Engineering Wonders of the World
Volume I

38 ENGINEERING WONDERS OF THE WORLD. A MAIN GIRDER BEING RAISED INTO POSITION. Photo, Great Western Railway Company. Indeed, so complete were the arrangements that, to prevent the attention of a captain being diverted from his supervisory duties by looking out for signals, lie was allotted a lieutenant whose sole function was to watch for signals, acknowledge them, and pass the message to his chief. The signals, which had to be acted on simultaneously at the different vessels, were made by red and white flags held in front of black boards, which were turned towards the vessel signalled to, and all signals were carefully rehearsed. September 1, 1857, was the day decided upon for the operation, and tens of , The thousands of people assembled Launch. ; , , . . to witness the launching ot the mass of ironwork which was to form the Cornish half of the bridge. Precisely at the appointed hour the pontoons were unmoored, capstans and guide ropes were set to work, and the unique craft commenced to move. Immediately a tremendous cheer was raised by the crowd on the Devonshire shore, and responded to with equal heartiness by specta- tors on the opposite bank. Then ensued an almost breathless silence as first one rope, then another, exerted pressure on the pontoons, in accordance with the signals of the engineer. Slowly and surely the structure was drawn into position and carefully adjusted. Water was admitted into the pontoons, and as the tide fell they were allowed to drift away, leaving the girder resting on the piers, the under side of the ironwork to carry the railway being only a few feet above the water. The occasion was celebrated locally as a