CHAP. XII. THE MENAI BRIDGE. 459 



which a temporary platform had been placed, and the 

 St. David steam-packet of Chester passed under the chains 

 towards the Smithy Kocks and back again, thus reopen- 

 ing the navigation of the Strait. In August the road 

 platform was commenced, and in September the trussed 

 bearing bars were all suspended. The road was con- 

 structed of timber in a substantial manner, the planking 

 being spiked together, with layers of patent felt between 

 the planks, and the carriage-way being protected by oak 

 guards placed seven feet and a half apart. Side railings 

 were added and toll-houses and approach-roads completed 

 by the end of the year ; and the bridge was opened for 

 public traffic on Monday, the 30th of January, 1826, 

 when the London and Holyhead mail-coach passed over 

 it for the first time, followed by the Commissioners of 

 the Holyhead roads, the engineer, several stage-coaches, 

 and a multitude of private persons too numerous to 

 mention. 



We may briefly add a few facts as to the quantities of 

 materials used, and the dimensions of this remarkable 

 structure. The total weight of iron was 2187 tons, in 

 33,265 pieces. The total length of the bridge is 1710 feet, 

 or nearly a third of a mile ; the distance between the 

 points of suspension of the main bridge being 579 feet. 

 The total sum expended by Government in its erection, 

 including the embankment and about half a mile of new 

 line of road on the Caernarvon side, together with the 

 toll-houses, was 120,000/. 



Shortly after the Menai Bridge was commenced, it was 

 determined by the Commissioners of the Holyhead road 

 that a bridge of similar design should be built over the 

 estuary of the Conway, immediately opposite the old 

 castle at that place, and which had formerly been crossed 

 by an open ferry boat. The first stone was laid on the 

 3rd of April, 1822, and, the works having proceeded 

 satisfactorily, the bridge and embankment approaching 

 it were completed by the summer of 1826. But the 



