The evening telegraph. [volume] (Philadelphia [Pa.]) 1864-1918, 1869-10-21
A GREAT WORK.


rom the London STANDARD, Oct. 8.
N The Blackfriars bridge of the future now only
4 Waits final touch to make Is complete, both
structure and q highway. Structuraly, 1t
simply deficient at present in the more orna-
entail part of the northern abutment, the
Uhancs embankment having delayed the erec-
bn of the pilaster at the northwestern angle.
This part of the work, however, is now in hand,
.nd is proceeding rapidly The paving of the
fridge, both in regard to the footway and the
|arriage road is finished, except small portion
l each end The foot pavement on the eastern
I dc will be intercepted at each extremity until
fle traffic on the temporary bridge is stopped
an event which of course cannot be brought
4bout until the new bridge is thrown open To
he public. The painting of the iron work and
Bhe erection of the lamps are the only note
forthy matters as yet unfinished. For all prac-
cal purposes the bridge will be completed in
Prtnight or less from the present time.
| The new bridge stretches across the river
names in five arches, having therefore four
ers and two abutments. The curve of each
lrch is segmental, that is to say, it is part of
be circle, differing, therefore, from the elipti.
al arch, of which a notable example is to be
Iound at Westminster Tho centre arch has a
3pan OF lS5 feet the arch on each side span
rs feet, and the two abutment arches each
|pan OF 155 feet. The centre arch rises TO
Height OF twenty-five feet above high water
park, and the abutment arches seventeen feet.
though the curve of each arch Is part of the
4 ith the entire circumference, that the arches
ave a somewhat fat appearance, presenting the
Utmost contrast to the cavernous water ways OF
I'D Blackfriars bridge, which, although constl-
*lting in each instance q very fine geOmetri-
*al curve, nevertheless failed to produce
bridge possessing any degree of elegance.
Externally the piers of the new bridge are OF
nay granite; internally they arc of brickwork,
flt solid, and Of enormous strength. In the
"a bridge much of the internal space was occu-
led with rubble, whereby the arches were duly
eighted but which in other respects conferred
tile strength on the structure. The great defect
the now defunct bridge was in regard to the
undations. These were not carried to a sutii-
ent depth Hence the scour of the tide ulti-
ately caused the settlement of the piers
ID the breaking of the arches, showing
plnly thaf@N{Ilin was near at hand The
pndatioR of the new bridge are very diff
eptl rtriyed, being laid deep in the
W. sSnn cS clay. This object was effected
~ ho honud odqewise nuiiI,er of iron cassons,
sitkng e%%Srizontally t&rty-six feet in length
neaswnaSo feet in breath, which were forced
~ eighteen the bed Of tie river until they
6pwn urousn -Four of hese caissons placed
Fecamc In with sighS iIefvals between, and
paving Iu6fi ion tf4Iyi1Gg across the stream, fur
ish the basis Of each pier At each end of this
ow OF caissons was one of triangular form,
p which was reared the cutwater of the pier.
Bach pier, with its cutwater, thus required six
aissOns. These were sunk about twenty feet
ito the bed of the river, and were afterwards
led with concrete and brickworl, as also the
teryening spaces. In addition to these perma-
ent calSsonS, others OF q temporary character
ere introduced, and the whole process involved
te constant employment of divers, as well as of
cam engines, the latter to pump out the water
ON the interior of the calssons. On this solid
ass OF ironwork, concrete, and brickwOrk
as laid the combined brickworl and granite.
brming the superstructure of the bridge.
Conspicuous on each pier is n column of red
Plished granite, from ten to twelve feet high,
nd about seven feet in diameter. The small
eight, in proportion to the diameter gives to
esc columns a peculiarly massive or COM
ressed appearance. If they were ugly we
(ould call them stnmpy; but they are not
Fly, and therefore deserve a more compliment
ry term. Each column has Il highly ornameu-
i capital and cornlce, and on the top of all
mes the parapet of the bridge, which Mt that
brit is made of granite and forms species of
ttlement, being in fact a recess or bay from
G pavement of the bridge, somewhat similar
those on London bridge, only more orna-
entail in style and semi octangular in shape
he base of each column, as well as the capital
of Portland stone, finely carved
be capitals are extremely rich. Those or
present river birds and plants, while the
kpitals on the opposite or down-riyer side are
preseutative of marine life-gulls and sea
eed. The treatment is very bold, and reflect:
edit on the sculptor, Mr.. Phillip. Springins
om the piers, we have the immense wrought
on girdcrs, nine to each arch, placed side by
de, and braced transversely with iron-work il
lie usual manner. The spandrins of the archie
Ce filed in with iron latticc-work; decorated
it'll floral bosses. The external iron work will
painted of a bronZe-green, relieved by tn
lding OF the bosses. The parapet of the bridg
of open iron work, which also will be painte
onze-green. Passing from each OF the a6ut
|ents is an enormous plaster or pedestal O
fanite, with carved cornice in Portland stone
wo of these flank each end OF the bridge, o
Ill do so when the fourth is completed a
e northwest angle. Viewed from the roa6
ay, these pedestals have fine effect, and ar
pggestye of statuary-equestria or otherwis
which we suppose at some date will crow
leir summit.
The architectural style of the bridge is Vent
bn Gothic. Its length is 800 feet, and the era
cnt is one in forty. The rise is, therefore
bntle, and the approach is easy, even on Tn
buthern side, where the ground dips. Tn
eadth inside the parapets is 70 feet Londo
ridge being 53 Each pavement is Is fet
ide or 6 feet more than on London Brldg
aving 45 feet for the roadway. The height {
e parapet or the balustrade Is moderate bl
fficient, averaging feet inches, bein
lightly in excess of that on Westminster Bridg
hile viewing the liberal breadth of footwa
ld the noble aspect of the bridge general
seemed almost presented with an ant
5imax in the shape of sundTy iron cylinder
uck vertically into the pavement
build scarcely believe our eyes, but wer
eyertheless, assured that the lamps TO ligl
lis bridge were to be stuck on posts, aft
e good old-iasmoned style, intruding on Il
otway and obtruding themselves on the e!
a manner by no means favorable to archite
raj effect. No doubt some economy of lig
all be achieved by this arrangement; yet
ust be poor lamp which cannot cast its ra
Ter half the interval of seventy-fivc feet-th
to say, about a dozen yards. Lamp standard
ith lamps on groups, would she'd abunda
sht if placed on the parapet, where they me-
bt be any eye-sore. If they were in this latt
psition the gas could be laid on through pip
dependent OF the pavement. According to Z
nrranOanant the pinpa are md