The Life of George Stephenson and of his Son Robert Stephenson Comprising Also a History of the Invention and Introduction of the Railway Locomotive

CHAPTER XVIII.

Chapter 2192 wordsPublic domain

CHESTER AND HOLYHEAD RAILWAY--MENAI AND CONWAY BRIDGES.

George Stephenson Surveys a line from Chester to Holyhead.--Robert Stephenson afterward appointed Engineer.--The Railway Works under Penmaen Mawr.--The Crossing of the Menai Strait.--Various Plans proposed.--A Tubular Beam determined on.--Strength of wrought-iron Tubes.--Mr. William Fairbairn consulted.--His Experiments.--Professor Hodgkinson.--Chains proposed, and eventually discarded.--The Bridge Works.--The Conway Bridge.--Britannia Bridge described.--Floating of the Tubes.--Robert Stephenson's great Anxiety.--Raising of the Tubes.--The Hydraulic Press bursts.--The Works completed.--Merits of the Britannia Bridge. 438