The Democratic advocate. [volume] (Westminster, Md.) 1865-1972, 1902-07-26
work That Never nnds.


ssThe Forth bridge is now receiving its
fourth coat of paint since its erection near
" II years ago, says Tt-Bits Every
three years the paint surface of the great
bridge is renewed Beginning at the south
end the painters take three years to cover
the entire length of the bridge "a mile and
a fifth-and by this time they have to start
again at the south side, three years being
the life Of the paint.
ssTwenty five acres Of metal surface have
to be coated by the brush, and as the
bridge is on the cantalever principle, rising
to height of $50 feet, the workmen have
to crawl about like flies on easement
The work is of the utmost Importance, as
unless well painted the steel would soon
corrode, subjected as it is in that exposed
position to the full action of wind and rain.
| A special paint composed mainly of oxide
and red lead is used, and there is no de-
mand for decorative taste, simply the plain
swish swosh. But clear head and strong
nerve are essential The main piers of the
cantalevers are of steel tubes II feet IN dl-
ameter, running up to height of 80 feet,
or 5 feet higher than ST. PauPs Cathe-
dral, SO thst to paint day after day at these
tubes neeessitates mind not given to ex-
citable thoughts. Only in very stormy
weather is the work stopped; on gauge
wind pressure of 65 pounds per square foot
has been registered, greater force than
that which blew down the Tay bridge.
s'About $50 tons of paint and 80, 600
gallons of oil are used up besides other ma
terials ere the men have crossed from the
south shore to the north shore. The squad
of men numbers usually about 30, and
when they first take to the trade they are
kept to the lower portions of the bridge.
As they gain confidence they are intrusted
with the outlying parts. There is an elabo-
rate series of ladders and lifts which have
been devised by the resident engineer.
The lifts are worked by steam engines and
winches placed little below the perma
nent way. At each hoist there is shell
ter house, where the paint is mixed To
paint underneath the bridge platforms are
slung on wire ropes on the principle OF an
overhead railway and the painters on the
slender platform look down right on top OF
the steamers bound up the Firth, including
the battleships, for the moorings OF the
Forth guardships are above the bridge Oh
Queensferry A squad of Triggers is always
ahead of the painters erecting platforms
and securing tackle.
$50 long as the Forth bridge stands
and it has been built to endure for gener-
ations-so long will the painter brush
keep moving. The cost at the year end
is no triAe, but the bridge when paid fol
by the Great Northern, Northeastern, Mid
land and North British Railway Compan.
les totaled up SIG, 500, 600, and after
nearly IL years in no part has there beer
renewal required very good record FOL
so, 900 tons Of steel, 80 miles of bent
plates and $1,000 600 rivets. As the
painters are continuously on the move SO i
the bridge itself Allowance was made
for expansion and contraction and the rec
ord so far shows that the bridge has beer
293 inches longer at one period OF thu
year than at the other