Graft.] 454 [April 5 
The location of the bridge, and particularly its western abutment and 
approaches, presented some difficulties of construction, but were believed 
to have been fully guarded, and at the time considered by the board of 
commissioners and all connected with the work as ample to insure its per- 
manency. 
In 1866, a commission was appointed by an Act of Assembly to build 
a bridge across the Schuylkill at South street, under the general supervis- 
ion of Mr, Kneass, as Chief Engineer and Surveyor. The plans received 
from a number of bridge builders were referred by the commission to Mr. 
Kneass, who reported upon their relative merits, and recommended that sub- 
mitted by John W. Murphy, with certain important modifications ; among 
them the substitution of iron girders and cast-iron piers for the stone and 
brick arches over the marsh on the west side of the river. These suggestions 
were at first fully approved by the commission, but by subsequent action 
his advice was neglected, and the erection of the brick arches which he 
had condemned, and which have since failed, show their error in not 
being guided by the Chief Engineer and Surveyor, 
In April, 1869, under direction of Councils, plans of a bridge were 
called for at Powelton avenue, or Bridge street. Mr. Kneass recommended 
the site of the old wire suspension bridge at Callowhill street, and a 
double roadway truss bridge. The general plans for such a structure were 
approved October, 1868, but owing to the tardy action of Councils in au- 
thorizing a loan, and making the appropriation, the contracts for the 
bridge were not fully entered into, and the work commenced, until after 
he had resigned his position ; but the original designs were fully carried 
out by his successor. 
During the war, in 1862, in company with the late Colonel C. M. Eakin, 
he was engaged in making reconnoissance of the military approaches to 
the city, extending along the Susquehanna river, from Duncan’s Island 
to Havre de Grace. The work in the field and accompanying maps were 
highly useful at the time of Lee’s last raid into Pennsylvania. This report, 
with the maps, are now deposited in the office of the Department of Sur- 
veys. 
Mr. Kneass built the first street passenger road (the Fifth and Sixth or 
Frankford and Southwark) put in operation in this city, and then devised 
and established the form of tram rail, now used on all similar roads in this 
country. He subsequently acted as chief engineer of a number of the pas- 
senger roads of the city. 
In 1871, Mr. Kneass was selected as one of two engineers to make a sur - 
vey, and report upon the best means of draining or culverting Jones 
Falls, Baltimore, Md. 
During Mr. Kneass term of office he was officially one of the Board ot 
Jommissioners of Fairmount Park, and rendered essential service in that 
capacity; his knowledge of the ground covered by the Park and its sur- 
roundings being very useful. 
April 12, 1872, Mr. Kneass resigned his position as Chief Engineer and 
