Notes:

• Dredge patent bridge.
• Closed in 2010 due to safety concerns. Scheduled to be largely rebuilt as a replica, starting April 2013 to be completed April 2014. Temporary truss installed through the bridge to permit traffic during the refurbishment. Reopened January 2015.

External Links:

• The Happy Pontist: Bath Bridges: 2. Victoria Bridge
• Structurae - Structure ID 20074523

Notes:

• Destroyed by flood 1838, rebuilt 1840, wrecked by wind 1850, rebuilt 1851, damaged by floods 1886, rebuilt 1887, rebuilt 1914.
• Replaced by 1931 Cavaillon - Cavaillon, Vaucluse and Bouches-du-Rhône, France.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20016374

Notes:

• Connected l'Ile Saint-Louis and Quai St. Bernard.
• AAJ says replaced in 1863, but the current bridge at this location (Pont Sully) was not completed until 1876.
• Companion to 1837 Damiette - Paris, France.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20032321

Notes:

• AAJ: It connected "the Quai of Célestins with the l'Ile Saint-Louis on one side, and with the I'lle of Louviers on the other."
• Companion to 1837 Constantine - Paris, France.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20032320

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20013745

Notes:

• The current (2022) bridge at this location is built on the piers of the suspension bridge.

Notes:

• Destroyed 1940, temporarily rebuilt, destroyed 1944.
• Replaced by 1953 Ancenis - Ancenis, Loire-Atlantique and Le Fourneau, Maine-et-Loire, France.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20008476

Notes:

• AAJ lists this bridge as completed in 1835.
• Near 1845 Couthures - Couthures-sur-Garonne, Lot-et-Garonne, France.
• Replaced by 1932 Marmande (Renaud Jean) - Marmande, Lot-et-Garonne, France.

Notes:

• 1930: The bridge is strengthened. The suspension system is replaced, the deck is stiffened with a plate girder system, and the pairs of end pylons are transformed to (or replaced with) towers with gothic arches.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20006535

Notes:

• Later at same location 1950 Tournus - Tournus, Saône-et-Loire, France.

External Links:

• Pont suspendu à Tournus - 1838

External Links:

• Art-et-Histoire - Pont de Balbigny - 1839

Notes:

• Collapsed under weight of maching troops, April 16, 1850, killing more than 200 soldiers. Collapse precipitated French virtual moratorium on suspension bridge building bringing to a close the prolific era of French wire cable suspension bridges.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20004743

Notes:

• Damaged by flood 1843, closed until 1844, destroyed 1944. Towers still standing, 2005.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20010536

External Links:

• Charles Albert Bridge - HighestBridges.com
• Structurae - Structure ID 20002116

Notes:

• Replaced in the 1890s by a (likely) cantilever bridge having the general shape of a suspension bridge.
• AAJ writes: "the first use of triangular bracing between double chain cables" and mentions that it was dismantled and moved to Hessisch Oldendorf 1880-1890 or 1899. Most accounts suggest the bridge was reassembled in the 1898-1899 time frame.
• Moved to 1899 Weserbrücke - Hessisch Oldendorf and Fuhlen, Germany.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20051983

Notes:

• Was at location of present-day Pont Wilson.
• Rebuilt, 1850.
• Near 1845 College (Collège) - Lyon, Métropole de Lyon, France.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20003382

Notes:

• Heavily damaged by flood debris, 1843.
• Later at same location 1939 Manosque - Manosque, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, France.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20012660

Notes:

• Wrecked by wind 1852, rebuilt, damaged 1866, 1869, 1870, and 1871. After the 1871 repairs, it was restricted to foot traffic. It was replaced in 1911 by an arch. Approaches extant (next to the later suspension bridge), 2004.
• Next to 1960 Roche-Bernard - La Roche-Bernard, Morbihan, France.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20004742

Notes:

• This is perhaps one of the most fanciful large suspension bridges ever built.
• Destroyed in a storm, 1869. Its replacement (a truss bridge) was completed in 1883. The approaches and the bottom halves of the suspension bridge towers were strengthened and used for the replacement.
• AAJ citing Engineering News-Record: "Vergès used inclined tie cables running from the top of the tower at one end of a span to a roadway-level connection on the opposite tower."

External Links:

• Structurae - Cubzac Bridge. Photos of the replacement truss structure.
• Structurae - Structure ID 20000898

Notes:

• Damaged by flood, 1840. Rebuilt and reopened, 1843. Damaged by floods, 1856 and 1881.
• Replaced by 1931 Teil - Le Teil, Ardèche and Montélimar, Drôme, France.

Notes:

• Various sources suggest completed 1837-1839. The bridge may have initially failed upon its completion in 1837 and then opened in 1839.

Notes:

• 1919, May 9: An overloaded truck carrying logs causes the failure of several suspenders and collapse of a large section of the deck.
• Near 1834 Zaehringen (Grand Pont Suspendu) - Fribourg, Switzerland.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20006448

Notes:

• 1925: Replaced by a Gisclard suspension bridge reusing the approach spans and piers of the 1840 suspension bridge.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20000883

Notes:

• Replaced by 1927 Montjean-sur-Loire - Montjean-sur-Loire, Maine-et-Loire, France.

Notes:

• Replaced by 1937 Aiguilly - Roanne vicinity and Vougy vicinity, Loire, France.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20016223

Notes:

• Design based on James Dredge's taper principle patent.

Notes:

• This location is now crossed by the Legion Bridge (Legii Most).

Notes:

• 1870: Heavily damaged during Franco-Prussian war.
• 1872: Repairs completed.
• Replaced by 1935 Châteauneuf-sur-Loire - Châteauneuf-sur-Loire, Loiret, France.

External Links:

• Pont de Châteauneuf-sur-Loire - Wikipedia
• Structurae - Structure ID 20008477

Notes:

• Destroyed by flood 1846, rebuilt 1848, damaged by flood 1856, rebuilt 1857.
• Replaced by 1931 Châtillon-sur-Loire - Châtillon-sur-Loire, Loiret, France. Built on same piers.

External Links:

• Pont de Châtillon-sur-Loire — Wikipédia
• Structurae - Structure ID 20008482

Notes:

• See 1931 Verdun-sur-Garonne - Verdun-sur-Garonne, Tarn-et-Garonne, France. The relationship between the older and current bridges is unclear.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20086318

Notes:

• Built as part of same project as 1842 (footbridge) - London, England, United Kingdom.
• Built as part of same project as 1842 (footbridge) - London, England, United Kingdom.
• Built as part of same project as 1842 (footbridge) - London, England, United Kingdom.
• Built as part of same project as 1842 (footbridge) - London, England, United Kingdom.

Notes:

• Built as part of same project as 1842 (footbridge) - London, England, United Kingdom.
• Built as part of same project as 1842 (footbridge) - London, England, United Kingdom.
• Built as part of same project as 1842 (footbridge) - London, England, United Kingdom.
• Built as part of same project as 1842 (footbridge) - London, England, United Kingdom.

Notes:

• Built as part of same project as 1842 (footbridge) - London, England, United Kingdom.
• Built as part of same project as 1842 (footbridge) - London, England, United Kingdom.
• Built as part of same project as 1842 (footbridge) - London, England, United Kingdom.
• Built as part of same project as 1842 (footbridge) - London, England, United Kingdom.

Notes:

• Built as part of same project as 1842 (footbridge) - London, England, United Kingdom.
• Built as part of same project as 1842 (footbridge) - London, England, United Kingdom.
• Built as part of same project as 1842 (footbridge) - London, England, United Kingdom.
• Built as part of same project as 1842 (footbridge) - London, England, United Kingdom.

Notes:

• Built as part of same project as 1842 (footbridge) - London, England, United Kingdom.
• Built as part of same project as 1842 (footbridge) - London, England, United Kingdom.
• Built as part of same project as 1842 (footbridge) - London, England, United Kingdom.
• Built as part of same project as 1842 (footbridge) - London, England, United Kingdom.

Notes:

• Next to 1834 Louis-Philippe (de la Reforme) - Île St-Louis, Paris, France.

Notes:

• Destroyed by flood, 1843.
• Replaced by 1856 Les Mées - Les Mées, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, France.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20032355

Notes:

• Replaced by the famous bi-level Dom Luís I arch bridge. Towers of the suspension bridge are extant at the foot of the Dom Luís I bridge.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20008650

Notes:

• Structurae has the bridge completed in 1922 (with a 1941 reconstruction) and AAJ suggests the bridge was completed 1924-1927, but older images of the bridge show an older bridge consistent with the 1843 date. The later dates represent reconstructions. The current bridge has steel cables.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20013933

External Links:

• Le Pont Suspendu de Seraing. Main page: Les ponts metalliques historiques belges.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20008871

Notes:

• Replaced by a concrete arch, 1939.

Notes:

• At time of completion, Ottawa was still known as Bytown.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20007336

Notes:

• This distinctly Dredge bridge is currently sitting atop modern concrete piers.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20074525

Notes:

• Near 1838 Marmande - Marmande, Lot-et-Garonne, France.

Notes:

• Destroyed 1870. Rebuilt 1875.

Notes:

• Replaced by 1928 Volonne - Volonne, Alpes-de-Haute-Provence, France.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20018834

Notes:

• Coordinates indicate the approximate former location of this bridge.

Notes:

• Damaged by drifting boat, 1854. Rebuilt, 1856. Bombed, 1944. Rebuilt, 1946. Demolished, 1953.
• Crossed at present-day location of Pont Maréchal de Lattre de Tassigny.
• Originally constructed with two suspended spans. When it was rebuilt in 1856, towers were added increasing the number of suspended spans to six.
• Near 1845 College (Collège) - Lyon, Métropole de Lyon, France.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20022553

External Links:

• Wikipedia - Pont du Robinet
• Structurae - Structure ID 20003002

Notes:

• This was the three-span south section of the Saint-Symphorien bridge.
• 1940-1944: The Saint-Symphorien bridge is destroyed by French troops in June 1940 to slow the German army. Repaired in 1943. Destroyed again in 1944 by the German army. It is unclear whether both the north and south bridges were destroyed during these events.
• Connects to 1847 Saint-Symphorien - Tours, Indre-et-Loire, France.
• Replaced by Saint-Symphorien - Tours, Indre-et-Loire, France.

External Links:

• Passerelle Saint-Symphorien - Wikipedia
• Structurae - Structure ID 20008484

Notes:

• Large masonry towers. Main span of 180 meters is unusually large for a French bridge of this decade.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20057028

Notes:

• Later at same location 1954 Viviers - Viviers, Ardèche and Châteauneuf-Du-Rhône, Drôme, France.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20062498

Notes:

• BPL: Completed 1848. RDH/BDR: Completed 1848, not used until 1849.
• Originally constructed to carry the Delaware and Hudson Canal. Converted to a one-lane vehicular bridge soon after the canal closed in 1898. Substantially restored in 1980's and 1990's, but retains original cables.
• Built as part of same project as 1849 Lackawaxen Aqueduct - Lackawaxen, Pennsylvania, USA.
• Built as part of same project as 1851 High Falls Aqueduct - High Falls, New York, USA.
• Built as part of same project as 1851 Neversink Aqueduct - Cuddebackville, New York, USA.
• Near 1849 Lackawaxen Aqueduct - Lackawaxen, Pennsylvania, USA.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20000260

Notes:

• William Dredge was the son of James Dredge known for his "taper principle" bridge design. Based on the description of the Shadwell bridge (in the sources cited by Jakkula), it is unclear if this Shadwell bridge followed Williams' father's design. 1848 is assumed as the year of completion based on the October 7, 1848 Mechanics' Magazine article cited by Jakkula which starts "A foot-suspension bridge has just been erected..."

Notes:

• Don Sayenga notes, the bridge was designed by W.T. Clark, but built by Adam Clark (no relation).
• 1945: Destroyed during WWII, rebuilt 1949.
• 2020: Major rehabilitation project expected to start May, 2021.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20000455

Notes:

• Replaced 1836 Fourneau - Le Fourneau, Bourbon-Lancy vicinity, Saône-et-Loire and Allier, France.

Notes:

• Replaced by Jaulgonne - Jaulgonne and Varennes, Aisne, France.

Notes:

• BPL says 1848, RDH says same, but not used until 1849.
• Built as part of same project as 1848 Delaware Aqueduct (Roebling Aqueduct) - Lackawaxen, Pennsylvania and Minisink Ford, New York, USA.
• Built as part of same project as 1851 High Falls Aqueduct - High Falls, New York, USA.
• Built as part of same project as 1851 Neversink Aqueduct - Cuddebackville, New York, USA.
• Near 1848 Delaware Aqueduct (Roebling Aqueduct) - Lackawaxen, Pennsylvania and Minisink Ford, New York, USA.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20007339

Notes:

• Damaged by lightning 1859 and repaired. Cables cut during war 1870 and repaired in 1874.
• Replaced by 1937 Langeais - Langeais, Indre-et-Loire, France. However, the 1849 bridge may have been largely before the 1937 bridge.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20008483

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20017972

Notes:

• A second bridge at Tournon, by Seguin, approximately 100 meters downstream from his 1825 bridge. Restored 1989.
• Near 1825 Tain-Tournon - Tournon-sur-Rhône, Ardèche and Tain, Drôme, France.
• Near 1958 Gustave Toursier - Tournon-sur-Rhône, Ardèche and Tain-L'Hermitage, Drôme, France.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20000896

Notes:

• Was still part of Virginia at time of completion.
• 1854: Rebuilt after it was wrecked by a windstorm. Contrary to popular myth, the rebuilding was undertaken by Ellet and his assistant William K. McComas, not by John A. Roebling.
• 1860: Overhauled. Popular myth often attributes this work to the Roeblings. WHSB attributes this work to William K. McComas. After this overhaul, the bridge still does not have the distinctive diagonal cable stays that give it the appearance of a Roebling bridge.
• 1872: Overhauled according to a design by Washington Roebling. John A. Roebling had died in 1869 and was not involved with this work. WHSB notes, "The design essentially Roeblingized the bridge with the diagonal cable stays that are such a prominent feature of the bridge."
• 2019, September: Closed to vehicular traffic indefinitely due to safety concerns after repeated overweight vehicle violations.
• 2020, November: Bids being evaluated for renovation project. Bridge remains closed to vehicular traffic.
• 2021, April: Single bid received was rejected. Bids expected to be resolicited in June. The bridge remains closed to all vehicular traffic.
• 2022, February: $17.9 million renovation project expected to start soon.
• Became longest suspension bridge by eclipsing 1834 Zaehringen (Grand Pont Suspendu) - Fribourg, Switzerland.
• Eclipsed by new longest suspension bridge 1867 John A. Roebling (Cincinnati, Cincinnati and Covington) - Cincinnati, Ohio and Covington, Kentucky, USA.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20000478

Notes:

• Collapsed 1855, rebuilt, destroyed 1862 (possibly 1863). Was at site of present-day Woodland Street Bridge.
• Replaced by 1866 (suspension bridge) - Nashville and Edgefield, Tennessee, USA.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20007340

External Links:

• Kettenbrücke (Aarau) - Wikipedia. Notes bridge was opened for traffic December 28, 1850 and officially inaugurated January 6, 1851.
• Structurae - Structure ID 20043577

Notes:

• Destroyed, 1871, to slow the advancing Prussian army.

External Links:

• Pont du Greffier - Wikipedia

Notes:

• BPL, AAJ say completed 1848, RDH says not used until 1851 canal season.
• Heavy damaged by fire, 1921.
• Built as part of same project as 1848 Delaware Aqueduct (Roebling Aqueduct) - Lackawaxen, Pennsylvania and Minisink Ford, New York, USA.
• Built as part of same project as 1849 Lackawaxen Aqueduct - Lackawaxen, Pennsylvania, USA.
• Built as part of same project as 1851 Neversink Aqueduct - Cuddebackville, New York, USA.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20007341

Notes:

• Wrecked by wind February 1, 1864. Stay cables beneath the bridge had been disconnected to avoid damage from rising ice. Portions of the cables and deck remained, in a derelict state, as late as 1895. Replacement was not started until the late 1890's.
• The February 3, 1864 edition of Niagara Falls Gazette describes the wind event: "Partial Destruction Of The Lewiston Suspension Bridge -- A portion of the flooring and other wood-work of the Lewiston Suspension Bridge was blown down during the gale Monday forenoon. It seems that the long guys had been cut during the late ice jam to prevent injury to the structure and thus its strength to withstand a gale was much weakened. The wind swept through the gorge on Monday with terrific force and swayed the bridge so that some of the cross timbers, near the centre were loosened from their fastenings, and fell, of course carrying the floor with them. A large portion at each end, remains without material injury. The extent of the damage -- financially -- we have not yet learned, but we judge from what we hear that it may be about $10,000. The bridge was built in 1852 and cost not far from $40,000. It will doubtless soon be repaired and in use."
• Later at same location 1899 Lewiston-Queenston - Lewiston, New York, USA and Queenston, Ontario, Canada.
• See 1849 Wheeling (Wheeling and Belmont) - Wheeling, West Virginia, USA. The 1851 Lewiston-Queenston bridge is sometimes claimed to have become the longest in the world with a main span surpassing the length of the Wheeling suspension bridge. However, Don Sayenga notes the length of the suspended span of the Lewiston-Queenston bridge was only 849 feet, not the 1,043 feet sometimes cited. Don writes: "[1,043 feet] was the distance between the towers built high up on the cliffs above the crossing - because there was no space for them below. The roadway suspended from the towers was only 849 feet span over the water from abutment to abutment." Thus, Roebling's Cincinnati bridge should be considered the first to eclipse Wheeling's record main span.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20007333

Notes:

• BPL says 1849, RDH says not used until 1851 canal season.
• Built as part of same project as 1848 Delaware Aqueduct (Roebling Aqueduct) - Lackawaxen, Pennsylvania and Minisink Ford, New York, USA.
• Built as part of same project as 1849 Lackawaxen Aqueduct - Lackawaxen, Pennsylvania, USA.
• Built as part of same project as 1851 High Falls Aqueduct - High Falls, New York, USA.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20007334

Notes:

• An early attempt at a railroad suspension bridge, it was significantly reconstructed (because of excessive vibrations and increasing loads) by Julius W. Adams in 1857 to have three spans of 120, 163, and 163 feet. It is unclear whether the new structure was also a suspension bridge.
• HOF describes the location as "between the foot of Broadway and the neck of land near the mouth of Benson Creek." The coordinates provided here are for the later rail crossing at that general location, likely at or very close to the site of the suspension bridge.

Notes:

• Was still part of Virginia at time of completion.
• Damaged during Civil War. An article in the August 2, 1861 issue of the New York Times mentions: "A junction of our forces having now been effected, the army at once moved on to Elk River, which debouches into the Kanawha at Charleston, where the army encamped for the night. We would have crossed the stream at once, and marched through the town the same evening, but for the fact that the rebels had partially destroyed the beautiful suspension bridge which spans Elk River at this spot, rendering it unsafe for passage. Not content with burning a portion of the flooring, they nearly severed the strands which support the structure, and aid their work, too, in the most bungling manner. A more shameless piece of vandalism I never witnessed. While the army slept, a company of sappers and miners repaired the damage, and yesterday the army, nearly five thousand strong, marched through the streets of Charleston."
• Near 1884 (suspension bridge) - Charleston, West Virginia, USA.

Notes:

• Rebuilt 1857.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20009683

Notes:

• 1928: Destroyed by flood.
• Replaced by 1933 Veurey - Veurey-Voroize, Isère, France.

Notes:

• 1854: A brief article in March 22, 1854 Louisville Daily Courier states the bridge was destroyed ("rendering the whole structure useless… it cannot even be repaired") in the early 1854 flood that destroyed other Licking River bridges. However, other sources indicate the Falmouth bridge survived the flood. Unclear if it was completely destroyed and rebuilt or just damaged and repaired.
• Coordinates provided here indicate the likely location of the bridge over the main branch of the Licking River.

External Links:

• New Licking Bridge Stands On The Foundation of Its Predecessors - Rootsweb.com. Several anecdotes and snippets of history about the bridge. Indicates the bridge survived the January 1854 Licking River flood and survived until 1868.

Notes:

• Similar to 1856 Strong - Strong, Maine, USA.

Notes:

• GHD describes how Dufour designed the bridge but was replaced (for political reasons) by a novice engineer, Mr. Hug who produced his own design. The bridge collapsed under test loading.

Notes:

• Multispan 19th-century suspension bridge distinct from the two 1965 cable-stayed and catenary suspension bridges connecting Varades and Saint-Florent-le-Vieil.
• Connects to 1853 Varades - Varades, Loire-Atlantique and Saint-Florent-le-Vieil, Maine-et-Loire, France.
• Later at same location 1954 Varades - Varades, Loire-Atlantique and Saint-Florent-le-Vieil, Maine-et-Loire, France.

Notes:

• Destroyed 1944, rebuilt same year. Reconstructed 1999.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20000616

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20005655

Notes:

• Connects to 1853 Saint-Florent-le-Vieil - Saint-Florent-le-Vieil, Maine-et-Loire and Varades, Loire-Atlantique, France.
• Later at same location 1954 Varades - Varades, Loire-Atlantique and Saint-Florent-le-Vieil, Maine-et-Loire, France.

Notes:

• Was still part of Virginia at time of completion.

Notes:

• Replaced by 1877 Minneapolis - Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.
• Later at same location 1990 Hennepin Avenue (Father Louis Hennepin) - Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20052001

Notes:

• Cables renovated, 1877. Wooden stiffening trusses replaced, 1880. Towers replaced, c. 1886. Bridge replaced with steel arch, 1897.
• AAJ notes the roadway deck opened in 1854, but the railway deck did not open until 1855.
• Replaced 1848 Niagara Suspension - Niagara Falls, New York, USA and Niagara Falls, Ontario, Canada.

External Links:

• Structurae - Structure ID 20000047

Notes:

• EOV cites a source claiming the bridge was begun in 1853, but not completed until 1858. AAJ says completed in 1848. Other sources claim it was completed in 1852 and 1856.
• Was still part of Virginia at time of completion.

Notes:

• AAJ assumes completion in 1856 based on an 18-month contract let in August 1854. Appears to have been a quite dramatic bridge, with very large castellated towers, on an alignment adjacent to the current twin-arch bridge.

Notes:

• Replaced in 1890's (ONC).

Notes:

• Reviews of this bridge were not favorable. Jakkula (AAJ) sites several contemporary sources (1857) objecting to the bridge obstructing the view of the scenery. One citation is summarized: "Regards the bridge as a hideous structure".

External Links:

• Suspension iron footbridge over the lake, St James's Park, London | RIBA pix

Notes:

• Coordinates are for the current Ave River crossing at Trofa. The Ponte Pênsil da Trofa may have been located here or slightly west of here.

External Links:

• MONUMENTOS DESAPARECIDOS: A Ponte Pênsil da Trofa.
• Ponte Pênsil da Trofa (extinta) - Historias de Bolso

Notes:

• Replaced 1828 Doux - St Jean de Muzols and Tournon-sur-Rhône, Ardèche, France.

External Links:

• Deuxième pont du Doux - St Jean de Muzols - 1859

Notes:

• Out of use, 1912.

Notes:

• Don Sayenga writes:

  "It was built in great haste out of military necessity utilizing abutments and piers of an earlier wooden bridge that had been burnt by a unit of the Confederate Army commanded by Gen. John B. Floyd. This occurred just after the fight known as the Battle of Carnifex Ferry on September 10, 1861. Later the Confederate Army recaptured the bridge location and burnt the new one also. The designer/builder was John W. Murphy (1828-1874) who was working as an engineer in Alabama when the war began in 1861. He held a Civil Engineer degree from Rensselaer. Murphy's concept involved multiple factory-made wire ropes as main cables combined with wooden bracing. The exact location of the bridge seems to have been called the New River Cliffs but I haven't found this on a map. Photos of the bridge came into the possession of Prof. George Plympton, an associate of Murphy's in the latter part of his career. Plympton presented a paper about bridges in 1894 reported by The Railroad Gazette August 24. The photos were given to the Gazette - one of their artists converted the photos to pen-and-ink drawings for publication in the issue of November 9, 1894, p. 773."

  Don transcribed the following:
  
  The Railroad Gazette, August 24, 1894, Page 579.

  "Prof. Plympton then related two reminiscences of bridge building between 1852 and 1861...The other instance was the building of a military suspension bridge over the Gauley River in 1861. The government called for a bridge of sufficient strength to permit the passage of General Rosecrans corps, allowing twenty-four days' time. The abutments and piers of the former bridge remained in good condition. Murphy submitted an original plan, which was accepted. The plans were drawn up by Mr. Murphy on the cars, while he was traveling to Washington to submit his ideas to the United States army en gineers. The plans were accepted and Murphy at once went to work. Four one-inch wire ropes, laid side by side, formed his cables. A pyramidal tower was constructed of heavy timbers, and in place of suspending rods a loosely-formed truss was hung upon the cable without fastening. This truss, connected with the floor of the bridge, was finished on the 22nd day after receiving the order to build."

  Proceedings of the Franklin Institute, October 21, 1874, Page 306.

  "It was a suspension bridge 520 feet in length, 10 feet roadway, consisting of three spans, supported by eight cables. There was some doubt in the mind of the commanding officer that it would answer the purpose...To test it ...he asked that a battalion be ordered to make a charge over it, which was done, to the satisfaction of the General in command...it afterwards passed and repassed the whole command as long as they occupied that portion of the country. A change of base put it into the possession of the Confederates who burnt it down."

• An article in the July 15, 1951 edition of The Charleston Daily Mail describes the bridge and its demise:

  "After the Confederate forces had retreated and burned the old covered bridge, the Federal engineers constructed a make-shift bridge across the Gauley. There are pictures in existence showing this light, cable bridge erected on the old piers of the original bridge. This structure was cut down Sept. 11, 1862, when the Federals retreated from an attack by Confederate Gen. W. W. Loring, who routed the Unionists from the valley for a brief time."

• Jakkula has an 1862 entry for "Gauley River Bridge" with little information, citing the American Railroad Journal, Vol. 37, No. 1472, July 2, 1864, p.651: "A suspension bridge built over the Gauley River, Virginia, by the Government in 1862." It is unclear if this reference is for the same bridge.