72 A STATISTICAL ACCOUNT OF THE 



" Our particular duty, as a committee, was to superintend 

 the execution of the plan. But as members of the board, wC 

 cannot avoid lamenting that the dangerous character, of the 

 river, its extraordinary depth and rocky bottom, forbad any 

 other mode, to ensure the stability of the piers, than that which 

 necessity compelled us to take. Every substitute we could 

 devise, or were informed of, even though some were only 

 plausible, or palpably visionary, were stated to Mr. Weston^ 

 than whom there are few, if any, among hydraulic engineers 

 more competent to judge. He decidedly advised us to the 

 mode we have adopted; warning us of the difficulties we had 

 to encounter. He disinterestedly gave instructions, and fur- 

 nished the plan of the coffer dam^ which is a pattern worthy 

 the imitation of all who engage in such enterprizes. Alter 

 experiencing the expence and difficulties in erecting our eas- 

 tern pier, we had no small apprehensions in undertaking the 

 present w^ork. We were flattered by our success ; and our 

 experience was in no small degree, essentially useful. But 

 we foresaw additional danger and expence in our present ob- 

 ject. We even wished, if an iron or wooden superstructure 

 were intended, to propose avoiding the sinking the present 

 dam and erecting this pier, by adopting an extended arch, 

 comprehending the breadth of the river, which in theory, 

 seemed practicable. We know that no iron superstructure of 

 such a span had been executed. W"e sent for Mr. Timothy 

 Palmer^ of Nexvhury Port^ a celebrated practical wooden 

 bridge architect. He viewed our site and gave us an ex- 

 cellent plan of a rt'oo^t'n superstructure. But he pointedly re- 

 probated the idea, of even a wooden arch extending farther 

 than between the position of our intended piers, to wit, 187 

 feet. He had at the Piscataxvay bridge, erected an arch of 

 244 feet ; but he repeatedly declared that, whatever might be 

 suggested by theorists, he would not advise, nor would he 

 ever again attempt extending an arch, even to our distance, 

 where such heavy transportation was constantly proceeding- 



