A Channel Bridge.

Te Aroha News, Volume V, Issue 250, 28 March 1888, Page 9

A Channel Bridge.

The following details of a proposed bridge across tho English Channel arc taken from a French contemporary :— Tho "Kynement" of October 25th states that u scheme for the erection of such a bridge is in activo con.-'ideialion on the 'other side of the wateV. At the head of the project is Admiral Clone, and aetiny in connection with him arc three well-known engineers, Messrs Hernent, Fowler, and Baker, tho two latter representing England in the matter. The plans ha\e already been pivpaied, and are at present being examined by .skilled engineer" at the Ciciihot Works. As the cowtcil >ii]Krieur dcs pout* ft chnn-^<"> is nob unfavourable to tho scheme, as soon as tho plans are approved, active measures it i.s expected will shoi tly be begun. Jb is estimated that the cost will hv somewhere about L'^o,ooo,ooo, and the time tcquhed before it can be completed, seven years or more Tho course proposed to be taken with the bridge is fiom Cian - au\ - <r,ufs, a little place on the Fiench coast between Amblotiiu.se nnd Capo (Jris-Neit, to Koike— iitono, on tho 13m;liah fide, a distance of about 22 mile J . Not tho shortest but the shallowest lino will be cho.^en. Tho depth of the Channel is commonly supposed to be much gi eater than it is in lo.ility. Theie aio two ,-^alo\\f between Cran-au\-<Kuts and Folkestone wheic the depth is only about 20 feet. They arc named the Colbait and tho Warne, and they will, of coui-e, make a material diilerenee in laying the foundations and huge piles which will be lequircd lor the gigantic .stmctuie. From the French coast to tho iirst of the->e the depth is about 100 ft., and ft cm the other shallow to Folkestone about lOOtt. The bridge will have two slight bends, the lirst deviating a little to reach the Warne, the other ialling back to reach Folkestone. Tho piles required aj-c blocks of conciete and masonry, 160 ft. long by 100 ft. broad, and will be placed at intervals of about 550 yaid.s. These measurements .sound cnormou", but it is stated to be quite possible that they may have to be mci eased to give the bridge a strength capable of bearing a weight of 25,000 tons. The causeway j of tho biidge would be about 1601t. above the -ea level, so that vessels of any si/c may be able to pass beneath it. It will be I 100 ft wide, and bo divided into lour lines ! for train service, as well as a way tor foot passongeis, signal boxes and slidings will bo placed, along the whole length at equal distances. The bridge will be illuminated by electric liaht, each pile having a powerful electric lamp attached to it, as well as fog horns and alarum bells for use in foggy weather. Such are the outline detail 1 * of this enormous nuclei taking, which the projectors f-tafe they have full confidence will be before long carried out.