The daily dispatch. [volume] (Richmond [Va.]) 1850-1884, 1882-05-26
The TrcstIe Bridge OF the Richmond
and Petersburg RaiIroad Company.

The wooden bridge OF the Richmond
and potershnrn railroad crossing James
river cI0 snaps' 15O feet each,) was de-
stroved Inv tbe disastrous fire Of Sunday the
2Gth Of March last. This was great blow
| 10 tho North and South lines OF road pass
inc through this city, as the traffic OF the
Richmond and Danyille, as well as the
Coast Line. used IL. The company telo-
grnnbrd 10 all the builders OF iron bridges
in the country, and ascertained by next day
that an iron bridge could not be erected and
ready for traffic under eight months. IL
was at once determined TO put up wooden
trestle. and the saw-mills OF this state ana
North and South Carolina were put TO work
10 get out the heavy timbers needed, and
bridpe-carpenters were collected and gangs
of laborers Organized for the work. As
the timber began to arrive the work was
begun simultaneously from either end and
from the centre. The work was somewhat
retarded by the high water OF the river ana
the inexperience Of the laborers hastily col
lectcd, but has gone on very rapidly during
the past few weeks. The last bents were put
up on the 23d instant, and the croSs-biacing
and boiling have been going forward, ana
the bridge is now fit for travel, although
the boiling OF the braces viii not be COM
plete until the end OF this week. Unior-
tunately the former superintendent OF the
road. Mr.. II. ID. Kline, had resigned before
the fire, and his successor had not been
appointed. Within week, however, Mr..
j. X. Konly OF Baltimore, was elected SUI
perintcndont, and at once took charge OF
the wreck. Mr.. Kenly is an engineer and
railrOad-man OF experience, and he at once
made designs for the structure, and has SUI
,I...If oil
The builders on the north side have been
under the command OF Captain Hugh
Longest, while those ON the south end have
been directed by his son, John J. Longest.
TO Mr. kenly, assisted 10y these two lieu
tenants. is due the credit OF this most eX-
tIuordInary work.
This is one OF the great bridges Of the
country, 2,SG0 feet long, varying from 60
10 - feet in height, crossing rapid river
which has been unusually high during the
progress OF the work, erected with such
hands aS could be hastily collected, the
timber for which was growing in the
forests sixty days ago. 1t j. work for
any one 30 be proud Of.
The material i'm the bridge will give some
idea OF it, size. There are ,j20 pine poles,
10 inches minimum diameter; over 100000
feet Of sawed timber, not counting cross
ties; over 10000 iron bolts, besides 1G-inch
iron spikes.
Captain Longest reports the bridge now
ready for trains, but Mr.. kcnly will not
allow train to cross until the last bolt Is
screwed up, although the locomotives have
been on it Tor some days. The trains, be-
ginning with next week, will use 1t regu-
nrly. In its present condition il i stronger
than any other kind Of bridge, but 1t Is
question how long il will last. Green pine
poles, with the water Of the river rising
and falling on them, will rot in time, but
there will be Il fine iron bridge there long
before this structure shows any weakness
from That callse.