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Viaduct over the Taptee, for the Bombay, Baroda, and Central India Railway, 1862. Creator: Unknown
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Viaduct over the Taptee, for the Bombay, Baroda, and Central India Railway, 1862. Creator: Unknown
Viaduct over the Taptee, near Surat, for the Bombay, Baroda, and Central India Railway, 1862. 'This line, one of the most important of our Indian railways...is destined to carry to Bombay the produce of the teeming cotton-plains from which our finest Indian staple is procured...By employing Mitchell's hollow cast-iron piles...[the company's consulting engineer, Colonel Pitt Kennedy] at once overcame the most serious difficulty...Three of these piers of piles...having been firmly screwed home into the clay or shale...were filled with concrete, and formed the main supporting columns of the bridge, while strut or sloping piles...served...to resist the action of the fierce monsoon currents, and fend off the whirling masses of timber and loose trees so frequently torn up and carried down by the swollen torrents...This whole system of piles...form a firm, rigid pier, on which is supported the light lattice superstructure known as Warrenne's patent girder...The regularity and uniformity of all its parts enabled the natives (who are not quick at learning new methods), after a few trials, to become wonderfully expert, and attain a speed of construction almost marvellous. The entire structure over the Taptee...was put together in eight months'. From "Illustrated London News", 1862
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Media ID 38074803
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EDITORS COMMENTS
This stunning print captures the impressive Viaduct over the Taptee, near Surat, built for the Bombay, Baroda, and Central India Railway in 1862. The railway line was described as one of the most important in India at that time, playing a crucial role in transporting cotton from the fertile plains to Bombay.
The innovative construction of this viaduct is highlighted in the caption, with Colonel Pitt Kennedy's use of Mitchell's hollow cast-iron piles overcoming significant challenges. The piers of piles filled with concrete formed sturdy supporting columns for the bridge, while sloping piles helped resist strong monsoon currents and debris carried by swollen torrents.
The efficiency and precision of this construction method allowed even local workers to quickly master it, leading to a remarkably fast completion time of just eight months for the entire structure over the Taptee river. The lattice superstructure supported by Warrenne's patent girder added a touch of elegance to this engineering marvel.
This print serves as a testament to both colonial-era engineering ingenuity and skilled craftsmanship that went into building vital infrastructure like railways in 19th-century India. It stands as a reminder of our shared history and heritage that continues to shape modern transportation systems today.
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