402 UNITED STAtES, 



The tliree gl'eat objects, convenience 

 ^trength^ and durability , are ali happily united in 

 the model adopted. ...nor has ornament been wholly 

 thrown aside. The access to the bi'idge on either 

 side, and throughout the whole extent of the plat- 

 form, presents to the traveller a plane without any . 

 sensible rising. ' •m 



With regard to strength we can only speak by a 

 comparison with other structures upon a similar 

 principle. The two bridges across the Hudson river, 

 at Waterford and Fort Miller, constructed under the 

 superintendance of Mr. Burr, and the one across the 

 Connecticut river at Springfield, by Mr, Walcott, 

 are all spoken of in terms of high approbation. Our 

 bridge, we are assured by Mr. Burr, combines double 

 the strength of either of them ; but what constitutes 

 the greatest excellence of the Delaware bridge, is the 

 prospect of its durability.. ..the permanency of the 

 f,tone work is not to be questioned, and by the pro- 

 posed covering, the stamina, or main parts of the 

 wooden superstructure, will be effectually protected 

 from decay by the wet, while those parts exposed to 

 injury from the weather, are ail susceptible of the 

 most complete repair. 



The bridge was finished in the month of February,' 

 1806. 



Schuylkill Bridge,, .The westernmost pier of the 

 Isridge is sunk in a depth of water, unexampled iu 

 hydraulic architecture in any part of the world.... 

 the top of the rock on which it stands, being forty- 

 one feet nine inches below common high tides. Both 

 piers were built within cofferdams. The dam for 

 the westjern pier was of original and peculiar con- 



