Evening star., 1928-11-18
PRESIDENT OPENS
JAMES RIVER SPAN
Brilliant and Elaborate Cere-
mony Dedicates Last
Coastal Link.
BY G. ADAMS HOWARD,
Amtnnnni,ila Editor nf The Star


NEWPORT NEWS, Va. November
17.-Amidst colorful setting the James
River Bridge, uniting the Virginia
Peninsula and the Norfolk Portsmouth
area, was formally opered here late
this afternoon by President Coolidge,
who, sitting in his executive office IN
the National Capital, pressed button
sending a spark over special wire
and causing the lowering Of the lift
span.
Immediately following. Miss Vir-
ginia," represented by Miss Woodroof
Hiden of Newport News, cut the ribbon
which barred the way of traffic, the
United States cruiser Marblehead
flashed her giant searchlight on the
span and the National Anthem was
played by the band of the Richmond
Blues.
Thus the last connecting link in the
Atlantic Coastal Highway, the passage
for vehicular traffic from the Far
North to the Far Eouth through the
most historic section of the Old
Dominion, became al actUality.
Governor Speaks.
Prior to the dedication of the
Az mile structure near the mouth OF
the jones short addresses we're de.
livared by Gov. Harry Flood Byrd of
virginia, Henry H. Little, president of
the Bridge Corporation, of Norfolk. and
r. G. Paine of the company financing
the $1,000 900 contract, of Boston.
Early in the day large crowd, num-
boring many thousands, assembled.
The event was marked by pageantry
and floats depicting the early colonial
days of the State. The military arm
of the Nation added its assistance to
the occasion. Planes and blimpS from
Langley Field encircled the air. The
battleship Texas lent her august
majesty to the scene. Half a dozen
bands with their contingents from Fort
Eustis, Fort Monroe, Newport News,
National Guardsmen. Hampton Roads
Naval Training Station. Langley Field,
Marine unit, Coast Artillery, Ameri-
can Legion. fraternal, civic and busi-
ness organizations, the Richmond Regi-
ment of Blues and the Boy Scouts en-
livened the scene.
The Blues acted as escort to the
governor.
Rc-enact Famous Battle.
OF special interest to the huge
famous battle between the Monitor and
two specially fitted ships.
1t was March 8, 1862 that the his
toric encounter took place. After long
continued firing the Confederate Merri-
mac. badly leaking withdrew from
Hampton Roads to Sewalls Point, the
outskirts of Norfolk today. The Monitor
Of the Federals did not pursue, but had
quieted forever the menace to Union
maritime service.
The Merrimac was finally destroyed
by the Confederates themselves, fearing
its capture, when they we're compelled
to eyacuate Norfolk in May of the same
year. The Monitor did not survive long
going to its destruction in a storm of
Charleston, S. c., the following Decem-
ber
Today the two "cheeseboxes," as they
were once termed, made realistic dis
play. only few miles from the historic
waters in which the conflict that so
much depended on took place a little
more than IS years ago. Small they
,ookod in comparison. as the search
lights Of the modern day ironclads
flashed upon them.
The proceedings ended with a fire.
works display.
The ceremonies are over but the
giant bridge raigns further connecting
the North and the South, now one great
Nation
Largest Vessels Can Pass.
The bridge. as it is. Is as high as a
History Office building. The two lift
towers rise more than 200 feet above
the surface of the James. Their func-
ton permits the passage by ships un-
derneath the span which stretches 800
feet across the channel, and is said to
be the longest direct driven structure
of the kind in existence. The lift span,
when raised, is lat feet above the water
According to engineers in charge of
construction. this height will allow safe
passage of the largest vessles afloat
For the Washington motorist. wish
ing to dispense with the heretofore
necessary ferries to Norfolk and Vir-
ginia, he can cross the James River
and drive over the two smaller bridges
spanning Chuckatuck Greek and the
Nansemord River, and arrive in the
Virginia seaport by Portsmouth and
Berkeley. Southwark from the James
River Bridge lie Suffolk, Petersburg anc
the Carolinas.
The bridge will be opened for traffic
at all hours.