-
cially as this was the first occasion, after the safe placing
of the first great tube, upon which he and the other gen-
tlern.-n connected with the works, had had an opportunity
of expressing their sentiments of the successful progress
so far made.
About one o'clock, a number of boats containing a
goodly company put off for the Rock, in the face of a
strong down-going tide. There was some difficulty and
danger in effecting a debarkation on the platform at the
bottom of the tower, from which rises the wooden frame-
work which yet surrounds the building to its summit. No
accident, however occurred in this transit, and amongst
those present was a considerable sprinkling of ladies. A
still more arduous adventure nad yet to be encountered—
the ascent to the top of the tower by a succession of steep
and long ladders, without a rope or rail. This, too, was
accomplished by nearly the whole company, including
two of the ladies, daughters of Mr, Nowell, one of the
contractor. There was considerable puffing and blowing
amongst the inexpert, for the height to be attained was
much above 200 feet. A number of flags were displayed
from the top.
The top of the tower is floored over with immense flat
blocks of stone—an opening being left for ingress and
egress resembling the hatch of a vessel. The floor is sur-
rounded on each of the four sides by a strong wall of
nearly six feet in height, forming the finish of the tower,
with an over-flanching cornice. From the summit or top
of the quadrangular stone work (which forms a level walk
of upwards of seven feet wide) a fine panoramic view of
the surrounding country is obtained. A hamper of
champagne was taken up to wet the stone (which was
ready slung for depositing), and to regale the company.
All being prepared, and the mortar spread by Mr. Jas.
Hemingway, of the masonry department, Mr. Stephenson
did the needful with a handsome silver trowel, presented
to him by Messrs. Nowell and Co., contractors for the stone
work. The trowel bore no inscription, as is usual in such
cases, it being considered by the donors that the adhering
mortar would convey a more expressive emblem of the so-
lidity of the work than any eulogistic device. The stone
(which was about five tons weight) being fitted into its
place, and adjusted,
Mr. STEPHENSON (surrounded by the whole staff) said
it had fallen to him as a pleasing duty to lay the last stone
on the excellent and gigantic work which had been reared
by the joint efforts of those around him. He sincerely
thanked them for those exertions which had brought it to
so successful an issue. No one at first believed it possible
that so vast a body of masonry could have been constructed
within so short a period. The directors of the railway had
spared no expense, wisely judging that early liberality was
final economy. (Cheers.) Not less than two millions
and a half of cubic feet of masonry had been constructed,
though three years had not elapsed since the laying of the
first stone. The height of the work averaged 100 feet,
and the tower upon which they stood peered above the
waters 245 feet, being higher than the cross on the sum-
mit of St. Paul's Cathedral. The work had gone quietly
on with such perseverance that three cubic feet had been
accomplished per minute since the commencement, allow-
ing twelve working hours to the day, and six working
days in the week. The contractors were also entitled to
much praise ; and he was happy to say that their efforts
had not only been successful but profitable to themselves.
If there were any one circumstance more gratifying than
another, it was that from the beginning to the conclusion
of this gigantic undertaking no life had been lost—though
there had been some slipping from the lofty scaffolding,—
but no life had been sacrificed, as was too often the case,
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Messrs. Nowell, Hemingway, and Simpson, which was
rtritierdeeihanks, and proposed the
health of Mr. Stephenson, which was responded to by
hearty cheers from the top of the tower, and thence taken
up by the sailors in the boats, and, from them, by the
workmen lining the shore on either side the tubes and
platforms.
Mr. STEPHENSON, in returning thanks, said that from
the able assistance he had received it would be hard if the
work had not succeeded; but the merit was not with him
beyond the design and the office routine, but was due to
the contractors, and their foremen and workmen.
Captain CLAXTON, R.N., begged leave to propose the
health of the resident engineer, Mr. Foster, whom he
must take the liberty of separating for the time from Mr.
Stephenson. The popularity of that gentleman was equal
to his ability, and he was sure lie had but to mention his
name. Might he live a thousand years ! (The toast was
received with cheers that made the welkin ring.)
Mr. FOSTER said that were lie permitted to attain such
longevity, he could not witness the completion of a greater
work than this. He wished the proposer of the toast all
possible success, whether he were engaged in giving his
valuable services to such a work as the Britannia Bridge,
or in building or navigating a seventy-four. ',Cheers.)
Mr. STEPHENSON said there were many thdfe more
capable of judging than himself of the arduous duties Cap-
tain Claxton had performed in bringing the first monster
tube to its position from the place of its construction,—
a task beset with the greatest difficulty, and requiring a
combination of skill, energy, and nerve. Several difficul-
ties (unforeseen) arose, notwithstanding all the provisions
so long made. He had watched every movement of his
gallant friend in overcoming them, and could riot say too
much in praise of the rapid and masterly manner, or of the