Pittsburg dispatch. [volume] (Pittsburg [Pa.]) 1880-1923, 1889-06-23
FIRM AS GIBRALTAR.
That JOhnstown Stone Viaduct the
Worlds Model Bridge.
ITS STRENGTH COST MANY "A LIFE.
Something About Its History and How it
Came to be Built.
RELIEF ITEMS AND OTHER FLOOD DRIFT

Ever and anon will there be indirect
causes attributed for the awful Johnstown
disaster; but striking one presented itself
yesterday, and that was the Conemaugh
viaduct which, in measure-on account
of it's strong proportions and resistance
caused a loss of life far greater than would
have occurred had it been carried away with
minor structures. The viaduct has been
known and considered by engineering ex-
perts as the finest work of bridge architec-
ture in the railroad world, and its history is
one of great interest
Inquiry among the Pennsylvania Rail-
road people resulted in little information;
but at the engineers headquarters, and
through the courtesy of Colonel T. P.
Roberts, brief outline was learned in re-
gard to the viaduct. The disastrous feature
Of the structure in the late catyclism was
that it acted as fortifcation, which tempo
rarily damned the water and floating debris,
and then, when everything else built by
human hands would fail to resist the power
full avalanche, as it toppled in with the
common wooden wrecks, the fate
of thousands of lives was sealed.
EXPERTS DISBELIEvED
that the viaduct had gone, but added: "If
any or all of it has been swept away, the
greatest food has come down there that ever
occurred in the Conemaugh Valley"
The resisting force of the bridge was most
apparent, as there was new water course
cut to the left and over the side of the
foir he h;eb LoI -,
the structure. This is another plausible
argument that its staunchness caused
greater devastation than if it had been
swept away at once. The water mark shows
now that above the bridge the water touched
point Of 60 feet; but after the structure
had in part collapsed the marks below
showed an altitude Of only 30 feet, which grad
ually diminished between the vladuct and
Johnstown. The temporary stoppage- of
the water, and subsequent breaking away of
the bridge gave all the more momentum Ito
the mad rush ofwaters, and made many more
watery graves.
Just think of huge rock, weighing 425
tons, being carried out like frail skitf and
landed on the opposite side of the river.
This will give an idea of what the famous
Conemaugh viaduct had to Withstand be-
fore being carried away.
The bridge is a famous structure, and has
been examined by dukes, other noblemen
and legion of other prominent people, who
considered it marvel in the architectural
and engineering line. 1t was portion of
the old Portage road, a continuation of the
Pennsylvania canal, which is we'll known
as State institution.
AT A VERY LARGE COST.
1t was afterward purchased by the Penn
sylvania Railroad for S., 900, 900, and utilized
from Summerhill to Johnstown as a road
bed for the railroad. The late Colonel Mil
ner Roberts was the designer, engineer and
builder of the great bridge, and at that
time-1892-there were very few civil en-
gineers in the country. Many doubted
the feasibility of making curve
in a canal aqueduct: but this was effected
very successfully, as has been proven by the
results. Associated with Colonel Roberts
were Solomon w. Roberts, Edward Miller,
William E. Morris and W. M. Roberts. all
practical civil engineers.
The bridge was remarkable in that day,
from the fact OF its span, and skilled reser-
voir builders marveled at it. The single
span is 80 feet, and its length is also 80 feet.
Its cost could not be ascertained definitely;
but the Portage road alone cost the State
$50, 100000. Shortly after the road had
been finished, in 1882, tremendous food
occurred in that portion of the State which
obliterated the canal for miles down toward
Pittsburg; but this memorable bridge with
stood that terrible shock, while smaller ones
were dashed to pieces.
Even after the recent annihilation of lives
and property, portions OF the grand old
structure stood in the main intact showing
its great strength.
The Pennsylvania Railroad Company is
rebuilding it; but, with all credit to the
builders. there can be only one Conemaugh
viaduct. Unfortunately, 1t was too strong,
so that its resisting forces caused additional
loss of life-which goes to show that the vir-
tue of good thing may prove powerful
enemy to the world.