MISHAP AT VICTORIA BRIDGE

Northern Advocate, 7 February 1936, Page 6

MISHAP AT VICTORIA BRIDGE

SNAG IN RIVER PUNCTURES BARGE

Event No. 2 in the flood history of the Victoria Bridge occurred last night. Briefly, the barge with the derrick and engine for the process of driving piles became submerged, after striking a snag caused by the recent flood. Workmen were engaged until the early hours of tfifs morning pumping and bringing her to the surface once again.

Last week-end the x'aging torrent gouged a hole, 10ft. deep at low water, on the north-eastern side of the bridge. It was here tharihe barge was moored while the driving of piles was proceeding. '

Yesterday a snag, with the receding

of the tide, drove a hole about 6 inches by 8 inches in the bottom. The batrgs quickly fiTied and sank, being covered by about 3 feet of water.

Before pumping operations could be commenced, a wait until 11 o’cibck for low water was necessary. At that time a gang of about half a dozen men, under the direction of Mr Sisjscns, the foreman, and Mr H. W. Cor-mr-ck, the borough engineer, with two oil pumps, started to rid her of the water. With still 19 inches on the j bottom, two men went below, and using three Ift. by 3ft. 7 in. planks, constructed two cylinders over the gap, so that the water was checked and the barge gradually came to the surface again. The whole .process occupied about three hours, and work was done under | floodlight. j The next step was to remove her to j safe: moorings. This was accomplished j about 4 o’clock and another anxious (night was ended.

[ The Mayor, Mr W. Jones, told an “Advocate” reporter this morning that he considered It a very fine accomplishment on the part of the workers. “Many experts who were present last night” he said, “were of opinion that it would take a week to put her right

again.” Mr Jones himself was on deck Until 2 o’clock.