3-021-164 - The Print Collector/Heritage Images

Grand River Railway-Bridge, Mauritius, destroyed by the late hurricane, 1868. 'The hurricane blew down two sections (each weighing 124 tons) of the railway bridge over Grand River, three miles from Port Louis. This bridge is about 620 ft. in length, and is composed of two iron tubes - one about 250 ft. and the other 370 ft. - supported by six columns 120 ft. high. The tubes, or girders, are 9 ft. square, and are unfortunately open at the bottom, which gave the wind a greater purchase. The consequence was, that the smallest of the tubes (250 ft.) was blown off the columns, to which it was not fixed, nor was it joined to the other girders, as the weight was thought sufficient to keep it in its place. The columns supporting the girders are circular, and of iron filled with concrete; they are not in the least injured. Arrangements have been made to continue the railway service from the other side of the river, the starting-point being three miles from Port Louis; and it is contemplated hereafter to run trains from Port Louis to the river, and to erect a temporary bridge, that passengers may pass over to the station on the other side. The railway workshop and some of the machinery are much damaged'. From "Illustrated London News", 1868.