LONGEST IN WORLD

Dominion, Volume 27, Issue 59, 2 December 1933, Page 22

LONGEST IN WORLD

Bridge Over Zambesi River

WORK FOR FIVE YEARS

Particulars of what will be the longest bridge in the world, at present being built over the lower Zambesi River in the wilds of Portuguese East Africa, were brought to Sydney recently by Mr. J. A. Edge, accountant to the resident engineer (says the “Sydney Morning Herald”). He is en route to his home in Auckland, where he will spend six months’ furlough. The bridge, said Mr. Edge, which is being built by the Cleveland Bridge and Engineering Co., Ltd., was commenced in September, 1930, and is expected to be completed in 1935. It will have 33 spans each 390 feet long, and will be used only as a railway bridge on the Cape-to-Cairo route. The cost, it is estimated, will be more than £1,250,000 sterling.

Describing the conditions under which the bridge-builders worked, Mr. Edge said that the camp was 190 miles from the coastal town of Beira, and the only means of transport was by rail, the country being too rough for the construction of roads. The work was being carried out by about 100 white men aud 2000 natives. The majority of the natives were either Angoni or Anguru. The Anguru had an annoying custom of digging up dead bodies, and to prevent this, it was necessary to bury bodies between two layers of lime and' place a quantity of concrete on top of them. The Angoni. who had caused considerable trouble in the missionary days, bad become much more civilised, anil were excellent workers. The camp was situated close to the grave of Mrs. Livingstone, wife of the famous explorer, who was buried near a little Portuguese church. “Wild animals of every description prowl round the camp,” said Mr. Edsre “The first night I was there four lions passed the door of the hut, but the animals do not show any ferocity unless angered.” .Mr. Edge brought with him the skins of two Jeopards, which lie shot within a mile of the camp.