CHAP. XII. THE MENAI BRIDGE. 455 



of chain was attached to one end to make the chord 

 line 570 feet in length ; and experiments having been 

 made and comparisons drawn, Mr. Telford ascertained 

 that the absolute weight of one of the main chains of the 

 bridge between the points of suspension was 23^ tons, 

 requiring a strain of 39| tons to raise it to its proper 

 curvature. On this calculation the necessary apparatus 

 required for the hoisting was prepared. The mode of 

 action filially determined on for lifting the main chains, 

 and fixing them into their places, was to build the cen- 

 tral portion of each upon a raft 450 feet long and 6 feet 

 wide, then to float it to the site of the bridge, and lift it 

 into its place by capstans and proper tackle. 



At length all was ready for hoisting the first great 

 chain, and about the middle of April, 1825, Mr. Telford 

 left London for Bangor to superintend the operations. 

 An immense assemblage collected to witness the sight ; 

 greater in number than any that had been collected 

 in the same place since the men of Anglesea, in their 

 war-paint, rushing down to the beach, had shrieked 

 defiance across the Straits at their Roman invaders 

 on the Caernarvon shore. Numerous boats arrayed 

 in gay colours glided along the waters ; the day the 

 26th of April being bright, calm, and in every way 

 propitious. At half-past two, about an hour before 

 high water, the raft bearing the main chain was cast 

 off from near Treborth Mill, on the Caernarvon side. 

 Towed by four boats, it began gradually to move from 

 the shore, and with the assistance of the tide, which 

 caught it at its further end, it swung slowly and majes- 

 tically round to its position between the main piers, 

 where it was moored. One end of the chain was then 

 bolted to that which hung down the face of the Caer- 

 narvon pier ; whilst the other was attached to ropes 

 connected with strong capstans fixed upon the Anglesea 

 side, the ropes passing by means of blocks over the top 

 of the pyramid of the Anglesea pier. The capstans for 



