The New Hampshire Gazette

PORTSMOUTH, Dec. 9.

Piscataqua-Bridge leading from Newington over Piscataqua river to Durham, is now passable, and in a few days will be completely finished, its distance from Portsmouth is seven miles, from Dover four; the river which it crosses is of a great depth, in most places about fifty-two feet at high water; the whole length of the Bridge is 2362 feet, width 38.

This piece of architecture has been under the management of Thomas Thompson & John Pierce, Esquires, agents appointed by the directors; it consists of two principal parts, the first is a pile bridge, carried from Newington shore to Rock-Island, the second is an arch from Rock-Island to Goat-Island, the third from Goat-Island to Durham shore, is similar to the first, supported on piles of great length, from fifty-five to sixty-three feet, driven into the bed of the river by large hammers of oak timber, braced and framed on a new and improved plan. Mr. Enos Whiting, of Norwich in Connecticut has had the superintendance of the pile work, which is finished in a strong and workmanlike manner. He has also constructed a draw for the passage of shipping, which moves across in a horizontal direction, instead of being raised on hinges, but it is feared this expected improvement will not answer the purpose.

The arch is supported on two abutments, the one on Rock-Island, the other on Goat-Island, the chord of this arch between the two abutments, where the water passes is two hundred and forty-four feet six inches in length, it is composed of three tier of girders or arches, the crown of the lower one next the water is sixteen feet from the chord, and twenty feet from high water. The second tier supports the planking on which the road passes, which is on a larger circle to facilitate the travelling. The third tier or cap pieces forms the top railing of the Bridge, which is handsomely ornamented. The length of the arch being much greater than there was any satisfactory account, appeared at first a very formidable difficulty, but its present great strength and firmness is equal to the most sanguine expectation, and sufficient to answer every purpose.

Mr. Timothy Palmer of Newbury-Port, in Massachusetts was the architect, who contrived and presented the model on a plan entirely new, and under whose sole directions this accurate and beautiful piece of mechanism was executed. The model of Merrimac-Bridge was had from the same person, who from his knowledge of the theory and practical part of this sort of mechanics may justly be considered as one of the most ingenious architects of the present age.

A convenient tavern-house and stables are erected at the expense of the proprietors on Goat-Island, for the accommodation of travellers. The road is now very direct, and from the exertions of the towns, contiguous to it, is put in good order. This road and bridge being on the great route from Portland, through Dover to Newbury-Port and Boston, will greatly accommodate all who pass that way.

The work for building this Bridge was begun in April last, since which as much as three thousand tons of oak timber, two thousand tons pine timber, eighty thousand four inch plank, twenty tons iron, eight thousand tons stones have been used, and a suitable number of hands employed. Such exertions reflect great honor on the agents, and others concerned for completing in so short a time, so great a work.