The Daily state journal. [volume] (Alexandria, Va.) 1868-1874, 1871-05-01

Mayo's B,1dge.-The roadway of Mayo
new bridge was completed and opened fol
travel on Saturday. Our citizens and the
citizens of Manchester can now, once more
enjoy the privileges Of uninterrupted trave
and communication. Seven months ago to- da,
the old wooden structure, formerly known a.
kings BRIDGE" was carried away BY the
swollen waters of the James. The Messrs
Mayo, with commendable energy and perse
verance, set to work at once making arrange,
ments for the erection of new structure. On
the 7th of November contract was made with
the McNairy & Cla1en Manufacturing com
pany, of Cleveland, Ohio, for the superstruc.
ture OF the present bridge.
The piers and abutments have been raised
nearly six feet, and notwithstanding that most
OF this work was done in mid winter--and a
remarkably stormy and severe winter, too, for
this climate-the work was pushed to compile
tion so that it should not interfere with the
raising OF the superstructure at the earliest
possible moment.
The style of the bridge is a polygonal arch,
or rather q series of arches extending from
pier to pier. The whole structure, excepting
floor beams, floor joist, and floor, is manufac-
tured of the best refined wrought iron. Every
piece of iron used in the bridge is guaranteed
to Withstand tensi strain of 6n, 900 lbs. to the
square inch, and the bridge itself is calculated
to carry rolling load of ,000lb to the linear
foot, with factor Of five, making the break
ing strain of the bridge 5000 to the linear foot
When the bridge shall have received its
finishing touches, with its wrought iron side
walk railing, &C., it will, without doubt, be a
useful ornament to our city.
The work has been under the immediate su-
pervsion of Mr.. George M. Reid, who has
most conclusively shown himself to be a prac-
tical as well as live man.
TIE morning papers of Saturday made no>
fire that the laat nIank Uonld ha M in pIo
and the bridge open for travel by three O'Clock
of that day. A short time prior to the hour
mentioned a goodly number of Mr.. Mayo's
friends, including representatives of the press,
we're on the ground to witness the last spike
driven and the first team to cross.
While waiting for the workmen to complete
the last few feet of flooring, Mr.. Mayo inter-
ested and entertained his guests in one of the
antiquated brick houses located on the island,
midway between Richmond and Manchester.
A number of carriages were here provided,
which were soon rolling on with their living
freight towards Manchester. At the Manches-
ter end of the bridge, a halt of moment or
two was made, while the last plank was put in
place and the last spike driven, when over
went the happy crowd, giving three lusty
cheers for the new bridge.
After short turn about Manchester the
party returned to the bridge, when Mr.. Chas.
Stacy invited them into his mill, where the
crowd very happily discussed the merits and
dement's of the new bridge over large bowl
Of lemonade (?). From the mill over the
bridge again, and upon invitation of Mr.. E.
". Mercer, Southern Agent of the McNairy
4 Clafen Manufacturing company, the party
1rove to the Ballard House, where dinner was
awaiting them. Here happy hour was very
profitably consumed, and o'clock witnessed
he finale OF the little in,promptu gathering col
ected to congratulate Mr.. Mayo on the com.
oletion of his new bridge.