The Topeka state journal. [volume] (Topeka, Kansas) 1892-1980, 1907-08-30
estimated cost of the work was s1o,OOo,-
900.
The Largest Single Span.

The Quebec bridge was remarkable
in that it was to be the longest single
span cantilever bridge in the world,
the length of span in the center being
1,s00 feet, or 200 feet longer than that
of the Firth bridge, at present the
worlds longest single bridge span.
There has been no bridge across the
St Lawrence below Montreal At
Quebec traffic was ferried across the
river. This expense. being held re-
sponsible for the failure of Quebec to
grow. a number of citizens secured a
charter from the Dominion govern
ment to bridge the st. Lawrence. A
subsidy of 1 million dollars was Sc
cured from the Dominion and another
$3.50, 900 from the government or the
province of Quebec, while the city of
Quebec gave grant of 100000. The
promoters put up $650,000.
The contract was let for the erec-
ton of the stone work to M. p. Davis
& Co., and for the iron work to the
Phoenix Iron company of Phoenix
vile. Work was begun in 1900. The
original estimate of the cost was in
the neighborhood of $3,500,OOO, but
company, finding itself in difficulties
and the government needing the
bridge for the national trans-contin-
entail railroad, an agreement was
reached by which the government
agreed to guarantee the bonds of the
company up to S1.O0O,000. Under
this agreement construction has been
proceeding.
When completed. the bridge was to
have been for a double track railway.
At the time of the collapse, the camille
yer sDan on the south side of the river
had been completed as well as the ap-
preaching span, and some 200 feet OF the
connecting span between the cantil-
eVers.
The southern extension of the bridge
which collapsed was rapidly nearing the
zenith of the immense steel arch which
was to span the river. For 800 feet
from the shore the massive steel struc-
ture reared an arch with no supports
save the piers from the shore and one
pier in the river about $50 feet from the
shore, while the outward extremity was
$50 feet above the water. The end of
the half arch bent down a trifle and
a moment later the whole enormous
fabric began to give way, slowly at
first then with a terrific crash which
was plainly heard in Quebec and which
shook the whole countryside so that
the residents rushed out of their houses
thinking that an earthquake had oc-
CURED.
Can't Understand 1t.
Philadelphia Aug. 3O.-The Phoenix
Bridge company which has the con-
tract for building the bridge which col
Iapsed yesterday near Quebec has Of
fees in this city. The plant is at
Phoenixville. Pa. The news of the ac-
companv officials Four representa-
rives were sent to Quebec todav and
until their report is received the COM
pany will make no statemnet- The
officials of the concern say they have
no ideal Of the monetary loss incurred.
Mr.. Davis, the treasurer, said:
'I pray that the loss of life is not
so great sreported. 1t do not know
how it happened. I thought every
thin was going we'll up there. We
had entire charge Of the construction
and had 200 men at work under A. B.
Milligan of Phoen;xville."
The great bridge was built in sec
tions at the works of the company and
was bolted together at QQuebec.