DELAYS IN WORK - Construction Of Bridges - The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954) - 3 Jul 1942 (original) (raw)

Loading article contents, please wait...

Fri 3 Jul 1942 - The Mercury (Hobart, Tas. : 1860 - 1954)
Page 3 - DELAYS IN WORK

The floating portion of the

Hobart Bridge has been joined

in two arched lengths at the

moorings at Geilston Bay, and

is ready for thc completion of

the lift span to make it possible

to float it into position, accord-

ing to a report furnished the

Minister for Lands and Works -

The report states that construction

work was progressing favourably,

although delays at the main abut-

ment had slowed it down. The first

half of the abutment had been ex-

cavated to solid rock bottom, and

concrete carried above river level.

Work was proceeding on the second

half, and excavation was down to

an average depth of 106ft. below the

surface. Solid foundation rock

had been almost reached in the

deepest parts, although the work was

necessarily slow on account of the

great depth. It was hoped the bot-

tom would be ready for concrete

The steel frame of the uplifting

truss had been completed, and the

erection of the operating machinery

was in hand. Work on decking and

on thc machinery house was pro-

ceeding. The remainder of the steel

work for the second tower ramps

and links was almost completely

In a report on the Bridgewater

Bridge, the Minister was informed

that, because all steel workers were

required for defence works, and

the fact that certain equipment was

not obtainable, work was suspended

some months ago. At the time the

erection of the southern tower had

been completed, and two coats of

paint applied to all steel work.

Road traffic, under military con-

trol, had been able to use the new

bridge for some months, with the

northern span operated for one-way

traffic. When a few steel workers

became available shortly it was

hoped to complete the yard fabri-

cation of the north tower.

The two-plate girders which were

in temporary use as part of the

crane would be dismantled when

the north tower was completed, and

placed in position on the northern

span of the bridge. This would en-

able two-way traffic to use the whole

length of the bridge. The work

mentioned was expected to occupy

damage to tanks of oil and

spirit, which ignited. While

thc fires were being fought

thc enemy attacked with ma-

bombs were dropped on the

site. Harold William Hep-

tinstall, B.E.M., acting fire

chief, climbed on to a portion

of the damaged holder which

burning spirit tank, and dir-

ected a foam jet into the

fire. His leadership encour-

aged his men to take up posi-

tions, and eventually the fire

was extinguished. Hcptin-

stall showed courage without

regard to his own safety. It

was not until thc fires were

put out and he had seen his

men safely away that he dis-

closed he bad been injured

by the blast of an explosion.

He was appointed a member

of the Civil Division of the

Order of thc British Empire.