Herald Of The United States

CONNECTICUT.

SPRINGFIELD, NOV. 5.

On Wednesday last the bridge over Connecticut river, in this town, was opened to the public, toll free for the day.

The collection of people was great; and an excellent discourse was delivered on the occasion, by the Rev. Dr. Lathrop of West Springfield, to a crowded, yet highly gratified audience, at the Meeting House.

From thence a procession was formed under the direction of the officers of the Corporation, and Lieut. Swett, Commandant of the United States Artillery Stationed in this place, who acted as Marshal of the day, with great propriety.

This Bridge is pronounced by Connoisseurs in Architecture to be one of the best of its kind in America; combining in its appearance, elegance and neatness with strength and durability.

Its length is 1234 feet. Breadth 30. Height from low water 40.

It consists of six arches supported by two abutments and five piers of stone—the piers 22 feet in height from low water mark—each in breadth 21 feet and in length up and down the stream 62 feet.

Each pier and abutment contains about 200 tons of stone.

At the distance of 80 rods above the bridge, are erected two guard piers, or ice-breakers—the stone wrought into these when connected with those which are sunk—about the piers of the bridge. for their security, and those contained in the piers and abutments themselves. make an aggregate of 18,000 tons.

The length of the curve of each arch, is 187 feet, the chord 180.

This bridge is so constructed with frames upon each pier connected by long timbers with the arches, that the traveller passes over nearly the whole extent of it, on an elevated plane, affording a view of extensive landscapes, in which are blended, well cultivated fields, pleasant villages, rivers and meadows—lofty mountains, and indeed a wildness and variety in the beauties of nature, which is highly gratifying to the eye.