CHAP. XVIII. NEWCASTLE AND BERWICK WORKS. 405 



for, sometimes held by a Scotch and sometimes by an 

 English garrison. Though strongly fortified, it was re- 

 peatedly taken by assault. On its capture by Edward I., 

 Boetius says, 17,000 persons were slain, so that its 

 streets " ran with blood like a river." Within sight of 

 the ramparts, a little to the west, is Halidon Hill, where 

 a famous victory was gained by Edward III., over the 

 Scottish army under Douglas ; and there is scarcely a 

 foot of ground in the neighbourhood but has been the 

 scene of contention in days long past. In the reigns of 

 James I. and Charles I., a bridge of fifteen arches was 

 built across the Tweed at Berwick ; and in our own day 

 a second railway-bridge of twenty-eight arches was 

 built a little above the old one, but at a much higher 

 level. The bridge built by the Kings, out of the national 

 resources, cost 15,000/., and occupied twenty-four years 

 and four months in the building ; the bridge built by 

 the Railway Company, with funds drawn from private 

 resources, cost 120,000/., and was finished in three years 

 and four months from the day of laying the foundation 

 stone. 



This important viaduct consists of a series of twenty- 

 eight semicircular arches, each 61 feet 6 inches in span, 

 the greatest height above the bed of the river bekig 

 126 feet. The whole is built of ashlar, with a hearting 

 of rubble ; excepting the river parts of the arches, 

 which are constructed with bricks laid in cement. The 

 total length of the work is 2160 feet. The foundations 

 of the piers were got in by coffer-dams in the ordinary 

 way, Nasmyth's steam-hammer being extensively used in 

 driving the piles. The bearing piles, from which the 

 foundations of the piers were built up, were each 

 capable of carrying 70 tons. The work was designed 

 by Robert Stephenson, and carried out by George 

 Barclay Bruce, who acted as resident engineer. 



Another bridge, of still greater importance, necessary 

 to complete the continuity of the East Coast route, was 



