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Bridging the Gap
Early Bridges in New Zealand 1830-1939
Author Geoffrey Thornton, Reviewed by Dorothy - 13/09/02
This book describes bridges still in use like the Makatote Viaduct and the
Awatere River road and railway bridge, important bridges that have been
replaced, like the Waitaki road and railway bridge in the South Island, and
those that have been retained for special interest, like the Percy Burn
Viaduct used by trampers on the Hump Track in the Waitutu Forest in
Southland.
The author gives clear descriptions of the designs and of the circumstances
of their construction. The text is amply illustrated with 270 photographs
of interesting bridges from the north to the south of New Zealand, both
bridges still in use and some that no longer exist.
What gave Geoffrey Thornton his lifelong interest in bridges?
The author tells this story in the Preface to his book. His father was a
civil engineer and shared his interest in bridges with his son. When
Geoffrey was a small boy living at Paeroa he watched a bridge being built
over the Ohinemuri River very near his home and his father's next job was
in charge of the building of the Kopu Bridge over the Waihou River - a long
bridge with a swing span to make way for the river steamers travelling to
Paeroa.
In 1940 Geoffrey joined the Public Works Department (PWD) as a cadet. He
served with the Engineers in the Second New Zealand Expeditionary Force
(2NZEF).
Training as an architect
On his return from war service Geoffrey chose to study not engineering, but
architecture at the University of Auckland. He was greatly impressed by
The Architecture of Bridges, a book by Elizabeth Mock, published
by the Museum of Modern Art in New York. This led to years of studying and
photographing New Zealand bridges.
He returned to the PWD and his career there took him to various parts of
New Zealand. In 1980 he retired and has spent much of his retirement on
research, photography and writing, publishing New Zealand's Industrial
Heritage (1982), The New Zealand Heritage of Farm Buildings
(1986) and Cast in Concrete: Concrete construction in New Zealand
(1996).
Support from the Hopkins Lecture Fund
The publication of Bridging the Gap was supported by the Hopkins
Lecture Fund and the family of the late Professor Harry Hopkins. The fund
was set up in 1978 to mark the retirement of Professor Harry Hopkins as
Head of the Department of Civil Engineering at the University of
Canterbury. It recognises his outstanding service to the University and to
the Institution of Professional Engineers New Zealand (IPENZ).
It is an appropriate book to be sponsored by the Fund as Professor Hopkins
also had a lifelong interest in bridges, lecturing on the topic and
publishing A Span of Bridges, covering the theory and history of
bridge building over the centuries. He was working on research for a
history of New Zealand bridges when he died in 1986. Although Geoffrey
Thornton never met Professor Hopkins he was given the chance to review his
material by David Hopkins, Professor Hopkins' son, and acknowledges
important information from that source which he has incorporated into this
book.
Structure of the book
The book begins with an overview of the development of bridge building
mainly in England and New Zealand and then each chapter deals with a
different type of bridge structure - beam and girder, truss, suspension,
cantilever, movable and arch bridges.
A wide range of examples
Geoffrey Thornton includes both old bridges still in use and some that have
since been replaced, bridges on main highways or country roads, bridges in
town and country, well-known bridges and some seemingly insignificant
bridges that have attracted his connoisseur's eye and become of interest on
reading about their design and their history.
One of the oldest bridges still in use in New Zealand - the Helmores
Lane Bridge
As an example of the simple beam bridge Thornton cites the Helmores Lane
Bridge on the Avon River in Christchurch built privately in 1864 by Joseph
Cornish Helmore - one of the oldest bridges still in use in New Zealand.
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The Helmores Lane Bridge on the Avon River in Christchurch
Photo source Peter Hunt
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A garden bridge at Mona Vale also over the Avon River in
Christchurch
A significant feature is that decorative timberwork hides the simple beam
construction and the use of steel for the beams.
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Mona Vale bridge
Photo source Peter Hunt
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A historic bridge now used only by foot traffic - the Percy Burn Viaduct
A much larger example of the simple beam bridge is the 36 metre high Percy
Burn Viaduct, the largest of the timber viaducts built in Waitutu Forest in
Southland for the Port Craig Tramway. The Department of Conservation (DOC)
now has responsibility for this bridge used by many trampers.
The Waitaki River road and rail bridge now replaced
A much used early metal girder bridge was the Waitaki River road and rail
bridge. The ironwork was imported from England and the bridge cost £76,000
which was a huge amount at that time, but when it opened in 1876 it
provided a vitally important link between Canterbury and Otago. It has
since been replaced by separate road and rail bridges.
The Awatere River double decker combined road-rail bridge near
Seddon
This bridge was designed by Peter Seton Hay and Scott Brothers
were the contractors. The tender price for the work was £22,001 18 6d. The
bridge opened in 1902. It consists of one plate girder of 13.4 m, two
curved plate girders of 18.3 m, two lattice trusses of 22.9 m, and eight of
27.4 m. Concrete-filled cast iron cylinders and concrete abutments form
the foundations. An extra sum of £1118 was spent on providing a windbreak
for the top deck which is used by the trains.
Makatote Viaduct, North Island Main Trunk Line
Peter Seton Hay was the designer for this bridge too. It is 12 km south of
National Park in heavy bush and gorge country, and was a huge engineering
undertaking. Geoffrey Thornton gives a most interesting account of how the
contractors, J & A Anderson of Christchurch, overcame the problems involved
in building this viaduct which at 79 m is the highest on this line. After
three years' work the viaduct was opened in 1908.
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Makatote Viaduct
Photo Peter Hunt
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The Bridge of Remembrance over the Avon River in Christchurch
Geoffrey Thornton considers the Bridge of Remembrance the most impressive
of the memorial bridges erected in New Zealand. It was built as memorial
to soldiers who had died in World War I and replaced the bridge over which
the soldiers had marched from the King Edward Barracks to the Railway
Station. The bridge spans the river with a 15 m segmental arch and a tall
overhead arch was built at the eastern end of the bridge with smaller
arches on the sides for pedestrians. Lions couchant are carved above the
smaller arches and the structure is covered with Tasmanian stone. The
bridge is now closed to vehicles and stands at the end of a pedestrian
mall.
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The Bridge of Remembrance over the Avon River in Christchurch
(Click here for a larger version)
Photo source Robert Hunt
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No map included
In my view the one feature lacking in this book is a map which would enable
travellers to have a simple way of choosing which bridges to study before a
journey.
A beautiful volume of wide appeal
This book is not just for readers who are interested in engineering
structures or those delving into local history, but it is of great interest
for travellers in New Zealand as an enrichment of their journeys. It will
accompany us now on all car trips. It is not a compact travel guide, but a
large and beautifully presented volume to be read in advance of your
travels if the volume and weight of your luggage is a consideration.
Do take the name and the details to your bookshop or library.
Bridging the Gap
Early Bridges in New Zealand 1830-1939
Geoffrey Thornton
Published by Reed Books, a division of Reed Publishing (NZ) Ltd
39 Rawene Rd, Birkenhead, Auckland 10
ISBN 0 7900
First published 2001
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