The New York herald., 1872-07-23
THE BLACK ROCK BRIDGE.
Engineering Science Overcoming the
Torrents In the Niagnrs-How Golfer
dams Are Sunk Above the Cat6rsct and
Great Falls. a.rft r.lf u.

Engineering Science overcoming the
Torrents In the Niagnra-FIow Comer-
dams Are Sunk Above tho Cat&rsct and
Great Falls. sert- .st- al j.
FORT ERIE, July 20, 1872
The International Bridge, building for the Grand
Trunk and Great Western Railroads at Black Rock,
four miles below Buffalo, across the Niagara to
Canada is to be an iron span resting on eight
abutmcnts, Its entire length 400 feet. Anybody
who has seen the fierce element OF this river as 1t
rushes out of Lake Erie for twenty miles to the
great Falls, whirling along and carrying with 1t
thousands OF loose RATS oftimber, and now and then
too reckless boatman, family struggling againss
the rushing water and soon lost from sight forever,
as he is swept the cataract, can imagine what
dinicuties have to be overcome TO establish q
bridge at this point For three years some Of the
best British and American engineers have with un-
firing energy pushed forward this great undertake
ing. Caissons and foundations were sunk, only to
he swept away by the torrent as rapidly as they
were put down. Wrecks OF former structures,
strongly bound and ir0n-fastened timber, strewn
along the river banks below, and whirlpoos mark
ing the spot where Others carried out OF position,
are held by some hidden rock tell OF the many dis
conragng and frutless attempts Of the past years,
middle piers In depth Of from tnirtylve to forty
entire past year has been devoted, but without
success. otto Meyer, of New York, was engaged
last winter to construct and % SINK cofer dams ior
pai ing c0Ter-dam OF his own, length 126 feet,
width 80 feet and depth to suit the river 80 feet for
sides, closing ut the bottom, forming space three
feet wide around the sides for depositing stones,
caisson, in which the pier is afterwards built. The
largest anchors and chains from the navy yards OF
New York and Montreal were secured, through the
18th instant CAPTAIN Meyers "ship without o bot
tom" lay moOred before eight OF the most weighty
anchors and chains that have ever gone through a
forge six feet above the position OF the pier to be
built
At one p M. preparations were made for sinking.
Several hundred tons OF stones were thrown In the
npertures on the sides OF the cofer-dam until 1t
had sunk within eighteen inches OF the river bed.
under water and fastened on the woodwork, their
buoyancy lifting the structure about two eet these
were all held by one rope, which being cut, caused
the barrels to float and submerge the cOlfer-dam
deep enough to strike the bottom. Six very heavy
iron.nointed i posts or 'spods' running through
were hoisted and ready to drop.
At four p. M, everything being ready on shore
and on board the craft was quietly let down
stream" by her anchors until the engineer on shore
signalled ain position" The flag was raised 'all
right" and with the order 'Cut away, the barrels
selves in the river bed, and with a light shock the
dam rested securely ON the bottom Of the Ma
vel ana stones has to be removed by dredge. here
ready for the purpose, and superntended by Mr.. w.
w. Collins. Below the gravel the solid rock Is found
on Which the piers are to rest
Three divers from the new Blackfriars Bridge
London, are clearing away the distractions around
the shoclng They now and then come In contact
with pieces OF wreck and sunken logs. large
navy pistol, OF British manufacture, brass
mounted, with barrel very much decayed and its
wooden butt petrned, was also found In the river
bed by the divers. 1t is relic OF the Revolution,
and was, no doubt, lost overheard four miles
above, near the old Fort Erie, during the battles
for liberty.
Until tie bridge is finished, the large steam ferry
near Buffalo continues taking the trains across
Lake Erie to the Canada landing. This route an
swcrs very well in summer, but the large icefelds
during the winter season make 1t hazardous
Journey. For the safety Of the travelling public IL
is hoped that the trains will pass over good sub
stantial bridge before next winter.