New-York tribune., 1879-12-30

THE EXTENT OF The GREAT sIRCCTLRE-lTS LEAD
ING FEATURES.
The great bridge across the mouth or firth
Of the River Tay was constructed the railroad
tourney between Edinburgh, Dundee and other
places 10 the Northwest OF Scotland. BY means
Of the bridge the distance by rail from Edin-
burgh To Dundee reduced to thirty-seven miles.
thereby obyiatng a long detour by WY OF Perth. 40
cOrimg to account gwen IN The Nec l0rk Scotsman
year, agreement was entered into in May. 1871
between the North British Railway Company aud
Charles DE Bergue, of London, experienced bridge
contractor, but almost Immediately after signing
the agreement he became suddenly IL, and could
not take active part in It's construction. His
death in 1873 necessitated the transfer Of the con-
boro' Quite in the beginning Mr Austin, another OF
Mr. DE Bergues managers aid down principle which
which generally used in bridge building. The piers
AID Goajed out to their destination. The consist.
eney with iwheh this principle was ., carried
Of the kind even II It's size and impor-
tance were less remarkable. 10 mater OF what mate
receptaces for concrete huge Jumps OF brckwork weigh
ing above hundred tons, iron girders OF hun.
ed and ninety tonthey were all flushed on shore and
foated TO their destination.
broad 0 both sides the bed is composed of trap rock
but m the rock slopes down to too great
gravel tnen sand, aud lastly cay bouders. The
gravel is found at depths Of about eighteen feet and SO
the piers These eightyfve IN number. supporting
spans Gi yarypg tasss sS wSe sane on
land cement. which In us STdinsry sta g is a nne
becomes in few minutes The first fourteen
from the south side are entirely 6uilt with IL TO tho
water, ~ Where tho iron work begins. when mixed
with sand and gravel. or broken stones IN certain
proportions, 1t forms concrete, which takes the
shape ofs any cavity into which II is pat, aud
IN e few days becomes as hard as stone, 10
parts OF all the piers, and has the adyanage OF beng
S pce W Where Rs Sse y Of
the spans 2i5 feet long, and the piers were so high
waterway let-more than sufficient tor the class "
vessels plying from Dundee to the places above tne
so wide apart that the trains could pass
tween them, the roadway being hxed at the
bottom OF the girders La the other parts OF tho
river this great height required, and the piers
We're tereole KEY. nd, % p ~, 'oy ~ ~ .us - ~
aud The rails beng land ON coss sleeers resting on top
of the Orders In tnis manner The adway formed an
unbroken line. while there seemed 10 be step IN the
girders-a circumstance which puzzles many tll wsik
by 10 perform the wonderful acChatlc Icats
which from dsIanc would lead one Il e19,ct.
Last year, on Friday. MAY 81 the formal opening tor
passenger and general traffic ol the fay Britge took
place. with display OF ceremonial 10y no Deans Ju oi
place III connection Win the successful completion OK
OF the greatest engineering enterprises. ever
undertaken The estuary OF a large and swiithowins
river has been splnnei al point where III II neary
two miles In width; aud this has been accomplish d
of bridges of snch great leugth nut which have been
skiluy employed that emmense Strength has been
secured, along wltn anu US couec4uCncc
great economy OF material The bridge bins ready Tor
traffic Invitations issued 70 the leading nVbeuen
and gentlemen In Great Britain Interested la railway
matters. and TO several ciylc officials. Special trans
from Edinburgh aad Glasgow conveyed the
invited guests 10 LeuchaIs Junction, and from
thence 20 Newport. The traiu which crossed
tile bridge went only fast enough 10 exhibit the
stability OF the noble structure. and quite slow
enough enable the guests command "A leisureiy
view Of the maguncenl OF the OF the
Tay all the radiant ovelness OF bight SUM
day, with the smooth swift river rolling far be-
meath. About the centre Of the bridge, the widest
spans the train percepbly slowed, and the occupants
caught heetng glimpse OF the method Of construction
Of the huge rders The approach to the end Of
bridge hailed by the enthusiastic ehecrs of
Immense assemblage of the inhabitants of Dundee
had congregated Magdalen Green and ON land re-
Gently reclaimed from the estuary. The company
welcomed at Dundee station by the Provost.
and thence, headed by volunteer bands they
In procession from the station 10 the Albert Institute
by way OF Union-st. All along the route tho guests
were warmly greeted by the enthusiastic crowds sea
free from mills and other public works by tho half
holiday granted In honor OF the occasion. Flags noated
from the public baldinss. and the grand staircase Of
the Albert Insfitute was proflseiy decorated with
evergreens the great hall Of the Institute luncheon
Was provided by the directors Of the North Bntish
Railway for 600 gentlemen and rs speeches
made. Since the opening day the bridge has
IN constant use, and ts stability hardly Ques,
L