The Republican journal., 1901-12-26
THE FORTH BRIDGE.

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In the smoke room of the Windsor
Hotel, Edinburgh, we met one evening
gentleman who gave us some advice
as to points of interest in and about
the city. Above all else he placed the
Forth Bridge. "You should not fail to
see that" he said, and we had read
enough of this wonderful structure to
know that his advice was good. The
next morning five of our party boarded
break in front of the hotel, and after
calls at other hotels and at the railway
station to fill the remaining seats, we
were off for our drive of ten miles to
the Firth of Forth. Our route took us at
first through section of the city trav-
ersed in drive the previous day, but
which we were glad to see again from a
slightly different sitting-point. AS we
were leaving the city behind, the driver
pointed out what he said was the largest
quarry in Scotland. All the stone used
in building New Edinburgh came from
this quarry. On either hand as we
vent on were broad fields Of potatoes
and turnips, and sheep were every
where. The next object of interest
was a massive stone wall, the stones
faced, the wall eight feet high and two
feet under ground This wall the driver
Informed us was the longest stone wall
in Scotland seven miles and was
built in the time of strike to give en-
plovment to the masons. 1t cost one
guinea per running yard, and one OF
our party figured that this made total
of about S26O,0 Before halt at one
of the wayside inns, where you get
Cheer for the horses and water for the
gentlemen we had glimpse OF the
oldest bridge in Scotland. 1t was Of
stone. of course, and was built 500
wears ago. Farther on we had view
of the Earl of Roseberry's residence IN
the distance, half hidden in trees, and
near at hand some of his cattle and
horses were cropping the grass. Our
drive ended at an inn near the bridge,
and at pier short distance away was
little steamer ready to take tourists out
for view of the structure from the
water
Tie great French engineer Eitfel pro
nounced this bridge the greatest struc-
ture in the world One principle OF It's
construction is that under the cantl-
lever system it's own enormous weight
holds it firmer in its highly exposed posi-
ton. The railway is l57 feet above the
hich-water level, and the bridge itself
is in two spans Of LOO feet, two OF SO
feet. and fifteen of lbs feet each. ~
mile practically, is covered by the four
main spans. while half mile is cover
ed by the viaduct approaches. The
construction of the bridge was rendered
possible by the position III mld-stream
Of the island of Inch Garvie-a sort OF
halfway house which gives security to
the erection. A gang of painters is
kept constantly at work. So vast is the
structure that it takes 50 tons of paint
to give it one coat, and the area dealt
with is something like 120 acres. 1t
continuously engages a staff of so
painters, who by their united labors
manage to complete its new coating In
seven years-ln time to begin again.
Tie steamer on which we embarked
was double ender of very antiquated
appearance. She took US out into MD
stream, where We had a good view of
the bridge and of the trains passing
over it. that looked toys, then carried
us under one of the main spans, and
back to the pier again. 1t was certain
" sight worth seeing, and on pleas
ant day the ride from Edinburgh is
most enjoyable.