1921] on Severn Crossings and Tidal Power 317 



This feny, which was called by Bonch, its designer, " A Floating 

 Railway," was the forerunner of many other railway ferries in Great 

 Britain, and in America, and in the Continent. 



It was in particular the forerunner of the very useful war-time 

 Channel ferries, i.e. between — 



1. Richborough and Dunkirk. 



2. Richborough and Calais. 



3. Southampton and Dieppe. 



The Forth train ferry continued in operation until the opening 

 of the Forth Bridge in 1890. 



THE RIVER SEVERN is crossed at Gloucester by Telford's 

 150-feet span-arch bridge, and is tidal to Worcester, about 27 miles 

 higher up. The estuary below this has now only two regular means 

 of crossing, as the ferries at Old and New Passage have been disused 

 for many years. The two crossings are : — 



1. The Severn and Wye single-line railway bridge, about three- 

 quarters of a mile in length, which is situated about 26 miles by 

 water below Gloucester, and was opened in 1879. 



(Slides were exhibited showing several views of the Severn 

 Railway Bridge.) 



2. The Severn Tunnel, 4J miles in length, which is situated 

 about 14 miles below Severn Bridge, was opened in 1886, after 

 having occupied nearly fourteen years in construction. 



Considerable attention has been directed of late to the Severn 

 Estuary, both in connection with cross-communication and tidal 

 power, which latter involves the construction of a barrage. 



It is understood that the Great Western Railway Co. realises the 

 inadequacy of the present crossings, and wishes to proceed at once 

 with an additional one. 



The desirability of discussing both problems together with a view 

 to saving expense should accordingly be kept in view. 



It may be recalled that the efficient co-operation of the Metro- 

 politan Board of Works with the Metropolitan District Railway Co. 

 resulted in the simultaneous carrying out of two very fine pieces 

 of work between Westminister and Blackfriars Bridges, i.e. : — 



1. The Thames Embankment. 



2. The Metropolitan District Underground Railway. 



These two works together Avere the means of making a great 

 improvement at the minimum of cost to the public, and generally 

 they present a useful example of a method to be followed when 

 possible. 



Any barrage which is made ought to be adapted to both railway 

 and road traffic, and there should be no unnecessary ascent or 

 descent. 



It has lately been pointed out that the idea of damming the 

 Severn is at least a centnrv old. Telford was instructed about 1818 



z 2 



