The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1877-11-28
Bridges.

II IS quite remarkable how men adhere to
the arrant mistake Of constructing bridges
too low : low enough to be reached by the
highest food AMI swept away. Mayo's
bridge two feet higher would have detcd
the latest and highest flood ever known in
James river. The Danvile Railroad bridge
at this place two feet higher would also have
been out of reach OF this food.
The bridge between Lynchbllrg and Am-
herst county, which has been swept away
several times, was carried off Saturday night,
and was probably the immediate cause OF the
breaking away of the Atlantic, Mississippi
and Ohio Railroad bridge, but a short dis
lance below it. This Lynch5urg bridge has
been rebuilt as often as destroyed. and
always at such an elevation as may be
reached by the food. In the case OF this
small bridge the consequences are not
. very bad-indced, lar more grievous IN
being the cause OF the breaking away
the more. important structure. below it
than in any injury by its own loss. We re-
peat, that slight are the comparative evils OF
the loss OF such bridge as that; but men
seem to be as oblivious OF the forecast which
should govern them in bridging points
where the means OF crossing are very I'M
portant. *r
Certainly the lessons have been many, and
it is the duty OF bridge-builders to profit
by them. II it were reasonably practicable
we. would think it wise to raise the Danvile
! Railroad bridge. Every great flood causes
deal of trouble in making that bridge Sc
cure, and on Sunday it was in taking mea-
sures for this purpose that useful and eX-
emplary citizen-Mr. OVERLY, the master
carpenter Of the company-was borne OH
BY the food and drowned.
During the flood there stood, and now
stands, the Free bridge upon its enduring
foundations, so high above the flood that its
attitude in the midst OF mad and wildly
Ieaping waters was trinmhpantly serene.
There was neither danger nor anxiety, and
people gathered upon it to behold the angry
scene from a secure place until fears were
caused OF some danger from the accumulated
weight, and the police was required to scat
: ter the crowds. The Petersburg Railroad
bridge also towers so high above danger
that there was no thought Of it. Its eleVa-
ton was not determined for safety from
flood. because it is three times as bigh as
necessary for that. The object was to get
level for the railway track from shore to
shore.
But in almost every case where the flood
has swept away bridges a foot or two, OF
four at farthest, would always save these
structures where their foundations are prac-
i tically made.
But for the Free bridge now there would
be much inconvenience and trouble in cross
ing James river. As it is, that comes in adj
mirabIy, and for time at least suspends the
economical ,cayils at>the expenditure OF mo-
ney for that work, which is, indeed, one Of the
most benefcent improvements ever made IN
this locality. Our caviling friends will
think better OF it after this, we hope, and
be more willing to see bridge on Ninth
street over tue basin, together with proper
grade OF Ninth from Broad to Main and
from Main to the south OF the basin, and.
indeed, to the Free bridge.
The Petersburg Railroad bridge is unne-
cessariy high for merely preserving it from
food; but it is an illustrious example OF
that perfect sense OF security which is i'm.
parted by a structure that is completely out
OF danger. For forty years it has stood out
OF the reach Of food, and Its piers are as
durable and sufficient to-day as they were
when first erected. Let all bridges be ele
waited above the highest known floods, and
then, il their foundations are constructed
upon practical and proper principles, people
may feel sure OF their bridges. The expense
Oft few feet in height cannot be great; ant
what an economy it is.to incur this small
expense and thus avoid the reconstruction
Of . bridge probably more than once. Blu
TO construct anew bridge just where on.
has been washed away is idly to defy fore,
that is known to he Irresistible. n.
81
senator Hamiin. og Maine, lths gossips re
'ort, mas said that I. his regrets to be com