Famous Bridges 15 



length; it forms a most valuable link, yet, 

 like our own Charing Cross Bridge, it has 

 been the subject of much debate and delay 

 in building. From end to end the bridge 

 is quite two miles, and it brings the growing 

 district south of the city into direct touch 

 with it. 



Some thousands of tons of silicon and 

 carbon steel have been incorporated in what 

 is a splendid monument to both the designer 

 and the builders. 



It seems almost incredible to old-time 

 railway travellers that the majestic Forth 

 Bridge is well on its way to celebrating 

 its jubilee. It seems only the other day 

 that they were having to turn out of their 

 train perhaps on a cold winter's night, 

 and take the steam ferry over a stretch of 

 water which could be singularly vicious at 

 times. 



If the ferry were to be avoided a distance 

 of something like seventy miles had to be 

 travelled by rail instead of twenty of to-day, 

 so obviously there was a case for a bridge 

 here if it could be built. 



