The lower chords of the bridge were 13 x 28 inches, were spaced 15 feet 1 inch apart, and rested on the cross pieces of the bents. Floor beams, 7 x 13 inches, rested on these chords and were spaced 4. The two-track stringers, 10 x 12 inches, of 28 feet long with breaking joints, supported the iron rails. The lower chords, floor beams, and stringers were to become a part of the Howe truss spans.
Many of these members were placed only a day or two before the failure. Also, the easterly approach fill was not complete for 80 feet east of the abutment, so a temporary trestle was built to span this distance.
On the surface, it appeared that the structure, being similar to other trestle bridges on the line, would be safe for the passage of trains. On the previous day, a heavily loaded gravel train crossed the bridge at what was an estimated speed of five miles per hour as a test of its load-carrying capacity.
An account of the November 1 st failure published in St. Louis newspapers is as follows,. But how soon was the scene destined to be changed! How soon were so many of those bounding hearts to be pulseless. No one dreamed that death was near, and yet it lurked for us only a few miles further on. Soon we came in sight of the bridge across the Gasconade River, about nine miles from Hermann, and about thirty-five from Jefferson City. The bridge is approached by an embankment, thirty feet high, which terminates in a massive stone abutment.
Forty yards from the abutment, and just at the edge of the river, stands another staunch stone pillar, three more of which reach to the other side of the stream and support the bridge. The river is about two hundred and fifty yards wide, and the bridge thirty feet high, at least. The Pioneer locomotive had crossed the structure safely and was waiting on the other side to see the result of our attempt. There was no fear of danger and no apprehension of peril.
We slowly moved along the embankment and came on the bridge. Email This Link. Share on Twitter. Share on Pinterest. Share on LinkedIn. Most Read. Osage Beach, Mo. Springfield Police Dept. Woman shoots year-old suspect in attempted carjacking. Latest News. Heavy police presence at Barnes and Noble in south Springfield. Woman beaten in Rountree Neighborhood likely not intended target, police say.
This content is associated with conflicts of interest. Title of my review. Your picture must respect the maximum allowed weight of 10 MB Add pictures. My ratings Value for money. I certify that this notice reflects my own experience and authentic opinion of this place, that I am not personally or professionally related to this company and that I have not received any financial or other compensation from this company for writing this review.
I also certify that I am the holder of the rights to the proposed media. Submit my opinion. Oui, je suis sur Non. When the train reached Hermann, an additional car was attached to the train and a company of uniformed soldiers and a band of musicians joined the rest of the passengers. Initially, the chief road engineer had planned to stop the train at the Gasconade River bridge, so the guests could see the new foot long structure.
Due to being behind schedule a fatal decision was made to not stop and continue on to the Jefferson City destination. When the train reached the bridge over the Gasconade River, the temporary wooden trestle work between the east bank and the first pier collapsed.
The train plunged 36 feet into the river. Only one car remained on the tracks after the disaster. The steam engine and seven cars fell through the broken timbers, with the others cars rolling down the embankment.
Over thirty individuals were killed with hundreds injured seriously. The survivors were confronted with a scene of horror. A moment of silence was soon interrupted with the hiss of the partially submerged locomotive, the shrieks of the wounded and the sounds of breaking glass and splintering wood as the trapped passengers worked to free themselves from the wreckage.
The less seriously injured passengers struggled to drag the injured and dead from the wreckage and collapsed timbers. Mangled bleeding bodies were carried in the torrents of rain to nearby shanties for shelter.
Late in the afternoon, many of the wounded were moved to Hermann where a hotel was converted to a temporary hospital. The rain continued through the night and the next day when a special hospital train was sent from St. Louis to Hermann and to the wreckage scene. Survivors with few injuries worked with railroad employees to carry bodies of the dead and load them into freight cars.
Survivors were loaded into passenger cars. The once soldiers of celebration, now crudely bandaged or carried on stretchers, overwhelmed by the atmosphere of tragedy, were relieved to be aboard a train to go back home.
But the tragedy was prolonged by the events that followed.
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