The Union and journal. [volume] (Biddeford, Me.) 1858-1882, 1870-04-15
Bridges.

Tho word bridge docs not occur In the
Bible. The first bridge of which wc havo
any record was erected by Queen Nicotris,
y:,vor tho Euphatcs, at Babylon. (B. G..
22o4,) 66O feet In length, and 3ofectwidc.
1t was draw bridge, and consisted OF
stone piers, without arches, but connected
with one another by q framework Of plank
ing. which was removed at night to prevent
the inhabitants from passing from each
side of the river to commit mutual dcpro-
dations. The stones were fastened togeth-
or with iron clamps, soldercd with lead.
The piers were built while the river was
free from water; its course having been
diverted into a large lake, which was rc-
stored to its usual channel when the work
was completed. Darius, d. c.. oil.
threw bridge of boats. over the Ielles-
pont, a suspension bridge, the platform of
which rested upon enormous cables formed
by ropes Of flax and papyrus twisted to-
gcther, and then stretched tight by means
of windlasses on each side. The Romans
first applied the arch to the construction
Of bridges.
There were eight across the Tiber, the
most celebrated as well rs tho most an
eient of which was tho Pons Sublicus, so
called because II wa, built of. wood. Il
was built by ANGUS Martius, B. G. G23,
and united the Janiculurn with tho city.
Trajan, B. @. 105, built n bridge Of wood.
resting on stone piers, 5000 feet long. It
was destroyed by Hadrian from motives Of
jealousy who put the architect to death.
The Pons Fabricus was originally built Of
wood, but was rebuilt of stono, B. G. 62.
Julius Caesar (B. c. 56) built wooden
bridge across the Rhine, Mt Cologne. in tcp
days. 1t was the first bridge built In North
orn Europe. Casks. used to support RATS
for the passage Of an army. and small
boats followed out of tho trunks of trees,
with planks and nails, were the usual ac-
compartments Of an army. to be used
upon emergency. Darius (B. c. 12) built
bridge acros, the Lippe and two over
the Rhine-one at Mayencc AMI the other
at Bonne. Charlemange "a. ID. SO9 built
bridge at Mayencc. Across the Tasus
in Spain an ancient Roman bridge at Al
cantara, was COO feet In length. In!venice
there are no less than 800 bridges, but
mostly Of small span.
The Petite Pont. across the Seine. near
tho Hotel Dicu. occupies the site of a
bridge which was the only communication
between the IL de In Cite and the south
crn bank of the river B. @. 53). II was
carried away, by inundations or Ice, tnir-
teen times, between the thirteenth and
seventeenth centuries, and built of wood.
with houses on It In A. d. 1859. In 17is
1t was burnt but soon alter rebuilt OF
stone. The Grand Pont was built ofwood
In 1l41; It was several times destroyed
and rebuilt; burnt In 1921; rebuilt Of
stone In 1647; demolished In 1888; then
rebuilt in 1860. and now called Pont du
Change. lPont Notro Dame was built In
14i4; rebuilt In 1890; rebuilt in 1855;
and cost s2l0, 900, and Is 36S feet in length.
Pont Neuf was built in l6oi. 75s feet in
length. Pout Mario was built OF stone In
1896. Pont Royal was rebuilt Of stone In
1865. 4l4 feet In length. Pcronnct In,
1774, constructed the beautiful bridge Of
Neuilly. consisting Of Eve arches Of l2S
fecs span cach.s s-ss-r ls i7laLoa y
The first bridge across the Thames was
built In A. d. ,99i. at London. and con-
structed OF wood. The bod Of tho river
was made dry by divsrting the water
througha canal. commencing Mt Battersea,
and terminating Mt Rotherhitho. Shops