Savannah morning news. [volume] (Savannah) 1868-1887, 1882-10-31

The First "Trip over the Railroad
Iron Bridge Across the savannah
River.

The magnificent and substantial iron
bridge contracted for by the Charleston and
Savannah Railway, was finished yesterday,
and is pronounced one Of the very best feats
Of engineering skill in the history Of this
country. The regular fast train which left
here at 4:55.wss under charge of Captain
Slswson. and by the courteous invitation Of
Captain r. G. Fleming, Superintendent, the
representative of the MORNING NEWS con-
cluded to run over and meet the inspecting
party, under Mr.. Felix s. Prendergast, Su-
pervising Engineer, and return with them.
A force had been sent out in the
morning to make the connections
with the bridge, and they went assiduously
to work and by I've O'Clock the entire con-
nections were finished and ready for the
passage OF the train. The regular train,
which had been delayed in Savannah forty
five minutes, was notified, and Conductor
Slawson gave the signal call aboard" and
the train rolled off. The Savannah river
was reached an hour after leaving the
depot, and the train passed safely
and rapidly over the bridge, which is a
superb and substantial structure. The
great curve Is avoided which was neces-
STATED by the route over the old bridge,
aud the line is now nearly straight. This
new bridge is ]. $50 feet long, comprises six
spans OF splendidly wrought iron and 192
feet OF drswbridge. The bridge rests
on nine massive stone piers, twenty feet long
and six feet wide, which are
considered the strongest masonry work
In the South. The work was commenced
about q year ago, and has been vigorously
prosecuted since. and now OF Its completion
stands a monument TO engineering skill.
The contract for constructing the fou4ds-
ton was awarded VIM. Sooy Smith q Son,
who have admirably performed the work.
Gen. Smith, the senior, is the same con-
| tractor who sank the piles and cylinders for
this bridge In 1859, some portions OF which
work remained after the war; and after the
lapse of nearly a quarter Of century he
| has finished the work. 1t is not
often that q similar case can be cited The
superstrue' ure consisting OF the iron work
| all wrought iron-was manufactured by the
| Clark Bridge Company, OF Baltimore, and
is OF the latest and most improved style.
The flooring is OF the best material, resting
on safety stringers, with crossties by 5,
not more than six inches apart. The entire
cost of the bridge will approximate
| 800 900, aud from its substantial char
acter it may safely be predicted
/ It will last century or more. The train
upOn which the representative Of the MORN
ING NEWS went out was the first regular
train to pass over the bridge and crossed
| over swiftly and safely, meeting the special
! train two miles distant on the siding on the
South Carolina side, and was there transferr-
ed for a return to Savannah. The bridge
was built to stand the weight OF
two heavy Mogul engines with full train
| of freight cars, each weighing tniriy-two
| tons, and the tests yesterday of its strength
were entirely satisfactory.
1t Is believed that the old bridge over the
| Savannah river will be removed at an early
moment, and that the new iron bridge will
/ be used exclusively.