Wisconsin herald. [volume] (Lancaster, Wis.) 1846-1849, 1848-12-16
REMINGToN,s BRIDGE.


speaking of the bridge constructed by Mr..
REMIYGTos across the Trent, for Earl Tai
bot, says:
This bridge is remarkable tor the length
of IL span, about so feet, aud for the d9-
mensions of the timber used IN its construc-
ton, it will almost appear incredible to our
readers, when we state that the six srrIngers
or beams which support the planks forming
the floor OF the bridge, are but five inches
square at each end and gradually diminish
in size, until at the centre they are only two
and one quarter inches, their length being,
as already intimated, $50 feet. The string
ers are formed of pieces Of oak timber,
each about 30 or % feet long, attached to-
gether by the method technically known as
'.scarfng." The abutments consist of oak
pos.s, six inches square, and 10 feet long,
and five feet in the ground, projecting OUT
ward at a considerable angle, and firmly
clamped together with iron.
" Mr.. Reinington's own language shall be
employed in describing the principle upon
which the bridge is built The great prln-
ciple sought to be proved in this bridge
(says Mr. Il. : is that beam OF timber, OF
whatever size, shape or length, lying hori
zontally, and resting at each extremity on
abutments, is as strong, and will require as
much weight on the top OF II TO break II, as
il would take to break the same piece when
pulled longitudinally in the direction of the
FIBRE We apprehend that Mr.. Rening
toms meaning would he better understood IT
he had said that the principle consists IN the
longitudinal power OF timber being applied
in curviinear form, by which every pOr-
ton of the material is brought at once into
play aud supports an equal share OF the
strain. Instead of springng from the abut
ment al an arch, or resting upon them as
horizontal bridge, the strInger may be said
to hang or be suspended from the piers,
thus bringing the principle Of the Longitude
nal bearing INTO action.
1--WE understand that many practical men
to whom the principle was explained, doub-
ed in the first place It's application To bridge
of this size, but which indeed, Is demonStra-
ted. We have seen several carriages pass
over it, aud have ourselves driven across It.
There is vbratory motion when anything
passes along the bridge, but there is scarcely
any DETECTION and we cannot but express
our own conviction of the complete triumph
Of this novel and most extraordinary system
of bridge building.
The stringers curve gracefully upward
from each abutment, aud then gradually
bend in a curylInear direction downwards 10
the centre of the bridge the lowest point
being twenty-four inches below the level of
the abGtmemts. The curves near the abut-
ments are designed more for beauty than for
strength but we understand they are indls-
pensabe in faulty foundations which Is the
case in the present instance. There is
hand-rall on each side of the bridge, attached
to the floor by trellis work and as the hand
rail is OF considerable strength, and is fixed
to the abutments in the same mode as the
stringers, it adds materially to the security
and solidity of the bridge.
The main advantage OF this description
of bridge is its cheGpness. The cost of the
structure which we are describing Is only
about G200 whereas, Il bridge TO accom-
plIsh the same purpose, built on any other
plan, would have required many thousand
pounds. Another advantage is, that bridge
can be erected in situations where amy other
wooden bridge wouh he mpractca,le. y
third advantage Is, that the span may, as we
are informed, be extended ten times a tar
rs any wooden bridge ever yet constructed /;
and il may he added, that the inventor - OF
opinion that such bridges will be more du-
rahle than those of any other make.
DoUBLE NAMEs.-We are not partial 10
giving children double names, especially in
new country like ours, where a single
name for each child in the family, some
times nearly expends the vocabulary of
proper names. 1t is bad economy. bad taste,
and sometimes productive of Inconvenience.
There is venerable joke about Span
ish Don who knocked al a cottage door one
evening for nights lodging. "Who are
you, aud what do you want?" said the in
mates. "Don Juan, Josi Pedro Antonio,
Alonzo Carlos Germirno, etc., etc, wants to
sleep here tonight" Z" Get along with
YOU" was the reply, "what can we do with
so many fellows,"
The women of Peru, South America,
never nurse their children when angry, for
fear of giving them a choleric temperament.