2O Book of Engineering 



dry-shod over the Forth? Obviously it 

 would be one of the workmen and well 

 he deserved that honour. 



Two of them at length hit upon the plan 

 of throwing a ladder across the abyss; one 

 went to fetch a rope, with which to secure 

 the ladder in position. Whilst he was gone, 

 the other fellow, risking a terrible death, 

 actually tripped over the insecure ladder, 

 the waters of the Forth showing only too 

 plainly through the open spokes. Two 

 days passed and visitors had followed 

 less perilously, and then on the loth of 

 October the gap was filled in such a 

 manner that anyone might venture the 

 crossing. 



It should be made clear that there was 

 still a gap between the ends of the two 

 portions comprising the north centre 

 girder. This made a break of 60 feet in 

 the entire structure. It was filled on the 

 1 5th of October, so that within a month 

 the east and west were joined through- 

 out, and many visitors made the complete 

 crossing. 



