Rensselaer Semi-Weekly Republican, Volume 38, Number 30, Rensselaer, Jasper County, 29 December 1905 — A Wonderful Structure. [ARTICLE]

A Wonderful Structure.

One of the longest bridges in the world has been completed across one of the largest falls In the world, the Victoria falls. Central Africa, the width, height and volume of flowing water of which far outrivals the falls of Niagara. The bridge is proi>erly over the Zambesi river, just below the falls, nnd offers a magnificent view of them. It is one of the connecting links in the Cape-to-Ctiho Railroad, nnd is the most difficult piece of engineering executed in the entire enterprise. It is one of the longest steel arch bridges in the world, and has a clear span of 500 feet and crosses the gorge of the Zambesi nt a height of 420 feet above the water. It Is parabolic, two hinged, steel arch, composed of two ribs spaced 27 feet 0 Inches apart at the crown. The arch was built out from both ends, and as no staging or false work could be built up to the required height it was necessary to design the arch to withstand the strain of erection by anchoring the top chord. The method of anchoring was by boring two holes in ihe sollij rock 30 feet deep nnd 30 feet apart, nnd connectlug; them t>y a. t|Jnu<l'M'tire botThe author cables were nttach.ed to the top chord nnd then enrrlcif back nnd down one pit to the top, tlniM -securing them to a mass of rock So feet deep by 30 feet wide.