The Wheeling daily intelligencer. [volume] (Wheeling, W. Va.) 1865-1903, 1892-03-11
THE BRIDGE ALL RIGHT.
A Careful Measurement Shows
that 1t has not sunk any Farther.
THE CREDlTABLEa ENGINEERING,
With Careful Supervision aud Com-
rc,cnt DInnngcmcnt by tho Contrnc-
tors, Achieved n Degree OF Success
bound to make the big Wheeling
Bridge Famous. G.S ,@..'t

It was reported Yesterday that the
stone bridge was still sinking. The cngi.
ncers themselves thought this might
very probably DO true, as two inches,
the yielding noticed tho day before, was
a very low proportion to tho span. A
careful observation yesterday afternoon,
however, showed that the bridge was
rigid at tho point it had reached at tho
time of tho last observation tho day be-
fore. 1t has only sunk two inches since
tho removal OF the contcrs from beneath
the stone was begun, and as it stood
twcnty-iour hours without any further
sinking, it is evident that it has reached
its resting place.
There was never more successful job
Of bridge engineering and building nc
compiishcd. The plans were SO intelli-
gently aud carefully drawn that every
stone fit in its place just as il it had
been cut to fit the place by actual meas
urcment. Engineering alone, however,
could not have accomplished the work.
Messrs. Hoge and White, the engineers
in charge, did their part as we'll as 1T
could have been done. This is shown
by the fact that tho sinking OF tho arch
breaks the record. But without the
competent worl; OF Capt. L. G.. Hallock,
the managing member OF the firm
which had tho contract, and the most
faithful inspection OF Mr.. Bradley, who
was charged with the duty OF seeing
that every piece OF material that went
into the bridge was what it ought to be,
the engineers could have done little.
All connected with the work operated
together SO harmoniollsly that the best
results were to be expected, and they.
were obtained.
Two inches Of q sinking in IN arch OF
100 feet span will be regarded by the
engineering world as marvellous
achievement. Tho closest record here
tOiore made was on tho Grosvenor
bridge, in England, where on the first
attempt the bridge fell in when tho
false work was removed from beneath
it. The arch was rebuilt, with more
care, and on the second attempt the
bridge was SO nicely adjusted thar it
sank but two and a hall inches. That
was until tho Wheeling arch was COM
plete the high water mark Of ;bridge en-
gIncerlng. 1t is something for a COM
munity to have q bridge which cxcels
the finest former feat Of engineering.
Already the interest felt in it is intense
and widespread. Requests ior blue
prints OF the plans and for information
us to details have been received from
number OF prominent people.
1t is thought that the bridge can be
complete in every detail, including the
laying OF the water pipes and the ar
Judgements for underground electric
wires, inside OF month. The work OF
archlng over the open spaces between
the spandrel walls is being pushed along
rs fast as possible in spite OF the weather.
The cutting OF tho stone for the curb
and the parapets is all that will require
any special time, and it is understood
that this is making good progress. At
any rate the driveway can be paved and
ready for use inside OF n month. The
sidewalks need not be pushed. 1t is not
known whether the contractors would
allow the bridge to be thrown open to
: vehicles before it is entirely, completed
and turned over 10 the city Of not, but
III all probability they would offer no
objections. ,