A CHANNEL BRIDGE

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 1745, 20 January 1888, Page 2

A CHANNEL BRIDGE

The following details of a proposed bridge across the English Channel are taken from a French contemporary ;rThe " Kvenement " of Octob.-r 25 : : b states that a sohems for the < r ction of saoh abridge is m active consideration on the other side of the water. At the head of the projeot is Admiral Clove* and acting m connection with him are these wellknown engineers — Massrs Hersent, Fowler, and Baker ; the two latter representing Englaqd In the matter. .The piano have already bjen prepared, and they are at preaeat being exafaioed by skilled engineers at the Oreusbt Works. As the consel superieur des ponies it ehausses Is not unfavorable to the scheme, i as soon as the plans are approved active measures, it is expected, will be shortly begun. It la estimated that the cost will be somewhat about £40,C00,000, and tbe time required before it can be completed | seven years or more. Tho course proposed to be taken for the bridge .is from I Jranaux CEn I, a lttle place on the French coait oetwesn Ambleteusa and I Oape G.le-Vert, to Filkstone, on the English side, a distance cf about 22 miles. Not tha shortest, but the shallowest line will be chosen. Tae depth of the Channel Is o. mmm 1 ' supposed to be muoh graator than iis reaaty. Thero we two «hi\llowß between Oran-aux CE» s an^ Folkestone, where the deptn iB on./ about 20ft. They are named tho Colbert and the Warne, and they will of course make a material difference m laying the foundations and huge piles which will be required for this gigantic Btructure. From the French coast to the first of these shallows the depth is about 160 ft., and from the .other shallow to Folkestone about 100 ft The bridge will have two slight beoda, the first deviating a little to reach the Warne, the other falling back to reach Folkestone . The piles required ar«j blocks of concrets and m soary, IGOft long by 100 ft .broad, and will be placed at intervals of about 550 yds These measurements sound enormous, but it U stated to be quite possible that they may have to be Increased to give the bridge a st ength capable of bearing a weight of 25,000 tons. The oauisway of the bridge *»11 be about 100 ft above the sea level, so that vessels of any sizss may be able to pass beneath it. It will be 100 ft wide, and be divided into four Hoes for traia service, as well as way for foot passengers. Signal boxes and elidings will be placed along the whole length at equal distances. The bridge will be illuminated by electric light, each pile having a powerful eleotrip , light, attached to it, os well as fog horns and aUrm balls for use m foggy weather. Such are the outline . details of this enormous undertaking, which the projectors state they have full oonfidsnoe will be before long carried ont.