A CHANNEL BRIDGE.

Tuapeka Times, Volume XX, Issue 1427, 8 February 1888, Page 5

A CHANNEL BRIDGE.

The following details of a proposed bridge across the English Channel are taken from a French contemporary.; — The " Eynemeut " of October 25th stales that a scheme for the erection of such a bridge is in active consideration on the other side of the water. At the head of the project is Admiral Clouo, and acting in connection with him are three wellknown engineers, Messrs Hersenfc, Fowler, and Baker, the two latter representing England in the matter. The plans have already been prepared, and are at present boing examined by skilled engineers at the Creusot Works. As the conseil superieur ties ponts et cluiusses is not unfavourable, to the scheme, as soon as the plans are approved, active measures it is expected, will be shortly begun. It is estimated that the cost will be somewhere about L.4.0,000,000, and the time required before it can be completed, sevpn years or more. The course proposed to be taken with the bridge is from Cran-aux-GiJufs, a little place on the French coait between Ambleteuse and Cape Gris-Nert, to Folkestone, on the English side, a dis'.ance of about 22 miles. Not the shortest but the shallowest line will be chosen. The depth of the Channel is commonly supposed to be much greater than it is in reality. There are two shallows between Cran-aux-CEnfa and Folkestone, where the depth is only about 20 feet. They are named the Colbart and the Warne, and they will, of course, make a mateiial difference in laying the foundations and huge piles which will be required for the gigantic structure. From the French coast to the first of these shallows the depth is about 100 ft., and from the other shallow to Folkestone about lOOfh. The bridge will have two slight bends, the first deviating a little to reach the Warne, the other falling back to reach Folkestone. The piles required are blocks of concrete and m«sonry, 160 ft. long by 100 ft. broad, and will be placed at intervals of about 550 yards. These measurements sound enormous, but ifc is stated to be quite possible that they may have to be increased to give the bridge a strength cipable of bearing a weight of 25,000 tons. The causeway of the bridge would be about 160 ft. above the sea level, so that vessels of any siza may be able to paas beneath it. It will be lOOFt wide, and be divided into four lines for train service, as well as a way for foot passengers ; signal boxes and sliding will be placed along the whole length at equal distances. The bridge will be illumiuated by electric light, 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 details of this enormous undertaking:, which the projectors state they have full confidence will be before long carried out.