Martinsburg gazette. [volume] (Martinsburg, Va. [W. Va.]) 1833-1855, 1838-09-19
From the Richmond Compiler of September 4
RICHMoND-THE ONWARD MARCH.

bring US comfort, convenience and des
patch, with wealth and prosperity, are
going ahead. We have to notice the
completion ofthe Petersburg and Rich
mond road, with its noble bridge from
Manchester across the james River tc
Richmond, and also the opening of a
new road, diverging from the Rich
mond and Fredericksburg road, TO the
Deep Run coal pits.
The cars on the Petersburg and
Richmond road, which have been ira
versing it to Manchester, regularly
since the LIST of June, will travel the
whole length, crossing the bridge some
time the ensuing week, to the capacious
and fine Depot near the basin, which
is nearly finished. The whole length
| Of the road is 225 miles, which will be
run in II hours. The Enquirer Of
yesterday, saves us the labor OF wri-
ting description ofthe bridge which
we had allotted for yesterday. 1t says !:
-" 1t is impossible to speak of this
splendid Bridge, in terms that are cal
culated TO do justice to our feelings
We walked over it yesterday morning
and struck as we had been, at dis
lance, by this imposing edifce, our as
constituent and delight were augmen-
ted by more familiar observation of
the magnitude of the work and the
beauty Of the execution. 1t forms not
only an ornament to our city, but It
does honor to Virginia. There is no
edifce like it in all America. 1t is
ASST feet long, from the abutment on
the Manchester side to the one on the
Richmond side. The terraced bank
on the Manchester side, which con-
meets it with the heights, is $50 feet
more. The Bridge is GIL feet above
the low water mark of the river, and
% feet wide-with a double rail on
the top OF it. 1t stands on IL immense
piers OF granite, which was fortunately
so convenient to the architect--and
over the piers, is chain of double lat
tice work III feet from outside to
outside, and 16 feet high, resting on
the piers. These sides are formed OF
plank, 3 by IL inches, crossing each
other about 3 feet apart, and forming
diamond shaped openings. At each
intersection, they are firmly pinned
with oak pins two inches in diameter.
These sides are secured from the wea-
Their by closely weather-boarding.-
Upon these the flooring rests, which is
Dol feet wide. This floor is made to
raise in curve from the outer edges
of the floor to its centre, IN order to
cast off the water. The whole is coa-
ted with pitch and sand, making it
both fire and water proof. A hand-
railing is placed upon the outer edges
Of the floor for the whole length. The
whole bridge is well braced, horizontal
ly and transeversely.
"Many questions have been asked
What precautions are taken against
the effects of wind, Of fire and decay
The first is effectually guarded against
by the mass of rock-work carried up
and fitted closely between the sides of
the bridge, at the top OF the piers.
This work is composed Of stone weigh
ing upwards of a ton and half each,
closely notched into each other, and
Joined with iron bands. The lateral
bracing will also effectually aid in pre-
venting the effect from wind or other
forces. In addition to the security
against fire by covering the floor with
a composition, there will be $50 buck
cts hung upon the hand-railing OF the
passage Immediately under the floor OF
the bridge, and kept constantly filled
from the City Water Works. A guard
will constantly be kept to pass over
the bridge before and after the passage
of the trains. For further security
there is 10 be a gate at each end OF the
bridge, to exclude travel at all times
except when the train of cars passes'
or by special permission.
uThe main timber will be as little
subject to decay as those of an ordIna-
nv frame house, the water being ex-
cluded by the flooring acting as
roof. and the withdrawing of the
sides.
"The two tracks upon the flooring
will have guard-rails parallel, and Tai-
.ed somewhat higher than the ordinary
rails, to prevent the Locomotive Engine
or Cars from being thrown out OF the
tracks. ., m
"The whole cost of this bridge will
be about $4,000.
"The whole road and the bridge are
under the auspices and superintendent
If Moncure Robinson, Esq, native,
Virginia born, Engineer, aided by Chas;
O. Sanford, Esq, an enterprlzlng ana
accomplished gentleman in his probes
sion.-Its rock-work was executed by