When was it published?

October 5, 1853 in Daily Evening Star

Story October 5, 1853

Daily Evening Star

Q: What keywords are associated?

Wood Durability, Piles, London Bridge, Old Savoy Place, Trajan Bridge, Danube, Petrified Wood

Washington, District Of Columbia

View full issue View on Library of Congress PDF Page 1

What is this article about?

Historical examples of wooden piles' durability in wet conditions: London Bridge piles driven 500 years, examined sound in 1846; Old Savoy Place built 650 years ago with sound oak, elm, beech, chestnut piles; Emperor Trajan's Danube bridge piles from 1600 years ago, mostly unchanged except petrified surface.

Clipping

OCR Quality

95% Excellent

Full Text

DURABILITY OF WOOD.-The piles under the London bridge have been driven 500 years, and on examining them in 1846, they were found to be little decayed. Old Savoy place in the city of London, was built 650 years ago, and the wooden piles, consisting of oak, elm, beech, and chestnut, were found upon recent examination, to be perfectly sound. Of the durability of timber in a wet state, the piles of a bridge built by Emperor Trajan, over the Danube, affords a striking example. One of these piles was taken up and found to be petrified to the depth of three-fourths of an inch; but the rest of the wood was not different from its former state, though it had been driven 1600 years.

What sub-type of article is it?

Curiosity Historical Event

What themes does it cover?

Nature Survival

What keywords are associated?

Wood Durability Piles London Bridge Old Savoy Place Trajan Bridge Danube Petrified Wood

What entities or persons were involved?

Emperor Trajan

Where did it happen?

London; Over The Danube

Story Details

Key Persons

Emperor Trajan

Location

London; Over The Danube

Event Date

1846 And Circa 500, 650, 1600 Years Prior

Story Details

Wooden piles under London Bridge driven 500 years, little decayed in 1846 examination. Old Savoy Place built 650 years ago, oak, elm, beech, chestnut piles perfectly sound on recent examination. Trajan's Danube bridge piles driven 1600 years ago, one petrified to three-fourths inch depth but rest unchanged.