Shepherdstown register. [volume] (Shepherdstown, Va. [W. Va.]) 1849-1955, 1880-07-10
FINISHED.
TIE g. v. r. Il. BRIDGE ACROSS TIE
POTOMAC RIVER.

Another, and one of the greatest enter
prises ever undertaken. i'm this section OF
the country was completed on Wcdnes-
day last at this place, in the successful
construction OF. the great railroad bridge,
for the use of the S. V. Il. r., over the
Potomac in its extension northwsrd.
This vast piece of work and engineer
ing, which has been accomplished IN
period of time almost improbable anu 10
us seemed impossible, IS one that Will ever
stand rs monument OF skiiland sciehtlhc
labor to its projectors.
on the 18th dry of May last, Mr.. DAVID
Cofrode, the efficient and experienced
Superintendent Of the firm of Cofrode d
Savior, contractors, with 4 force VI about
3J 'EIen began operations on canal span,
on the Maryland side, ana thslIcd for
ward with that energy of spirit Which
seems indomitable in him to its success
full completion on Wednesday last, just
ten days less than two months III fact we
should say he did his work in anonth ana
a half, allowing deduction of time lost IN
the washing away of the false WORK oy
thorecent high water, and Tor otncr m
tiefhemeies of the weather. ms Deauti-
full bridge OF the latest improved howe;
truss pattern, intrlcatciy Ifade OF Woou
and iron. is formed Of five spans, from
this the Virginia side to the per on inc
caral side i'm Maryland, and its length
ubat il tire bridge proper is Sil feet,
connected % which is on the Maryland
side 339 feet Of trestling work, making IN
all 1850 fcetin length. Its height above
low water mark to the top of ran on ties
is 50 feet. and from bottom Of the river
about 10 feet, forming one of thc high
est aiid most Substantial bridges in the
State.
With few accidents, and MT much else
to impede their progress (safe TIE wash
ing away of the trcstling allowed men"
tioned} they cir certainly say that they
have been most Fortunately ana especially
successful in this undertaking:
The iron rail or track was laid by Mr..
Cofrode across the river on the bridge OH
"Wednesday evening last, in less than ono
hour, and the first Engine will pass oyer
the same to-day, Saturday. The watch
inS of the construction of this bridge has
been of great interest to our citizens, ana
the cliffs has been quite resort this sum-
mer to many eager and curious eyes,
which have WATCHED it from its begin
ming to its final completion; and by which
the viewing of the trains as they come
and 90, will have to be substituted.
Shepherdstown will miss the gentle
manly and clever set of men who have
been engaged during the summer on this
work, and it will also miss Mt. Cofrode
who has made ndhy frieiids IN Cur town,
and who is highly esteemed by all who
Eiow him. TO Dir. COfrode undoubtedly
does the credit of constructing this bridge
But pre-eminently is it manifest, that to
MIR. ii. W. Potts, and his corps offaithftl
assistants, does the important part OF en-
gireering belong; not 4 course upon the
piers Was laid or span OF the bridge
swung but what was infinitely inspected
by his skillful eye, through sunshine anu
raft has he not only looked after The work
upon the bridge, but also personally re-
viewed the progress Of this road from
here to HagerstOwn; and now after many
days of hard labor, he has the satisfac-
ton (and VIC congratulate him upon IT'D
of seeing the successful termination OF
his work, i'm this respect: We congratu-
late Mr.. Cofrode and all others who have
labUred in this great work; for we are by
the completion of this bridge, connected
by tiahy ties and strong cords, With the
North, and that it will be the means of
bringing capital TO our valley a portion
of which Shepherdstown through the aid
Of the 5. V. X. r., will surely receive.
let it come, We are ready and willing to
receive it.