SCHUYLKILL PERMANENT BRIDGE. 53 



had acquired the last degree of consolidation and settle- 

 ment : and even then it was uncertain and hazardous ; 

 as appeared by the result of the attempt before stated. 



During the erection of the pier, a great number of 

 workmen and labourers, were employed. Those en- 

 gaged within the dam, at the m.asonry, working without 

 apprehension of danger, sometimes by the light of many 

 lamps and lanterns, on the bed of a deep and often ra- 

 pid river, in an enclosure of complex and stupendous 

 construction, incessantly pressed by a form.idabie head 

 of water, exhibited, in connection with the busy scene 

 above — an interesting spectacle — curious — novel — and 

 entertaining: yet, at times, when dangers threatened, 

 or casualties occurred, not unattended Avith perplexing 

 and serious anxieties. 



Extracts from a report signed by the super intendant 

 Samuel Robinson^ (who with the master m.ason Thomas ^ 

 Vickers formed these reports) are subjoined; dated No- 

 vember ITlh 1801. There are several of these, con- 

 taining a curious history of difliculties and details ; som^e 

 whereof exhibit useful instruction. They will shew 

 some of the embarrassmerits, but by no means the whole, 

 attending the coffer dams. They will serve as guides^ 

 in future undertakings of this kind, or beacons to avoid 

 their use, if it can be dispensed with, however here they 

 v/ere unavoidable. European engineers would have 

 startled at placing dams on rocks, vvhich, though par- 

 tially covered, were in many parts bare, or so scantily 

 overspread with mud, or any tenacious substance, as to 

 afford no footing for the piles. Yet they succeeded, in 

 untaught but persevering hands ; whose zeal knew not 

 professional caution, overlooked danger, and supplied 



