The times dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1903-1914, 1912-09-12
AUTOMOBILE

Kuper, Colonel Bent Jones. ALDER,
! Fink, General j VI. St. John. Horny
Fink. Colonel Alfred I. Rives. Chas.
O Talcott Colonel z. NJ Il Talcott.
Major L. r D. Myers. Rudolph Fink.
Major Ro. H Temple. Major Peyton
Randolph. John Mcleod. Colonel John
q Clark. Chas. II. Latrobe. RIO. II.
F!tzhugh, Colonel Richard Morton.
John NJ Robinson. Major John " law.
son, Shaler Smith. Frederick II.
smith. Claiming NJ Bolton. Major CON
way L. Howard Captain John G Aieem.
Edward Sheppard. Captain Lawrence
". Dade. Captain Henry " F'itzhuph.
Richard ana George Talco,t and w.
NJ 5. Dunn The writer knew person
ally. al OF these men. and was at
some time associated professionally
with nearly every one OF them.
But lew are living OF this long list
OF distinguished engineers.
Generals Mahono. Rodcs. Trimble
and ST. John RaI arne distinguished
general officers OF The C. 5. a. 1S6t-65.
ana many OF the others named. served
with distinction IN that army
II remember correctly. Albert Fink
began his career IN this country with
Benz. H. Latrobe in building the Ba!ti-
more and Ohio Railroad and its ex-
engineer, general manager. and presi-
dent Of the Louisville and Nashville
Railroad. president OF the Louisville
Bridge Company and Commissioner OF
the Southern Hallway and Steamship
Association RIO designed and built
some Of tho great bridges OF the
country. and was the originator Of
the Fink Truss Bridge.
To show tho changes which have
taken place in railway construction
IN few years. the writer was engaged
in 1878 IN constructing the Short
Line Railway" between Louisville and
Cincinnati with General St John as
chief engineer. 1t became necessary TO
bridge tho Ohio River between New
port and Cincinnati to connect with the
Pennsylvania Railroad system, and the
important question OF length OF span
had to 30 decided.
The coal barge interests on the
ohio River opposed strenuousiy the
bridging Of the OHIO. claiming in
reference with navigation. and the
question was thoroughly discussed
before submitting tho plans for the
approval Of the War Department
Mr.. Albert Fink. then the authority
on bridge construction In this country.
was appealed too say what was the
| greatest length OF span for a single
track truss bridge practicable
After careful consideration he wrote
to his friend. General st. John, chief
] engineer, saying: THAT 800 feet was
the maximum length for truss bridge,
and one OF greatest length would fall
OF it's own weight" Think what has
been done since that date. The writer
built two spans OF 5O7 feet eacn over
the Susque hanna River; one a
J "throueh'-the other a deck" span.
and many others have been construct
ed do not refer to suspension or to
cantor lever bridges. Mr.. Albert Fink
( was not only a great engineer. but one
/ Of the pioneers in the solution OF the
intricate traffic problems of this coun-
| try.
Mr.. Henry Fink Joined General VIM.
| Malone soon after coming TO this cnrn
try. in tho construction OF the Norfolk
and Petersburg Railroad-his FIRST
work. II ! remember correctly. be,ag
! the construction of tho bridge over
! the Elizabeth River which carried the
/ read into Norfolk.
General Malone was chief engineer.
and although his experience to that
/ date as constructing engineer Che
| graduated at the virginia Military
Institute OF Lexington), had been limit
| ed to The construction OF the Bruins
| wick Plank Road" for highway uses.
| he showed marked ability. The Nor
! folk and Petersburg Railroad was adj
! mirably located, and has one Of the
longest straight lines in this country.
and WAS one Of the best built railroads
OF that period.
Afterwards the y. & T.. The South
side and the Virginia and Tennessee
| folk. Va. to Bristol. Tenn. were con-
| solidated ne tho Atlantic Nfiseiasinn nj